What sound does letter i make

8 mistakes in the pronunciation of English sounds that most Russian speakers make / Sudo Null IT News

When learning foreign languages, much attention is paid to the pronunciation of sounds and words. The correct pronunciation is set for a long time - it is almost impossible to catch the correct sound of words in a few lessons.

The reason is very simple. Sounds and sound formation in different languages ​​differ dramatically.

There is no [l] sound in Japanese. And at the first stages of learning English, they replace it with the sound [r]. This is because in Japanese the sound [r] is percussive, not vibratory. During pronunciation, the tongue touches the palate for only a fraction of a second, so the output is something between the familiar [p] and [l]. That is why it is difficult to understand what the Japanese mean: “law” or “raw”.

Of course, with targeted training, the Japanese begin to pronounce the sound [l], but very few English learners practice pronunciation so deeply.

Absolutely the same situation with English and Russian languages. There are a number of sounds in English that are very difficult for Russian speakers. Simply because they are not in Russian. And there are also nuances between similar sounds that the Russian ear simply does not notice.

Often such nuances completely change the meaning of the sentence.

And instead of “I like this beach”, the interlocutor will hear “I like this bitch” (“I like this girl with reduced social responsibility”).

In this article, we will talk about 8 pronunciation mistakes that are common among Russian speakers, as well as tell you tricks that will help you get rid of them. Go.

1. Wrong pronunciation [æ]

If you love cats, you must learn how to pronounce this sound correctly.

The sound [æ] is somewhat similar to Russian [e], which is why many do not even bother to pronounce it correctly.

However, in English there are two sounds, which in Russian are denoted as [e]: [æ] and [ɛ].

To correctly pronounce the sound [æ], you need to open your mouth wide and press your tongue as low as possible. Imagine that you are looking at something disgusting and say "Beeeee" but with a tight tongue. The sound seems to be born in the larynx.

In addition, the [æ] sound is pronounced with a falling intonation.

• Note for musicians: the sound moves down chromatically and ends 1.5-2 tones below the starting point.
• Clarification for everyone else: just gently lower the intonation of the sound. The beginning is the top point, the end is the bottom.

The sound [ɛ] almost completely corresponds to the Russian [e]. Just like in the words "these" or "tin".

To feel the difference, you need to practice on pairs of words
Bad [bæd] - bed [bɛd]

"The fear of being bad in bed. "
(Fear of screwing up in bed)

Or head [hɛd] - had [hæd]

"I had a hat, it was on my head".
(I had a hat and it was on my head)

2. Wrong emphasis

Very often, students incorrectly name the stress in words of three or more syllables.

For example, EN-gi-neer instead of the correct en-gi-NEER. Or CA-tas-trophe instead of the correct ca-TAS-tro-phe.

The most common cause is inattention. There are many words in English with an accent on the first syllable, and “feeling” it may seem that everything is correct (in fact, it is not).

It's easy to check - a spelling dictionary. Take the Cambridge Dictionary for example.

Please note! Stress in English transcription is indicated by an apostrophe and is placed before the syllable. That is, "catastrophe" - [kəˈtæs. trə.fi].

3. Mispronunciation of diphthongs [oʊ] and [ǝʊ]

A diphthong is a fusion of two sounds. Formally, the diphthong [oʊ] can be designated as Russian [ou], but this is only formal.

Informally, many Russian speakers generally omit this sound, replacing it with a neutral [ɔ] (similar to the long Russian [o] as in the word "zoo").

Although it is very easy to learn how to say this diphthong correctly. In it, one sound flows smoothly into another. The initial sound [o] should be pronounced with a slightly more open mouth than in Russian. And then smoothly lower your jaw and at the same time stretch your lips into a tube, transforming the sound into [ʊ] - long [y].

To put it even more simply, it's like adding W to O. For example, GOw, DOwN'T.

In this ADAM "Go to Go" video, almost every line ends with a diphthong [oʊ]. For the idea of ​​the clip, by the way, a separate plus to the creators :)

4.

Since we mentioned the sound [w] in the paragraph above, we must say that it does not exist in Russian.

Russians often replace it with hard [c], but this is wrong. As a result, the English "Why?" acquires an Armenian accent - “Wai?”

The sound [w] is a cross between [y] and [v]. As if [in] was not pronounced to the end.

Imagine that your friend is about to do something crazy, and you stop him with the phrase "Woah, take it easy!". In this exclamation, the sound [w] will be well heard.

Simple mechanics - pronounce the sound [v] without touching the upper teeth with the lower lip. In this case, the lips must be folded as if for a kiss. This will be the desired [w]. Quite simple, right?

But there is also a downside. Often those who have learned to speak the sound [w] use it everywhere. Including in words where you need a solid [v].

So it turns out:
Wery instead of very
Ewen instead of even

Native speakers who teach at the EnglishDom English school often say that one of the most difficult phrases in terms of pronunciation for Russians at the initial stage of language learning is the banal “very well”.

