, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vowel [i:] resembles the Russian sound [ and ] in the word willow.

Vowel [i] resembles a short Russian sound [and].

Vowel sound [ e ] close to the Russian sound [e] in words these, tin but not in words this, echo.

Vowel sound [æ] unlike any Russian sound, it can be described as "something in between the Russian sounds [e] and [a]". When pronouncing this sound, the lips are somewhat stretched, lower jaw lowered, the tip of the tongue touches the lower teeth, and the middle back of the tongue curves slightly forward and upward.

Vowel sound [ei] - diphthong, the core of which is the vowel [ e ], and the slide occurs in the direction of the vowel [ i ]. When pronouncing a diphthong [ei], it is necessary to ensure that the core is not as wide as the Russian vowel [e], and the second element does not turn into a Russian sound [th].

Vowel sound [ə] is called a neutral vowel and is the result of reduction, that is, the weakening of vowels in an unstressed position. It is always unstressed and is easily influenced by neighboring sounds. Hence a number of shades of the neutral vowel. One of them coincides with the Russian final unstressed [a] in words such as room, paper. It should not look like either [e], or distinct [a].

Vowel sound [a:] resembles a Russian sound [a], but the tongue moves further back and down and lies flat.

Vowel sound [u:] . When pronouncing the sound [u:], the lips are strongly rounded, but much less pushed forward than when pronouncing the Russian sound [u]. The English sound [u:] is longer and more tense than the Russian sound [u].

Vowel sound [ɔ:] - long vowel. In order to correctly pronounce the sound [ɔ:], one should give the speech organs a position, as when pronouncing the sound [a:], then significantly round the lips and slightly push them forward; pronounce the sound [ɔ:], avoiding the overtone [y] in front of it, which is characteristic of Russian [o].

Vowel sound [ɔ] . In order to pronounce the sound [ɔ], one should proceed from the position of the organs of speech when pronouncing the sound [a:], then slightly round the lips and pronounce short sound [ ɔ ].

Vowel sound [ u ] - a short monophthong. Unlike the Russian sound [u], when pronouncing the English sound [u], the lips almost do not move forward, but they are noticeably rounded.

Vowel sound [ou] - diphthong. It begins with a vowel sound, which is a cross between the Russian sounds [o] and [e]. The lips, when pronouncing the beginning of this diphthong, are slightly stretched and rounded. Gliding occurs in the direction of the vowel [u].

Vowel sound [ʌ] similar to the Russian pre-stressed sound [ a ] ​​in words which, posts, bass.

Vowel sound [au] - a diphthong, the core of which is the sound [ a ], as in the diphthong [ ai ], and the slide occurs in the direction of the vowel sound [ u ], which, however, is not clearly pronounced.

Vowel sound [ɔi] - a diphthong, the core of which is the vowel sound [ ɔ ], and the sliding occurs in the direction of the vowel sound [ i ].

Vowel sound [ə:] . When pronouncing the sound [ə:] the body of the tongue is raised, the entire back of the tongue lies as flat as possible, the lips are tense and slightly stretched, slightly exposing the teeth, the distance between the jaws is small. In Russian, there is no sound coinciding with the sound [ə:] or similar to it. Care must be taken not to replace the sound [ə:] with the sounds [e] or [o].

Vowel sound [iə] - diphthong. The core of the diphthong is the vowel [ i ], and the slide occurs in the direction of the neutral vowel, which has a shade of the sound [ ʌ ].

Vowel sound [ɛə] - diphthong. The core of the diphthong is a vowel similar to the Russian sound [ e ] in the word This. Gliding occurs in the direction of a neutral vowel with a hint of sound [ʌ].

Vowel sound [uə] - diphthong. The core of the diphthong is the vowel [ u ], the slide occurs in the direction of the neutral vowel, which has a shade of [ ʌ ].

Consonant sound [ m ] close to the Russian sound [m], but when pronouncing the English sound, the lips close more tightly than when pronouncing the Russian sound.

Consonants [p, b] similar to Russian sounds [p, b], but English sounds are pronounced with a breath, the lips first close, and then instantly open.

Consonant [f] pronounced more energetically than the corresponding Russian consonant [f].

Consonant sound [ v ] , unlike the Russian sound [v] at the end of the word is not stunned.

Consonants [t, d] resemble Russian sounds [t, d], but before vowels they are pronounced aspirated.

