Jennifer Tarle's Blog, page 134
February 2, 2014
Letters versus Sounds
English has 26 letters in the alphabet, or in written form. Spoken English has over 40 sounds. What a difference, right? No wonder that spelling is so confusing and makes deciphering pronunciation difficult. Take a look at the letter A. It can be pronounced long as in MAKE, short as in MATT, and in a
January 26, 2014
How to say -CIAN, -TION, -SION
Today’s question is from a Japanese viewer: “Are -cian, -tion, -sion endings all pronounced the same?” Yes, they are pronounced SHUN. beautician clinician politician abbreviation action temptation omission concision conclusion
January 19, 2014
How to say SHARE, CARE, BARE, and FARE
Today’s question is from a YouTube viwer: ”How to pronounce share, care, bare, and fare?” SHARE, CARE, BARE, and FARE all have the AIR sound that you hear in HAIR. In fact, BARE and BEAR are pronounced the same. FARE and FAIR are pronounced the same, too. To make the AIR sound, open your mouth
January 12, 2014
How to say NG
Today’s question comes from a website visitor from Russia: “I’d like you to add some examples with some gerunds. I’ve got some problems with the double “ng”: - Singing, hanging, etc. I can’t understand whether you (the Americans) pronounce the sound “g” after the first “ng” (I’m sorry that I can’t picture some sounds): 1.
January 5, 2014
Schedule your seminar today
I am starting to schedule my summer seminars for 2014. Contact me today to host a pronunciation seminar in Chicago, through out the US, or your country. If you have expressed an interest in hosting, be sure to finalize your dates today. What: Tailor the seminar to meet the needs of your group Learn
How to say DIAMOND
Our first question of the new year comes from China: “Hi, Tarle, Could you please make a video on how to pronounce “diamond”? It is pronounced ['daɪəmənd] in Longman dictionary, but I hear people say ['daɪmənd]. Which one is common in American English? Thank you.” In American English, I hear DIE-MUND, ['daɪmənd
December 29, 2013
How to say CAREER and KOREA
Our question today is from China: “Hi, Tarle, Thanks for your great videos. Could you please make a lesson on “how to pronounce: Career and Korea”? I pronounce them almost the same. Thanks.” Sure, the main difference are the beats or syllables in the words. CAREER is pronounced Ka-REAR and has 2
December 19, 2013
Leave preferred items in sight but out of reach
A great way to encourge requests is to tempt a child. Children must have a reason to communicate. If a child is not talking much, often times, caregivers tend to meet their needs. Then a vicious cycle occurs. You meet the needs. The child takes the items. The child never has to communicate. Try one of
December 15, 2013
How to say BATCH and BADGE
Our question today is from a Spanish speaking YouTube viewer: “Thank you. Could you make a video about badge and batch, please. To be honest I can’t see the difference. Thanks again!” The main difference is the last sound: J and CH. Badge is pronounced B, AH, J BATCH is pronounced B,
December 8, 2013
How to say LIBRARIAN
Today’s question is from a podcast viewer in Japan: “Hi, Can you tell me how to pronounce the word “Librarian” ? Sure. The word LIBRARIAN is pronounced Lie-brair-ee-un Start by touching your teeth for the L then add the long I sound. Move to a B by closing your lips, add the R then the
