Voice & Accent Neutralization

What we will learn

Consonant Sounds
Vowel Sounds Intonation

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Some startling facts:

There are 26 letters in the English Alphabets However there are 44 sounds
24 20 Consonant Sounds Vowel Sounds (12 vowels & 8 Diphthongs)

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Factors that affect Pronunciation and intonation are: Regional Influence/Mother Tongue Influence Speech Pattern Personality Family & Friends factor

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Regional Influence/Mother Tongue Influence: Very/wary/vary HRYech HR Friend:Farend The snacks are in the hall Thirty:Thiraty There/dare Matter/Mutter want/wont The snakes are in the hole

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation

English is tough stuff Dearest creature in creation, Study English pronunciation. I will teach you in my verse Sounds like corpse, corps, horse, and worse. I will keep you, Suzy, busy, Make your head with heat grow dizzy. Tear in eye, your dress will tear. So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation

Just compare heart, beard, and heard, Dies and diet, lord and word, Sword and sward, retain and Britain. (Mind the latter, how it's written.) Now I surely will not plague you With such words as plaque and ague. But be careful how you speak: Say break and steak, but bleak and streak; Cloven, oven, how and low, Script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation

What is good English pronunciation?

There are three levels of English pronunciation: Level 1: People often don't understand what you want to say. You use the wrong sounds in English words. Level 2: People understand what you want to say, but it is unpleasant to listen to you.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation Level 3: People understand you, and your English is pleasant to listen to. Level 3 will be called good pronunciation.

Notice that good pronunciation is not "perfect American or British accent".

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation

Why not? Because there are many regional kinds of English. In England, people from Newcastle speak English differently from people in London. In America, people from New York City, California, and Texas each have their own pronunciation. So it is no problem if you have your own accent.
But our accent must be close to the standards ( American English). What does it mean? Turn on your TV and watch channels like CNN. You will hear many different people (news anchors, reporters, etc.)

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation Tips

These English pronunciation tips will help you : Tip 1 Do not confuse pronunciation of words with their spelling! For example, "threw" and "through", although spelled differently, are pronounced the same. Also, identical letters or letter clusters in words do not always produce the same sound. For example, the "ough" in "though" and "through" represents a different sound in each word. Learn to practice what you hear, not what you see.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation Tips

Tip 2 Imagine a sound in your mind before you say it. Try to visualize the positioning of your mouth and face. Think about how you are going to make the sound. Tip 3 The English language has many different dialects, and words can be pronounced differently. It is important, however, that you pronounce words clearly to ensure effective communication.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Pronunciation Glossary These are some of the words used to talk about pronunciation. Air flow Aspiration

Auditory
Clusters (blended sounds) Curl

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Pronunciation Glossary

Flatten
Glide / Slide Hard palate Intonation Lengthen sound

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Pronunciation Glossary Lips spread Lower Pitch

Pressed lips
Protruded lips

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Pronunciation Glossary Protruded lips Roof Round lips

Shorten sound
Soft palate Tap

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Pronunciation Glossary Tooth ridge Top of mouth / Roof of mouth Unvoiced (voiceless)

Upper
Visual Voiced

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds Pronunciation The mechanism of speech involves production and articulation of the sounds produced. Consonant and vowel sounds are an integral part of English speech

Consonant sounds are produced by a blockage or obstruction to the exhaled air.

Vowel sounds are produced without any obstruction to the exhaled air.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Consonant Sounds

Created by blocking the outgoing breath. Grouped in families classified according to the obstruction. Clarity in speech depends on the way consonants are pronounced. To pronounce consonants clearly, you need to identify the obstruction. Consonant sounds in different languages differ in quality.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Consonant sounds are divided into Voiced and Unvoiced sounds. Voiced sounds create a resonant sound in the throat.

Unvoiced sounds are aspirated sounds.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Consonant sounds B, d, f g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w, y, z,,Dj, Th Th, Zh, Sh, Ch, ng

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Unvoiced CH S SH K T

Voiced J (Dj) Z ZH G D

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Unvoiced TH (Thanks) F P

Voiced TH (That) V B W M N L R H NG Y

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Unvoiced Sounds

Voiced Sounds

/p/ path /t/ time /k/ came /f/ fan /th/ think /s/ price /sh/shoe /ch/chin

/b/ bath /d/ dime /g/game /v/ van /th/them z/prize /zh/usual /dj/gin

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The P sound

This is an unvoiced aspirated sound. It is pronounced like ph with distinct breath coming out.
Example:

