UNDERSTANDING ENGLISH

PRONUNCIATION
April 2, 2008
Viewed 2447 times.

Pronounciation:
UNDERSTANDING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION (Part 1)
THE SOUNDS OF ENGLISH
- There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet, including five vowel letters : a , e , i , o
, u . And twenty-one consonant letters : b , c , d , f , g , h , j ,k , l , m , m , p , q , r , s , t , v , w ,
x , y , z.
- There are , however , over forty sounds used to speak English.
- Because there are more sounds in spoken English than there are letters in written English ,
dictionaries and pronunciation text books use symbols to represent each of the different
sounds.
- It is not necessary to memory all the sound symbols of English , however it is very helpful
to understand how your dictionary uses symbols English sounds.
THE IMPORTANCE OF "STRESS" IN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION
- As well as understanding and recognizing the different sounds of English, it's important to
understand how stress is used in English to show meaning.
- In English , some parts of words are spoken more strongly or loudly than others . This is
called WORD STRESS. The meaning of a word may be affected by the way the word is
stressed.
Ex: Present (gift) and Present (give, show)
- You may use your dictionary , It will provide very useful information on how to stress
words correctly. Dictionaries use various ways to show which part of a word should be
stressed.
- Stress within utterances : As well as understanding how stress in used in words , it's
important to understand how stress is used within utterances. An utterance is a spoken
message. It can be a complete sentence or one or two words.
Ex: " Oh.... no!. "

-In English , speakers stress the words which give information. In order to speak any
language correctly, it's necessary to hear and distinguish the sound of the language correctly.
How we hear sounds is related to the way we pronounce sounds.
Ex: living >< leaving
cap >< cup
full >< fool
desk >< disk
mouth >< mouse
pairs >< bears
pen >< pain
worked >< walked
rice >< race
want >< won't
long >< wrong
men >< man
- Word stress helps the listener to recognize words correctly. The following words are spelt
the same but are stressed differently , producing different meanings.
Ex: presnt >< prsent
dsert >< desrt
bject >< objct
prduce >< prodce
rcord >< recrd
- In English conversation, speaker stress some words more strongly than others. The stressed
words help the listener to focus on the important information in the utterance.
Ex: Could you tell me where the bank is please?.
Yes, on 23rd street, on the left , near the library.
- When spoken at natural conversational speed, English words are not always heard
distinctly, but are often linked together.

Understanding English Pronunciation (Part 2)

LANGUAGE STUDY
- Studying a new language can be a challenge. Some language learners worry very much if
listeners have trouble understanding their accent or when people mutter expressions they
don't understand. But with a plan of action and regular practice, most people can reach a good
standard of communication in a second language. Pronunciation practice is an important
matter when studying a new language, as incorrect pronunciation can cause
misunderstandings. The plan of most adult language learners however , isn't to match the
pronunciation of native speakers but to have comfortable communication in everyday
business and social situations.
- When studying a new language, it's important to remember that making mistakes is a
natural part of learning. Being an active, rather than a passive learner means using every
opportunity to practise your language skills, so be prepared to ask for help and correction.
Most people are happy to help learners with the pronunciation or meaning of an unfamiliar
word. (e.g. All of instructors and friends in ESE community ). Studying a new language can
be a challenge but it can also be a wonderful way of meeting new friends and learning about
other cultures.
* Sound /ae/ and /^/
- Sound /ae/ as in the word : fan.
Ex : challenge, accent, standard, matter, plan, practice, match, active.
- Sound /^/ as in the word : fun.
Ex : some, worry, much, trouble, mutter, other, cultures.
Syllables in words.
- Spoken words are formed with syllables. A syllable is formed when individual sounds are
pronounced together to make one unit of unbroken sound within a word.
- In order to pronounce an English word correctly , you need to know how many syllables it
contains.
EXTENDED ON LANGUAGE STUDY
- Just as an actor or actress needs to study and practise a new accent in order to act in a
natural way, so you too as a language learner, must become a language analyst. As well as
learning new words and grammar, you must adapt to a new category of sounds. As an adult
learner you'll also need to practise new ways of moving your tongue and understand how
small changes in your changes in your voice can change the meaning. It's also important to be
aware of the relationship between English spelling and pronunciation.
- Success in language learning isn't a matter of luck. You need lots of practice!. Lack of
practice is the main reason for lack of progress. Of course , don't expect result in a hurry.

