This week we review last week's online material and go over pronunciation check-lists geared to your needs. Check list 1. Make sure to pronounce the ends of words. 2. Watch out for consonant blends (also called clusters). Don't insert a schwa between the consonants, otherwise please will end up sounding like police! GReen not GeReen PLease not PeLease DRive not DErive 3. Rolling Rrrrrrrrs This video is a good drill for listening and repitition. Try some of the examples on a voice recorder. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ckUaFNkGo&feature=related See below in the vowel + r section for more practice lists. 4. Phonemic Errors to watch out for: Bought / But Make sure to open your mouth wide when practising the "bought" sound. "But" is a middle vowel sound so your jaw won't drop as low as "bought". In Canada "cot" and "caught" sound exactly the same, however int the U.K they are different. You can hear the U.K difference here -> http://www.shiporsheep.com/page12.html
Ch/Sh Sh allows air to pass through the mouth and over the tongue. Ch momentarily stops air flow. You don't have much problems is area, but you do make occasional errors. Unfortunately it's a fairly big mistake as it often results in listeners confusion (sheet? cheat? ship? chip? etc)
Vowel +r The mermaid wears a purple purse full of pears and pearls. Here is a video of examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZHQjTlBsAg&feature=related Try some of the follwing links for more "r" practise.
Additional listening resources: http://www.speak-read-write.com/minimalpairs.html Last Week: 1. John thinks that man is evil (that man in the corner) John thinks that Man is evil. (all men) 2 A woman without her man is nothing. A woman: without her, man is nothing. 3. She didn't marry him because she loved him. ( but for another reason) She didn't marry him because she loved him. (she didn't marry him because she thought it would ruin his life) 4. When I sing well, ladies feel sick. When I sing, well ladies feel sick. 5. It's all over my friend! It's all over, my friend.
ch/sh + r Chester shrieked as he spilled chocolate peach milkshake on his new Chinese silk shirt. “What am I going to do?” he asked Arthur. Arthur shrugged “ I don’t know. Research it. Look up stain charts online” he said harshly. Chester remembered his mother’s tip for stain removal. Spray with soda water and wash or dryclean right away. Taking no chances, Chester took off his shirt and ran to the nearest laundromat. Schwa Now that you know where the stressed syllables are for each key word, replace the vowels in the weakest syllables with schwas. Practice them out loud. Invest in a good investment. It’s nothing personal, it’s just your personality. Would you like a cigar or a cigarette? The essence is essential. Personify the person. Are you a democrat in this democracy? I’d like to present my present. Is it capable of that capability? b/p and sh/ch
Arthur was feeling peckish and decided to prepare a bite to eat. He went to the refrigerator and picked out six plump shrimp, some Polish cheese and a bunch of green beans. He blanched the beans, poached the shrimp in a boiling broth and shredded the cheese. Finally he placed the shrimp and beans on a plate and sprinkled on the cheese and some herbs. For dessert he use a sharp knife to cut a slice of rhubarb pie. When he finished he washed the dishes and polished the cutlery.
“bought” Otto bought a boat. He was lucky it did not cost too much money. Although it’s not a big yacht Otto had to learn a lot about tying knots and has already caught many trout. He spotted a plot of land, one of several dotting the coast, where he will build a cottage with a spot for his boat. When it is hot he will drink a bottle of lager and watch the shore.
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