Jennifer Tarle's Blog, page 78
November 1, 2017
Pronunciation Question: Can you explain why the sound /a/ is different in cash and wash?
Today’s pronunciation question is: “Can you explain why the sound /a/ is different in cash and wash?”
Sure. That is a great question! I will respond in two parts:
1. why the same vowel is different in two words
2. why the same vowel in the same word is different at times
Why is the same vowel sound different between two words?
Speech sounds, especially vowels which do not have a specific “place” of articulation (i.e. your tongue does not touch a specific place in the mouth), are influenced by the sounds around it. A /w/ sound is a semi vowel meaning it has properties of BOTH vowels and consonants. So the /w/ sound influences the /a/ sound making it sound slightly different. In this case, the vowel will be made with more rounded lips than it would in the word cash.
This also happens in words with sounds made through the nose like M, N, NG. The vowel becomes a bit nasal. This would result in the /a/ in can sounding different than the /a/ in cab.
Why are the same vowel pronounced differently in different sentences or at different times?
In English, we stress syllables or words by making the vowel longer. This makes even the vowel in the same word sound different depending on stress. For instance, You make a lot of CASH versus You make a LOT of cash. The vowel in the stressed CASH will be longer than in the unstressed cash.
How to say Choke & Joke
Take this quick ESL pronunciation speaking lesson to learn how to pronounce the words: CHOKE and JOKE. These words have a slight difference in pronunciation making them confusing to say. Improve your speaking today with this short video lesson.
CHOKE: CH-long o-K
JOKE: J-long o-K
Need more help, then buy a sound package with directions on how to say the sound, audio examples, video examples, and practice word and sentence lists.
CH: http://www.tarlespeech.com/product/th...
J: http://www.tarlespeech.com/product/th...
long o: http://www.tarlespeech.com/product/lo...
K: http://www.tarlespeech.com/product/th...
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October 30, 2017
Difference between WITCH and WHICH
This question comes from a podcast subscriber from Panama: “Could you tell us if the words WHICH and WITCH are pronounced the same? Thank you. Saludos desde Panamá.”
Hello Panama! Thanks for the question. What a perfect question for today, Halloween.
WITCH and WHICH are pronounced the same. Both words have three sounds: W-short i-CH.
Happy Halloween!
Speech: What sounds should my 4 year old say?
Your four year old should be able to say most sounds including:
m
n
ng
p
b
t
d
k
g
l
f
h
w
ya
j
Most people, even unfamiliar adults, should be able to understand your child. Speech doesn’t have to be perfect, just understandable. If other’s are unable to understand your child’s speech then a speech assessment may be warrented.
October 24, 2017
How to Pronounce ROCK and RACK – American English Pronunciation Lesson
Learn how to pronounce the English words ROCK and RACK correctly with this American English pronunciation lesson.
ROCK has three sounds: R-short o-K. It rhymes with block, dock, hawk, jock, lock, mock, sock, knock.
RACK has three sounds: R-short a-K. It rhymes with back, hack, Jack, lack, mac, knack, pack, sack, tack, yak.
Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language guides you through a quick pronunciation lesson with quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time. Reduce your accent, speak clearly, and gain confidence when you speak English today!
October 23, 2017
How to say WEST and REST
Learn how to pronounce the English words WEST and REST correctly with this American English pronunciation lesson.
Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language guides you through a quick pronunciation lesson with quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time. Improve your accent and speak clearly with this ESL English pronunciation lesson.
WEST and REST rhyme so only the first sound is different. These words also rhyme with best, chest, jest, messed, nest, pest, test, vest, zest.
WEST: W-short e-ST
REST: R-short e-ST
October 22, 2017
How to say BOOT and BOAT – American English Pronunciation Lesson
Learn how to pronounce the English words BOOT /but/ and BOAT /bot/ correctly with this American English pronunciation lesson.
Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language guides you through a quick pronunciation lesson with quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time. Reduce your accent and speak clearly with this ESL English pronunciation lesson.
BOOT /but/ is pronounced b-long oo-t. It rhymes with hoot, root, toot.
BOAT /bot/ is pronounced b-long o-t. It rhymes with coat, goat, moat, note, wrote, tote, vote.
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October 18, 2017
Pronunciation Training According to Motor Learning Principals
What is the best way to learn new pronunciation according to motor learning principals?
Learning a new accent requires that you
1. Learn how to position of your mouth
2. Master the smoothness and accuracy of movements
This type of learning is referred to as motor learning since it involves movement. Motor learning principals suggest that an external focus, how to make a sound, aids learning. That is why all of our books start with HOW to say a sound.
Motor learning must quickly move from this external focus, to a more reflective, internal focus. An internal focus, or how you perceive the sound, establishes a pattern. That is why our programs QUICKLY move to you reflecting on the new production. How do you sound? How does your mouth feel? Do you think you are correct? This type of reflection will make your new way of speaking quickly become second nature.
October 17, 2017
How to Pronounce YEAR, GEAR, JEER – American English Pronunciation Lesson
Learn how to pronounce the English words YEAR, GEAR, JEER correctly with this American English pronunciation lesson.
YEAR, GEAR, and JEER rhyme. The first letters and sounds Y, G, and J are different. Then add EAR to end the word.
Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language guides you through a quick pronunciation lesson with quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time. Reduce your accent and speak clearly today.
You might also like How to Pronounce EAR and YEAR English Pronunciation Lesson
October 16, 2017
I spy with my little eye
I spy a learning opportunity!
I grew up playing eye spy on family road trips. You know the game. The “spy” says, “I spy with my little eye something…” and then describes it. The other player has to guess what the item is.
I love this game and play it a lot in speech sessions. It is a great game to address carryover of S blends, S, listening, TH, and L sounds. The game also addresses language skills such as asking for clarification, classification, attention, turn taking, describing, and reasoning.
The game is so popular that it has led to some books and games that I really like. Check out these products and spy some learning!
Players match riddles with pictures, interlocking pairs ensure only the correct matches are possible.
I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles
This book features riddles that send you searching through 13 photographs to find hidden objects.
