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Glue It Up - Connecting Words

Glue It Up - Connecting Words

Date: Dec 16 2008

Topic: Pronunciation

Author: nad1a

Lesson

MySpace TrackerUnderstanding how words are connected will not only make you sound more natural, but will also help you understand native speakers better. I would say that this isn't only an English language feature, but this pretty much happens in most languages. If it weren't that way, we would rather sound like robots. 

What is special about the way words are connected in English is, that while doing that a lot of the connecting sounds (at the end of the previous and beginning of next word) tend to either , sort of , fade away or change into a softer sound.

  • Connecting a consonant with a vowel (including semivowels W, Y and R)

    a beautiful actress (a-beautifu-lactress)

  • Connecting consonants produced from a similar position in the mouth (lips, teeth, throat).

    You have to stop being so touchy. [stoBBeen]
    Do you have a lot of friends? [o’frends]
    I was surprised to hear that. [waSSurpriseTTohear]
    I just didn't know [jussdidn't ]

  • Connecting vowel with a vowel

        Depending on the position of the lips, vowels are connected with a glide [w] or [y], that goes in between the two words.

Go away.         [go(w)away]
I also know him. [äi(y)älso]
Give me the other one.        [Give me the(y)other one]

  • Connecting Y

      The combination of T, D, S or Z + Y forces a change in a pronunciation, which if not aware of, will make you wonder what is actually being said. Especially if you 're learning English mainly through reading and you're not so experienced in speaking and listening to English.

        T + Y = CH  - Don't you understand?         [Donchoo ]
D + Y = J -   Did you know that?            [Didja know that?]
S + Y = SH - Cross your fingers      [krosher fingers]
Z + Y = ZH -   How's your friend doing?     [howzher friend doing?]

***

Related Lessons:

 

More help on Pronunciation

 

 

Comments

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manu_wj

manu_wj

Italy

very usefull lesson, thanks..

07:03 AM Apr 01 2009 |

jimmy33

Guadeloupe

an important lesson. thank you.

08:22 PM Jan 31 2009 |

jimmy33

Guadeloupe

interesting

08:22 PM Jan 31 2009 |

yongchun00

yongchun00

China

thanks a lot . you're so patient . :  )

05:14 AM Jan 31 2009 |

single_straight_guy

Virgin Islands, U.S.

thanks, hun

that was worth being aware of

02:23 PM Jan 28 2009 |

ch3rrybl0ss0m

France

Nikos, why you sound like a teacher,but don't look like a 'decent' teacher :)

you're too sexy for a teacher

mind to explain :)

07:30 PM Jan 27 2009 |

Nikos

Nikos

Greece

There is something wrong in the way English is taught here in Greece. Teachers themselves don't care about pronunciation and kids get used to their Greek accented English and often fail the listening part of their English Exam at the end. Or do English for years and when you speak to an American or British for thefirst time, you say "what are they talking about?"

06:51 AM Jan 19 2009 |

AnimeGirl

AnimeGirl

Russian Federation

Ohh, I'll said again: thank you very much Wink

03:10 PM Jan 09 2009 |

monacovalentina

Italy

Great contribution the pronunciation is the week point for the italian people thanks nadia

08:35 AM Jan 08 2009 |

almortada

Yemen

I would like  to thank u

U have a wonderful lesson that everyone will get advantages

I liked your lesson so much and I'm looking forward to hear alot about u and your really good lessons

 

06:58 AM Jan 08 2009 |

mubrik

Oman

WOWSurprised
 Great Effort !
This is just what I'm looking forSmile

Are these lessons based on the American accent ?

11:27 AM Jan 07 2009 |

emiliey

Malaysia

excellent

08:16 AM Jan 06 2009 |

lamiaashaker

Egypt

thanks nadia or matrix

08:26 AM Jan 04 2009 |

emptyheart

emptyheart

Yemen

I was look for contribution like this

thank you too much

04:08 PM Jan 03 2009 |

yogita12

yogita12

India

thanks nad
for such a wonderful

11:00 AM Jan 01 2009 |

yogita12

yogita12

India

thanks nad its g8 keep it up :-)

10:57 AM Jan 01 2009 |

foxing

foxing

China

same here

it seems that it is the hardest part of my study

confused…

09:35 AM Dec 29 2008 |

Mr.Lee

Mr.Lee

Egypt

absolutely Greaaaaaaaaaat

i Like this lisson a looooot _

 Thank you

01:49 PM Dec 28 2008 |

wuricheng8888

China

i need your help for the intonation

12:39 AM Dec 27 2008 |

wuricheng8888

China

it is too hard for me

i cann,t understand it

who can help me for intonation?

thank you

12:38 AM Dec 27 2008 |

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