Problem Past Promise-

Phraablem Phaest Phraamis

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The P sound (Practice Exercise) Peter had a problem with his project Pickles are more expensive than peas. My parents made the payment for Patricias picnic. Politicians are publicizing the polished policemens work. The patient ran in panic for no particular reason

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The K sound This is an aspirated sound. It has to be pronounced like kh with a puff of air thrown out: Examples:

ColorContributeCustomer-

Khalar Khantribute Khustomer

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Practice Exercise (emphasize on k sound) I was coming back home after my coaching classes. On my way I saw a cute girl clinging and cringing on the branch of a tree. She was crying at the top of her voice. I called out for her and asked her to calm down. She requested me to help her come down the tree. I feared that my clothes will get soiled. But I somehow gathered the courage to climb the tree. Just when I was a little short of clutching her arm, my leg slipped and I came crashing down the road. The cream color of my collar became black and I got a cut on my right knee. I quickly contained my anxiety and made quick steps towards the cocoon of my home.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Voiced TH Sound This sound is created by placing the tongue behind your teeth touching the upper palate of your mouth. The voiced th usually occurs in function words or pronouns and words that end with the.

Examples: This Breathe Father

That Teethe Brother

These Bathe Mother

The They Sheathe

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Unvoiced TH Sound The unvoiced TH sound is created by placing your tongue between your lips and releasing the air through the slit. The unvoiced TH sound usually occurs in content words Examples: Thud Both Something With Thousand South North Thank

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Exercise: Practice these words:

Third Fourth Fifth Eighth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Twentieth

Without Author Nothing Thirsty Theme Month Birthday Through

Theatre Thought Thursday Three Thelma Dorothy Elizabeth Samantha

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The V Sound This is a voiced sound. To produce the v sound allow your upper teeth to rest on your lower lip and push the sound through the slit. Bite the lower lip and feel the vibration. Examples: Verify, Discover, Voice

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Practice Exercise Read these words with the correct v sound. Valid Victim Video Vote Vinegar Evoke Divide Heavy Save Valentine Vast Arrive Above Love Leave Festival Virtue Victor Invest Velocity Vegetables Vanessa Vice Visit

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The W sound This is a voiced sound. To produce the w sound, make your lips rounded and the tongue drawn back as in the position of u. Your lips should form a soft circle. Examples:

Work Wedding Wednesday

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Practice Exercise Read out these words with the correct w sound. TwentyWish One Water Walnut Weave Wash Weight Sandwich Winter Weather Wave Wallet Wine Weed Wander Wonder Wane Weep Wise Railway Sweet Wait Watch Weigh Walk Win Swim

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

How will you pronounce these words?

Very Verse Wheel West Vie While

Wary Worse Veal Vest Whale Vile

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The Ch sound

This is an unvoiced aspirated sound:

Church Cherish Chant Chamber

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The Ch sound Practice Exercise Charlie chose the chilly chicken Chitra chanced to sit on the Chiming chair. Cherry cheered the charming champion. Check the cheese before you eat. Channel of the chimney was charred.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The dj Sound This is a voiced sound

Gin Ginger Practice Exercise: Gin and tonic water is the gist for success for gigantic parties. Gillette is the brand of a shaving gadget Gauge the height of the hill gingerly. Fit the gauge gently.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The sh sound

This is a voiced sound. Produce the sh sound by pursing your lips in an oval shape resting your upper teeth straight on your lower teeth and blowing the air through the slit between the teeth.

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The sh sound Shell She Shoot English

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The sh sound Practice Exercise: Chef, Champagne Musician ,Ancient Tension, Pension Russia, Expression Sanction, Section

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The S Sound The S sound is a voiced sound produced by placing the tongue towards the upper ridge of your teeth and passing the air through the slit Swim State Start

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The S Sound Practice Exercise Sally Sells Station Straight Silly Straws Sandy Stammer Smoke Sam Subway Street Study Strong String

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The Zh sound

This sound is produced in the same ways as sh. The only difference is that of a strong vibration in the throat: Pleasure Seizure Measure Leisure Treasure Azure

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The Z sound This is a voiced sound. It is produced by placing your tongue between the upper ridge of your teeth and gives a buzzing effect: Zebra, Zeal, Zoo, Zip, Zest

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

The Z sound Practice Exercise: Zulu Blaze Maze Ease Lizard Zoology Amaze Cozy Glaze Faze Jazzy Prize Freeze Lazy Booze Graze Doze Praise Buzz Busy Maize Crazy Accuse Daze

Introduction to Consonant and Vowel Sounds

Managing Clusters /sp/ /st/ /str/ /sts/ /ss/ /tr/ /dr/ /kr/ Splash Style Straight Lasts Students strike Train Drive Cross