Consonants [ n, l, s, z ] close to Russian sounds [n, l, s, z].

Consonant [w] similar to the Russian sound [u], but when pronouncing the English sound, the lips are more rounded and significantly pushed forward.

Consonant [θ] has no analogue in Russian. This sound is muffled. When pronouncing it, the tongue is flattened and relaxed, the tip of the tongue forms a narrow flat gap with the entire cutting edge of the upper teeth, loosely pressed against it. A jet of air passes through this gap with force. The tip of the tongue should not protrude far beyond the upper teeth or be pressed too tightly against the teeth (otherwise it will turn out [ t ]). The teeth should be exposed, especially the lower ones, so that the lower lip does not touch the upper teeth and does not come close to them (otherwise it will turn out [ f ]).

Consonant sound [ð] similar to the previous sound, when pronouncing it, the speech organs occupy the same position, but the sound [ð] is voiced.

Combination of sounds [pl] before a stressed vowel is pronounced together. The sound [ p ] is pronounced so vigorously that the sound [ l ] is partially deafened.

Consonant sound [ k ] pronounced almost the same as the Russian sound [k]. The difference is that the English sound is aspirated and sounds more distinct at the end of a word.

Consonant [g] pronounced almost the same as the Russian sound [g], but less tense, and at the end of the word it is not deafened.

Consonant [ʃ] resembles the Russian sound [sh], but is softer. However, the sound [ʃ] should not be as soft as the Russian sound, denoted by the letter sch.

Consonant [ʒ] differs from the sound [ʃ] only in sonority. The sound [ʒ] differs from the Russian sound [zh] in softness.

Consonant sound [tʃ] resembles the Russian sound [h], but differs from it in that it is pronounced harder.

Consonant [ʤ] pronounced the same as [tʃ], but only loudly, with a voice.

Combination of sounds [ kl ] , just like the sound combination [ pl ], before the stressed vowel is pronounced together, and the sound [ k ] is pronounced so energetically that [ l ] is partially stunned.

Consonant [h] absent in Russian. In English, it occurs only before a vowel and sounds like a light, barely audible exhalation. Unlike the Russian sound [x], the English sound [h] is formed without any participation of the language.

Consonant sound [ j ] resembles a Russian sound [th], however, when pronouncing the English sound [j], the middle part of the tongue rises to the sky less than with the Russian sound [th], and therefore when pronouncing the English sound [j], less noise is heard than when pronouncing the Russian sound [ th].

Consonant [r] similar to Russian [r], but pronounced less sharply and loudly.

Consonant sound [ŋ] . When pronouncing the sonata [ŋ], the back of the tongue closes with the lowered soft palate, and air passes through the nasal cavity. In order to achieve the desired position of the organs of speech, one can inhale through the nose with the mouth wide open, then pronounce the sound [ŋ] while exhaling the air through the nose.

Combination of sounds [s], [z] with sounds [θ] and [ð] . When pronouncing sound combinations [ s ] or [ z ] with the sound [ θ ] or [ ð ], care must be taken not to allow a vowel overtone or pause between them and at the same time maintain the quality of each sound. If the sound [s] or [z] is before the sound [θ] or [ð], then it is necessary, without finishing pronouncing the first sound, to gradually move the tip of the tongue into the interdental position. If the sound [s] or [z] is after the sound [θ] or [ð], then the tip of the tongue makes a reverse movement.

Sound combinations [aiə] and [auə] . These combinations are compounds of diphthongs [ai] and [au] with a neutral vowel [ə]. However, the middle elements of these sound combinations are never pronounced distinctly. It is necessary to ensure that in the middle of the sound combination [aiə] the sound [j] is not heard, and in the middle of the sound combination [auə] - the sound [w].

Combination of sounds [wə:] . When pronouncing this sound combination, care must be taken not to soften the sound [w] and not to replace the sound [ə:] with Russian sounds [o] or [e].

Combination of sounds [t] and [k] with sound [w] . In order to correctly pronounce the combinations with the sound [tw] and [kw], while pronouncing the sounds [t] and [k], at the same time round the lips to pronounce the sound [w]. After a deaf consonant, the sound [ w ] is muffled (has a deaf beginning).

