Hong Kong + Taiwanese — HK2 : 310
S1 = Taiwanese female
S2 = Hong Kong male
Context: S2 is talking about the unexpected cold weather that sometimes occurs in northern Texas.
S2 : ... so it’s terrible. and then they n:o you know snow plough truck you know
S1 : mm
S2 : so they just let you know the (.) snow become ice freeze and then they close down the (.) university. then the northern part of you know <1> america </1>
S1 : <1> mm </1>
S2 : they all you know the
S1 : mm
S2 : er: snow plough truck (.) and (.) never close <2> down </2> the university @
S1 : <2> mm </2>
S2 : except really (1.0) snow storm
S1 : mm
S2 : then they would
S1 : so (.) are you the only n- artist in your family?
Intended Words : plough, close
Heard as : power, goes
Discussion : In both these words, there is no [l] after the initial plosive.
It is usual for S1 to say 'mm' when she can't understand something, to encourage the speaker to continue, in the hope it will become clearer in time. But in this case, there is so much she does not understand that she changes the topic instead, asking about S2's background in becoming an artist.