There is another interesting point, because it is not always necessary to say the sound [w] when you see the letter W. And vice versa - for example, the word Queen - the sound [w] is here, but the letters W are not.

5. Wrong sound [h]

An extremely common problem, because in Russian and English the formation of the sound [h] differs dramatically.

In Russian, the root of the tongue is pressed tightly against the palate and the sound [x] is produced on exhalation. The English often compare it to the sound of sandpaper.

English [h] open. It's like you're breathing loudly at a therapist's office, or like you're exhaling heavily after a hard day's work. And for a Russian speaker, it can be very difficult to adjust to this most open [h].

So it turns out that "Hello" is pronounced with the same sound as "Refrigerator".

To practice the [h] sound, here's a tongue twister. And if you say the sound correctly, on an open output, then even for a native it will seem rather difficult:

A housewife, who holds her house by herself,
Has a home help, who helps her.
If the housewife didn't hold her house by herself,
How could she have a home help, who helps her?

6. Insidious sound [l]

In Russian there are 2 sounds [l] - hard [l] and soft [l ']. As in the words "moose" and "leaves". At the same time, they can occur in any part of the word - both at the beginning and at the end ("salt" and "count").

There is only one sound [l] in English. It's always firm, but it doesn't sound as hard as Russian.

It's all about mechanics. The Russian sound [l] is formed when the front of the tongue is pressed against the palate and upper teeth. In English, only the tip of the tongue is pressed, which makes the sound much softer. But not as soft as [l '].

Americans also often reduce the sound [l] if it is at the end of a word so that it is not heard. Mechanically, they seem to pronounce a sound, but do not touch the palate with their tongue - an indefinite sound is obtained, something between [l] and [s]. But in fact, this is redundant and students should not try to reproduce it. One sound [l] in English is enough.

7. Difference between [i] and [ɪ]

Pupils do not immediately comprehend the difference between tense [i] and relaxed [ɪ], replacing them with the usual Russian ear [and]. This is a common mistake and it is not easy to get rid of it.

If primitive, [i] is long and [ɪ] is short. But they differ not only in length, but also in intonation. It is intonations that Russian-speaking students often ignore.

Sound [i] is pronounced as if you are trying to pronounce the sound during the widest "Hollywood" smile. The tongue is tense and raised to the palate, but does not touch it. Facial expressions are an important part of sound production; without tense buccal muscles, it is simply impossible to get the desired sound. Imagine that you add [th] to the end of the sound - this will give the necessary softness.

The sound [ɪ] is similar to Russian [i], but it is pronounced a little harder, a little closer to [ы]. The tongue is relaxed, the lips are slightly stretched. It is important that the root of the tongue is also relaxed, otherwise the sound will turn into Russian [and].

Let's start with an example.
Sheep - ship

If you speak in the same intonation, then the interlocutor will not understand where the sheep is and where the ship is.

Sheep [ʃip] - the sound is tense, high, long.
Ship [ʃɪp] - the sound is relaxed, short, as if chopped off.

Just one inaccurate sound, and you are no longer sailing on a ship, but on a sheep.

And yes, this is where the beach-bitch pair comes in.
If you want to go to the beach, speak through the high [i].
If you want to call someone, a short [ɪ] will help you.

8. Incomprehensible th

There are no sounds [θ] and [ð] in Russian - there are no analogues either. Despite the fact that the pronunciation of this sound is put in the first lessons, many experience problems with it.

As it turns out, Russians often cannot get used to the fact that in order to form these sounds, you need to stick out the tip of your tongue. Because of this, they are replaced by more familiar [s] and [s].

In this case, confusion arises. One of the classics: "think - sink". And it becomes unclear what the person is doing: thinking or drowning.

By the way, it is this sound that dialects of English most often scoff at. For example, in the Cockney dialect, the sound [θ] in conversation almost always changes to [f], so they say [fɪŋk] instead of [θɪŋk].

Many students find it psychologically uncomfortable to make sounds with their tongue hanging out, so they unconsciously try to pronounce the sound in a more comfortable way, albeit not quite correctly.

This can only be solved by training and self-control. So arm yourself with tongue twisters - and go ahead.

***

Proper pronunciation is as important a part of the language as grammar and vocabulary. But the attitude towards it is a little different, because only a small percentage of those people who study English in the world are trying to achieve a perfectly clear pronunciation of sounds. The majority stops at the level of “once they understand, it means they will do it.” But at the same time, developing the correct pronunciation is a great motivation to work on your English. And one of the best ways is to pay attention to learning with a teacher who is a native speaker. That's someone who has a pronunciation that sometimes you want to envy :)

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Habr readers only - first lesson with a teacher via Skype for free ! And when buying 10 lessons, enter the promo code mistake_skype and get 2 more lessons as a gift. The bonus is valid until 05/31/19.

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English n and ŋ pronunciation

Hello friend! For a long time you and I did not make out the sounds of the English language. We decided to improve, because work on pronunciation is very important.