There are 26 letters in English. AT different combinations and positions they designate 44 sounds.
In English, 24 consonants are distinguished, and they are transmitted in writing by 20 letters: Bb; cc; Dd; ff; Gg ; hh; Jj; kk; LI; mm; Nn; pp; Qq; Rr; Ss; Tt; vv; ww; xx; Zz.
In English, 12 vowels and 8 diphthongs are distinguished, and they are transmitted in writing by 6 letters: Aa; ee; li; Oh; Uu; Yy.

Video:

[English language. Starting Course. Maria Rarenko. First educational channel.]

Transcription and stress

Phonetic transcription is international system icons needed to accurately show how words should be pronounced. Each sound is displayed with a separate icon. These icons are always written in square brackets.
In transcription, verbal stress is indicated (which syllable in the word is stressed). accent sign [‘] placed before the stressed syllable.

English consonants

Features of English consonants
1. English consonants transmitted by letters b, f, g, m, s, v, z, close in pronunciation to the corresponding Russian consonants, but should sound more energetic and tense.
2. English consonants are not softened.
3. Voiced consonants are never stunned - neither before voiceless consonants, nor at the end of a word.
4. Double consonants, that is, two identical consonants side by side, are always pronounced as one sound.
5. Some English consonants are pronounced with a breath: the tip of the tongue must be pressed firmly against the alveoli (the bumps where the teeth attach to the gum). Then the air between the tongue and teeth will pass with effort, and you will get a noise (explosion), that is, aspiration.

Rules for reading consonants in English:,

Table of pronunciation of English consonants
Phonetic transcription	Examples
[b]	b ad, b ox	voiced sound corresponding to Russian [b] in the word b rat
[p]	o p en, p et	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [n] in the word P ero but pronounced breathy
[d]	d i d, d ay	voiced sound similar to Russian [d] in the word d ohm, but more energetic, "sharper"; when pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue rests on the alveoli
[t]	t ea, t ake	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [t] in the word t hermos, but pronounced aspirated, while the tip of the tongue rests on the alveoli
[v]	v oice, v isit	voiced sound corresponding to Russian [in] in the word in osc but more energetic
[f]	f ind, f ine	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [f] in the word f inic but more energetic
[z]	z oo, ha s	voiced sound corresponding to Russian [з] in the word h ima
[s]	s un, s ee	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [s] in the word with silt but more energetic; when pronouncing, the tip of the tongue is raised to the alveoli
[g]	g ive, g o	voiced sound corresponding to Russian [r] in the word G Irya but pronounced softer
[k]	c at, c an	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [k] in the word to mouth, but pronounced more energetically and aspirated
[ʒ]	vi si on, plea sur e	voiced sound corresponding to Russian [zh] in the word well macaw, but pronounced more intensely and softer
[ʃ]	sh e, Ru ss ia	deaf sound corresponding to Russian [w] in the word w ina, but is pronounced softer, for which you need to raise the middle part of the back of the tongue to the hard palate
[j]	y ellow, y ou	a sound similar to the Russian sound [th] in the word th one, but pronounced more energetically and intensely
[l]	l itt l e, l ike	sound similar to Russian [l] in the word l isa, but you need the tip of the tongue to touch the alveoli
[m]	m an, m erry	a sound similar to Russian [m] in a word m ir but more energetic; when pronouncing it, you need to close your lips tightly
[n]	n oh, n ame	sound similar to Russian [n] in the word n os, but when it is pronounced, the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli, and the soft palate is lowered, and air passes through the nose
[ŋ]	si ng, fi ng er	a sound in which the soft palate is lowered and touches the back of the back of the tongue, and air passes through the nose. To pronounce it like Russian [ng] is wrong; should be nasal
[r]	r ed, r abbit	a sound, during the pronunciation of which the raised tip of the tongue should touch the middle part of the palate, above the alveoli; tongue does not vibrate
[h]	h elp, h ow	a sound reminiscent of Russian [x] as in the word X aos, but almost silent (slightly audible exhalation), for which it is important not to press the tongue against the palate
[w]	w et, w inter	a sound similar to very quickly pronounced Russian [ue] in the word ue ls; at the same time, the lips need to be rounded and pushed forward, and then vigorously pushed apart
	j ust, j ump	a sound similar to [j] in a Russian loan word j insy, but more energetic and softer. You can not pronounce separately [d] and [ʒ]
	ch eck, mu ch	a sound similar to Russian [h] in a word h ace but stronger and more intense. You cannot pronounce [t] and [ʃ] separately
[ð]	th is, th ey	a sonorous sound, when pronouncing which the tip of the tongue must be placed between the upper and lower teeth and then quickly removed. Do not clamp the flat tongue with your teeth, but slightly push it into the gap between them. This sound (since it is voiced) is pronounced with the participation of the vocal cords. Similar to Russian [z] interdental
[θ]	th ink, seven th	a voiceless sound that is pronounced the same as [ð], but without a voice. Similar to Russian [s] interdental