Learning a language takes more than a couple of months. Having access to the right
equipment will encourage you to practise. You'll need a dictionary that gives clear examples
of pronunciation and access to audio equipment so you can record your speech and check
your improvement. It's also important to have a positive attitude to the experience of
language study.
Analysing the sounds
* Words with the sound /ae/ (as fan ) : accent, analyst, adapt, lack, category, attitude.
* Words with the sound /^/ (as fun ) : tongue, luck , encourage, result, hurry.
The link between spoken and written English
Spelling lists:
- The sound /ae/ is almost always spelt with the letter "a".
Ex: accent, active, match, plan, practice, language
- Ways of spelling the sound /^/
"u" : much, understand, culture.
"o" : some, come, money.
"ou" : trouble, country, young.
CONTRACTIONS
- In spoken English, some words may be difficult to hear because they are linked to other
words. Some linked words are called "contractions".
Ex: Instead of saying " I am" , speakers say " I'm".
- The linked words are often pronounced as one syllable , but not always.

Understanding English Pronunciation (Part 3)

OTHER CULTURES
- What is culture?. Culture means the way of living of a particular group of people. People
from different cultures grow up with different customs, beliefs and values. For example, if
you travel from one country to another, you'll probably find the people do some things very
differently to the ways you are familiar with in your culture. Culture is usually passed from
parent to children for many generations, so people sometimes believe that their culture is the
correct way to live.

- Do you think everyone in the world should do things as you do them in your culture or are
you open-minded about other customs?. Many people believe that learning about other
cultures can be educational and rewarding.
FOCUS ON PRONUNCIATION
- English pronunciation consist of stressed and unstressed syllables. Using stressed and
unstressed sounds correctly is an important part of English pronunciation.
- The unstressed sound is represented in the dictionary with the symbol /a/. The sound /a/ ,
which is called "schwa" , is the most commonly used sound in English.
Ex: Trvel.
Wlcome.
Pople.
Belifs.
abut.
corrct.
- The first or the second syllable is an unstressed , weak sound.
- The stressed or unstressed syllables are used in spoken language to create the rhythm of
English.
- In spoken English , words with stressed syllable tend to occur with a regular rhythm ,
similar to the beat in music.
- In music, some sounds are long and loud, some sounds are short and soft. In spoken English
, stressed words ( words with stressed syllable ) are spoken more clearly and loudly then the
other words in the sentence. Stressed words convey the main message of the speaker.
- Words that do not carry the main message of the speaker are unstressed. The unstressed
syllables are reduced to fit between the stressed syllables. This mean they are spoken quickly
and softly.
- The important thing to remember is that in spoken English , only words that give important
information are stressed by the speaker.
Practise the rhythm of English
Clapping your hand on the stressed syllables marked :
" What is culture?. Culture means the way of livingof aparticular group of people."
-> Can you hear that there is about the same length of time between the stressed syllables.

* Stressing every word ( or syllable) in a sentence can make a person sound unfriendly or
angry to listeners.
- Incorrect stress patterns can make it difficult for listeners to understand you. Remember
stressed syllables are in the words that give information - the content words.
- When speak English , you can help your listeners to understand you by stressing only the
important words - the words that give the important information.
- Words such as " the , of , a , an , from , and , to , are " may generally reduced. This mean
they are spoken quickly and softly - they are unstressed or weak.
EXTENDING ON "OTHER CULTURE"
- Learning about another culture doesn't have to mean agreeing with the customs, beliefs and
values of that culture. However , by being tolerant of other people's customs, problems
between people of different cultures may be prevented. Intercultural problems often occur
because people don't know about the customs and beliefs od people from other cultures.
People may not be aware that behaviour that is acceptable in their culture may be offensive in
another culture. By knowing about the customs and values of the people we meet , we can
avoid intercultural misunderstandings and problems.
- Can you think of a custom of your culture that travellers would need to know about , if they
were going to travel to your native country or meet people from your culture?.