The main message of our phonetic rubric is that English sounds are not equal to Russian ones. Almost all English sounds, even very similar ones, differ from their "Russian analogues". And some sounds have no analogues at all.

Our recommendation is to take a portion of sounds and work them out: fix the speech apparatus in the correct position and train-train the sound on words, tongue twisters, texts. That is what we will do today. Next in line are two similar sounds | n | and | ŋ |.

Nasal sound | n | in English

Pronounced in words no, name, nib etc. Yes, Russian also has its own | n |, and it seems identical. But it's not. Let's watch the video first and then discuss the details:

First difference: is exactly the same as the sound | d |, which we dealt with earlier.

Russian sound | n | It is formed like this: you bring the front of the tongue to the back of the teeth and gums, lowering the tip of the tongue down. So a barrier is formed, the air has nowhere to go - and it exits through the nose.

In the same position you pronounce the sound | d |, only there the air still breaks through the barrier and a noisy sound is obtained, similar to an exhaust. Therefore, in a person with a runny nose, the word night can become the word daughter .

Now say the word night and feel where the tongue is. This understanding will help you easily change the position to the one you need for the English sound.

The English sound is pronounced exactly according to the same principle: obstruction - air comes out through the nose. But the language creates a barrier in another place - in the same place as for the English sound | d |. Do you remember exactly where? That's right, in the alveoli (tubercles behind the teeth).

Say the word night again, but now press the tip of the tongue to the most convex part of the alveoli at a right angle. Happened?

Learning the correct pronunciation of even such a seemingly Russian-like sound is necessary not just because of tediousness or perfectionism. In a good way, in order to speak English, you must “rebuild” the entire articulatory apparatus, and practicing each, even simple, sound will help in pronouncing others, more complex ones.

Second difference: because of the different position of the language when you speak English | n |, a stream of air passes through the nose more freely. Therefore, the English sound becomes more sonorous and prolonged - as if "more vowel".

Due to this strong sonority, English | n | in some cases it is syllable-forming, almost like a vowel. This happens in some words, when | | n | stands after sounds | t, d, s, z, g |

The third difference: I repeat about it from article to article. English consonants don't soften before vowels like ours | and |. Therefore, in Russian ninja sound | n | soft, and in English ninja - hard.

Got it? Now let's practice.

English words with sound | n |

We put the speech apparatus in the right position - the tip of the tongue at a right angle to the alveoli, the air passes through the nose, the sound is more sonorous - and we begin the training. Don't forget that in words like need the sound will still be solid.

now |naʊ|

never |ˈnev.ər|

night |naɪt|

nine |naɪn|

nails |neɪl|

name |neɪm|

near |nɪər|

neck|nek|

need |niːd|

nature |ˈneɪ.tʃər|

native |ˈneɪ.tɪv|

nab |næb|

nappy |ˈnæp.i|

nick |nɪk|

numb |nʌm|

novel |ˈnɒv.əl|

nib |nɪb|

navel |ˈneɪ.vəl|

natch |nætʃ|

noble |ˈnəʊ.bəl|

nomad |ˈnəʊ.mæd|

nut |nʌt|

nice |naɪs|

narrow |ˈnær.əʊ|

noise |nɔɪz|

Tongue twisters with English sound | n |

Let's complicate the task with tongue twisters. For convenience, the desired sound is highlighted in bold.

• N aughty N a n0225 otted N a nn y’s kn itting.
• N i n ety n ice n estlings n estle i n n i n e n ests, n i n e n ice n estlings n estled i n n i n ety n ests.
• N a nn y N a n cy n ever n aps at n ights at her n i n eteen, n a nn y N elly n id- n ods at n ights at her n i n ety.

• U n cle Fra n k, bei n g an a n gry hu n ks, is di ng -do ng looki ng amo ng his Belo NG I NG S for a di N KY BA N K of Ha N KY-PA N KY, Including Ri NG SALS, BA S, BAS SALS ers, a n klets, and earri ng s.
• There is nothi ng like listeni ng to birds si ng i ng spri ng so ng s.
• The E n glish ki ng is goi ng to co n quer Hu n gary, The Hu n garian ki ng is goi ng to co n quer E n gland.

And the last exercise

To consolidate the result, I suggest saying a pair of words with sounds | n | and | ŋ |. Remember everything you learned today. Go!

sin|sin| – sing |siŋ|
thin |θɪn| – thing |θɪŋ|
gone |ɡɒn| – gong |ɡɒŋ|
ran |ræn| – rang |ræŋ|
kin |kin| –king |kiŋ|
win|win| – wing |wiŋ|
tin |tɪn| – ting |tɪŋ|
fan |fæn| –fang |fæŋ|
tone |tʌn| –tongue |tʌŋ|
ban |bæn| – bang |bæŋ|

Did it work? Congratulations! Now it remains to learn the correct pronunciation of these sounds during fluent speech. The only way is practice, practice, practice. So we suggest that you save our article and periodically repeat the workshop.

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