The general vowel change observed in the production of the sentence /wʌt taim du ju hæv tu goʊ tu klæs/ is an example of which phenomenon?

The phenomenon described in the sentence /wʌt taim du ju hæv tu goʊ tu klæs/ involves vowel centralization. This occurs when vowels are produced nearer to the center of the vowel space compared to their standard pronunciation, typically as a result of speech rate and contextual factors. In fast or casual speech, speakers often centralize vowels to ease articulation, which can make the speech sound more relaxed and less precise.

Centralization is particularly evident in unstressed syllables or words, where the articulatory precision is less critical. As speakers attempt to maintain fluency and speed, they've been observed to shift the quality of the vowel sounds toward a more neutral position, often resulting in a reduction of vowel clarity. Thus, in the context of this sentence, vowels may become more centralized due to the fast pace of speech, which illustrates this phenomenon accurately.