Scott,

An addendum to what I sent earlier.  "Hafta," "gonna," and "wanna" are analogous cases of grammaticalization involving infinitival "to."  Phonologically they are entirely natural, /f/ devoicing to /v/ before /t/ and with /t/ either deleting after a nasal or laxing to the alveolar tap and nasalizing from the nasal, which then deletes.  Both pronunciations are found.  "Wanna," incidentally, is distinct from "wanta" in that we can say "Who do you wanta go" but not "Who do you wanna go."  You may substitute "whom" in these as the correct accusative subject form, but I find that a stretch even in formal English.

Herb
-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scott
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 8:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NOT A PAST PERFECT QUESTION

Is there a special terminology that would refer to the s/z sound
distinction in the word 'used' in the following sentences:

My grandfather used to make 'moonshine" from wild plums.

My grandfather used wild plums to make 'moonshine." 

I use an /s/ in the first sentence and a /z/ in the second.

P.S.  He called his concoction "moonshine" and visitors loved it.

Scott Catledge

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