UNDERSTANDING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION_Syllables are

pronounced incorrect.

PRONOUNCING THE LETTERS "TH" CORRECTLY

Ex:They thank their mothers. Then they thanked both brothers.
- The letters "th" can be pronounced in two different ways :
1> " TH " can be pronounced using burst breath. You may use a tissue, put in front of your
mouth , then pronounce : " Think , thank , both , with , mouth..". You will see the tissue flies
away.
* PUT YOUR TONGUE BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. BLOW AIR GENTLY BETWEEN
YOUR TONGUE AND TEETH *
2> " TH " can be pronounced without using burst breath. The same way above, you will see
the tissue is not flew away.
Ex: Then , they , their , this , that ,...etc..

DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SOUNDS /s/ , /t/ and /8/.

- Some people have difficultly distinguishing between the sounds /s/ , /t/ and /8/.
Ex:Mouth /8/ _ Mouse /s/
Thing /8/ _ Sing /s/
Thought /8/ _ taught /t/
Thin /8/ _ Tin /t/
* BE CAREFUL WITH THIS SYLLABLES MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE TO
PRONOUNCE THE ENDING SOUND CLEARLY AND DISTINGUISH THE
DIFFERENT SYLLABLES. IF NOT SURE, YOU MAY USE DICTIONARIES OR ASK
PEOPLE WHO KNOW WELL. *
THE WORDS : "WORK" , "WORD" , "WORLD" and "WALK"
- There are many people always pronounce these words incorrectly. You may practice and
distinguish carefully.
- As you know, the syllable " " in VNmese. We will start from this. Using the ground rule
of pronunciation in VNmese :
+ Step 1:
+ Step 2: w + = w
+ Step 3: w + r = wr
+ Step 4:
wr + d = wrd = word.
wr + k = wrk = work.
+ Step 5:
wr + l = wrl >>> THEN wrl + d = wrld = world.
(This word makes many people confused, so pay attention to this word carefully).
* MAKE SURE that you have to pronounce all the syllables in these words.
- The word : " WALK" = /wo:k/
THE WORDS : "ALL" , "CALL" , "MALL" , "WALL" , "HALL"...etc.

- To pronounce all these words correctly , you have to remember that sound "L" is not sound
"N", DONOT pronounce these words as /o:n/ or /ko:n/ or /mo:n/...etc..
- An simple example for you to practice these words : Open your mouth comfortably , then
say :
o ooo...... <<< as a chicken is singing .
- This will help you to pronounce those words above correctly.
* Do this again :
o ooo... >> keep that sound: "o" >> then read: "ol" = o:l = ALL
o ooo... >>>> the same way, read ko:l = CALL
o ooo... >>>> mo:l = MALL
o ooo... >>>> wo:l = WALL
o ooo... >>>> ho:l = HALL
etc.
- OR you can use another way, if you are a VNmese you may know a food in Vn , " c kho"
(This makes me hungry ). Then , pronounce as above:
C kho.............ALL.
C kho.............CALL.
C kho.............MALL.
C kho.............WALL.
C kho.............HALL.
etc.
* MAKE SURE that you have to pronounce the Ending Sound well.
THE WORDS : "ALWAYS" and "ALRIGHT"
- REMEMBER THAT , AS I REMINDED ABOVE : SOUND "L" IS NOT SOUND "N".
AND THE GROUND RULE OF PRONUNCIATION_Plus the syllables. THEN, "always"
and "alright" can be pronounced :
ALWAYS : o + l + ways = /o:lweiz/
ALRIGHT : o + l + right = / o:lrait/

- The same ways for words are prefixed with "AL----".