Vowel Sounds

Cecily Berry Exercise

OOT OOD OON OOB OOP OOM OOG

OHT AWT AHT AYT EET OHD AWD AHD AYD EED OHN AWN AHN AYN EEN OHB AWB AHB AYB EEB OHP AWP AHP AYP EEP OHM AWM AHM AYM EEM OHG AWG AHG AYG EEG

EHT EHD EHN EHB EHP EHM EHG

Vowel Sounds

Cecily Berry Exercise (continued)

OOF OHF AWF AHF AYF EEF OOV OHV AWV AHV AYV EEV OOS OHS AWS AHS AYS EES OOZ OHZ AWZ AHZ AYZ EEZ OOTH OHTH AWTH AHTH AYTH

EHF EHV EHS EHZ EETH

EHTH

Vowel Sounds

Vowels are sound carriers.

A diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds

Vowel Sounds

English Vowel Sounds a e i 20 Pure Vowels 12 Diphthongs 8 o u

Vowel Sounds

Vowel Sounds Vowel sounds can be broadly categorized into: Long Vowels Short Vowels Diphthongs

Vowel Sounds

Diphthongs: [a] as in house [a] as in kite [e] as in same [ju] as in few [] as in join [] as in fear [] as in hair [] as in poor

Vowel Sounds

Some Commonly Mispronounced Words

Hotel Industry Decade

Component Engineer Chaos

Petrol Cassette Development

Intonation

What is intonation

Rise and fall in pitch is intonation It can also be defined as Speech Music

Intonation

Intonation is the rise and fall in pitch . It conveys personal intentions and emotions such as surprise, anxiety, excitement. Pitch is the number of vibrations per second.
Changes in pitch determine the TONE of speech.

Intonation

Let us look at examples:

1. I didnt say he stole the money 2. I didnt say he stole the money 3. I didnt say he stole the money 4. I didnt say he stole the money 5. I didnt say he stole the money 6. I didnt say he stole the money 7. I didnt say he stole the money

Intonation

Let us look at the sentences again: 1. I didnt say he stole the money 2. I didnt say he stole the money3. I didnt say he stole the money4. I didnt say he stole the money5. I didnt say he stole the money6. I didnt say he stole the money7. I didnt say he stole the money-

someone else did thats not true at all I only suggested it someone else took it he may have borrowed but rather some other money He may have taken jewelry

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 1. Contrasting perceptions She learned cooking but never used that skill. She studied French but did not enjoy it. Mary speaks Spanish but she teaches Portuguese. Contrasts are intoned because they denote two opposite meanings, and therefore require emphasis.

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 2. Opinions I believe he is intelligent but you may differ from me

It looks like a gun but it is a dummy.

I feel they are extremely happy about the incident.

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 2. Opinions

Opinions are stressed since they denote strong perceptions. However, if there are nouns in the sentence, the nouns get more emphasis than the verbs. Example: Harry believes he is intelligent but you may differ from him.

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 3. Negations and contractions:

I cant do anything about it I wont do it for a million bucks She shouldnt be going out alone All contractions are not stressed. Only the ones which carry the essence of negation.

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 4. Adjective Phrases: The stress falls on the second word A beautiful girl A lovely rose A delicious meal A refreshing drink An amazing journey The lonely man

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 5. Noun Phrases

The stress falls on the first word

Example:

A hotdog A businessman A matchstick

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 6.When there are no adverbs or nouns intone on the verbs They drank it fast. He came back for me.

Intonation

Rules of Intonation 7. Longer phrases or sentences can contain more than one pitch jump. However, do not use exactly the same level of intonation twice in a row: Example: I tried to cook a delicious meal for her Our meeting schedule is flexible this afternoon

Intonation

Rules of Intonation
With close ended questions (When answer is a Yes or No) intonation rises at the end of the Question Are you married? With open ended questions (That cannot be answered in a yes or no) the intonation drops at the end of the statement or though group. How Long have your worked Three Years

Intonation

Rules of Intonation With Numbers: Intonation rises at the last but one set of numbers indicating that you are approaching the end of the number and then drops on the last number as it does in statements

My phone Number is 91 11 2847 638

Intonation

Rules of Intonation
Intonation when giving choices:
Intonation will rise on the first choice or all the choices before the last one and down for the final option to indicate end of the choices
Do you want red, black or yellow? Other rules of intonation: When new information is conveyed, nouns which are the carriers of new information are stressed People enjoy parties Cats drink milk Men drive cars

Intonation

What happens when we lack intonation while conversing? Negates the essence of information Makes us sound mechanical causes miscommunication