12 words you might be mispronouncingYou will probably find this post useful if: 1. You’re a teacher of English. 2. English is not your native language. 3. You have recently made the transition from advanced student to teacher. 4. You suspect that you might still make a few pronunciation mistakes, which never get corrected.Here’s a list of some of the most common pronunciation mistakes I have heard in over fifteen years of lesson observation: 1. OK, guys, let’s work on the pronunciation of the TH sound now.Maybe you’re saying /prəˌnɑʊnsiˈeɪʃən/, with the “nun” sounding like “noun.” You should say /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/. The nun is pronounced like sun. The verb is to pronounce /prəˈnɑʊns/.Listen to the noun here and to the verb here. (Tip: right-click and choose “open in a new tab”. That way, you won’t leave this page.) 2. This course will help you get ready for the most important Cambridge exam.Maybe you’re saying /kæmbrɪdʒ/ - /kæ/ as in “cat.”You should say /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/ – /keɪm/as in “same.” The same applies to “dangerous” /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/, for example.Listen here. 3. You learned this in basic 2, remember?Maybe you’re saying /ˈbeɪzɪk/, with a z sound. You should say /ˈbeɪsɪk/ with an s sound. By the way, “disappear” and “disagree” are also pronounced /s/.Listen here. 4. This will help you increase your vocabulary!Same thing: /s/ NOT /z/. When “increase” is a verb, the stress usually falls on the second syllable. When it’s a noun, the first syllable is usually stressed.Listen here. 5. Can we check use of English, exercise 2, now?When “use” is a noun, the s is pronounced s: /juːs/Listen here. 6. Now let’s try this communicative activity.Maybe you’re saying /kəmjuː’nɪ.kə.tɪv/, with the stress on the third syllable (ni).You should say /kəˈmjuː.nɪ.kə.tɪv/ in British English OR /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪv/ in American English. In both cases, the stress falls on the second syllable (mu).Listen here (AmE) and here (BrE). 7. Is this a noun or an adjective?Maybe you’re saying “adjective”, with the stress on “jec.”You should say/’ædʒektɪv/, with the stress on the first syllable (ad), NOT on the second one. The same applies to adverb.Listen here.8. What kind of pronoun is this?Maybe you’re saying “pronoun“, with the stress on the second syllable.You should say/ˈproʊnaʊn/ or /ˈprəʊnaʊn/, with the stress on the first syllable.Listen here (AmE) and here (BrE).9. Now fill in the blanks using the correct possessive pronouns.Maybe you’re saying: /’pɒsesɪv/, with an /s/ sound and the stress on the first syllable.You should say/pəˈzesɪv/, with a /z/ sound and the stress on the second syllable.Listen here.10. What color is that?Maybe you’re saying: /ˈkɒlə(r)/ or /ˈkɑːlər/. If so, what you’re saying is “collar.” You should say /ˈkʌlə(r)/. The /ʌ/ is the vowel sound in “sun”, “bus”, and “mother.”Listen here (AmE) and here (BrE). 11. Can I have another volunteer, please?Same thing: Say /əˈnʌðə(r)/ rather than /əˈnɒðər/. Remember: The /ʌ/ is the vowel sound in “color.” Practice saying “another color” fast, without changing the vowel sound. Listen here (AmE) and here (BrE). 12. Use the code on the last page to access the website.Maybe you’re saying “access“, with the stress on the second syllable.You should say /’ækses/, with the stress on the first syllable, for both the verb and the noun.Listen here.Bonus words to be added based on readers’ suggestions: 13. Accuracy – The stress falls on the first syllable, NOT on the second one: /ˈækjərəsi/. Listen here. 14. Certificate – Careful with the pronunciation of the last syllable. It does NOT sound like the verb “ate”: /sərˈtɪfɪkət/. Listen here. 15. Iron – This one may surprise you: /ˈaɪə(r)n/, NOT /ˈaɪrən/. So if you spent most of the 80s/90s saying “Iron Maiden” like most of your friends did, you were saying it wrong. Still baffled? Say “I earn” out loud. Said it? Now, say it again, stressing the “I” rather than the “earn.” That’s it. (Tony, thanks for the tip!) Listen here (AmE) and here (BrE).Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for “12 things you might be saying wrong”, coming up soon.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:55:29 +0000
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