English vowel sounds

The reading of each vowel depends on:
1. from other letters standing next to it, in front of it or behind it;
2. from being in a shock or unstressed position.

Rules for reading vowels in English:,

Table of pronunciation of simple English vowels
Phonetic transcription	Examples	Approximate matches in Russian
[æ]	c a t, bl a ck	a short sound, intermediate between the Russian sounds [a] and [e]. To get this sound, you need to pronounce Russian [a], open your mouth wide, and place your tongue low. Pronouncing just Russian [e] is wrong
[ɑ:]	ar m, f a ther	a long sound similar to Russian [a], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, as it were, but do not open your mouth wide, while pulling your tongue back
[ʌ]	c u p, r u n	a short sound similar to Russian unstressed [a] in the word with a dy. To get this sound, you need, while pronouncing Russian [a], almost do not open your mouth, while stretching your lips a little and pushing your tongue back a little. Pronouncing just Russian [a] is wrong
[ɒ]	n o t, h o t	a short sound similar to Russian [o] in the word d about m, but when pronouncing it, you need to completely relax your lips; for Russian [o] they are slightly tense
[ɔ:]	sp o rt, f ou r	a long sound similar to Russian [o], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, as it were, with your mouth half open, and tighten and round your lips.
[ə]	a bout, a lias	a sound that is often found in Russian is always in an unstressed position. In English, this sound is also always unstressed. It does not have a clear sound and is referred to as a vague sound (it cannot be replaced by any clear sound)
[e]	m e t,b e d	a short sound similar to Russian [e] under stress in words such as uh ti, pl e d etc. English consonants cannot be softened before this sound.
[ɜː]	w or k,l ear n	this sound does not exist in Russian, and it is very difficult to pronounce. Reminds me of Russian sound in words m yo d, St. yo cla, but you need to pull it much longer and at the same time stretch your lips strongly without opening your mouth (you get a skeptical smile)
[ɪ]	i t, p i t	a short sound similar to a Russian vowel in a word w and be. You have to pronounce it abruptly.
	h e, s ee	a long sound similar to Russian [and] under stress, but longer, and they pronounce it as if with a smile, stretching their lips. A Russian sound close to it is present in the word verse ai
[ʊ]	l oo k, p u t	a short sound that can be compared with the Russian unstressed [u], but it is pronounced energetically and with completely relaxed lips (lips cannot be pulled forward)
	bl u e, f oo d	a long sound, quite similar to the Russian percussion [y], but still not the same. To make it work, you need, while pronouncing Russian [y], do not stretch your lips into a tube, do not push them forward, but round and smile slightly. Like other long English vowels, it needs to be drawn much longer than Russian [y]

Diphthong pronunciation table
Phonetic transcription	Examples	Approximate matches in Russian
	f i ve, ey e	diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in Russian words ah and h ah
[ɔɪ]	n oi se, v oi ce	somehow. The second element, sound [ɪ], is very short
	br a ve, afr ai d	diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word w her ka. The second element, sound [ɪ], is very short
	t ow n, n ow	diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word with ay on the. The first element is the same as in ; the second element, sound [ʊ], very short
[əʊ]	h o me, kn ow	diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word class OU n, if you do not deliberately pronounce it in syllables (at the same time, the consonance resembles eu ). Pronouncing this diphthong as a pure Russian consonance [oh] is wrong
[ɪə]	d ea r,h e re	diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in the Russian word such; consists of short sounds [ɪ] and [ə]
	wh e re, th e re	diphthong, similar to the combination of sounds in the Russian word long-necked, if you do not pronounce it in syllables. Behind the sound, reminiscent of Russian [e] in the word uh then, the second element follows, an obscure short sound [ə]
[ʊə]	t ou r,p oo r	a diphthong in which [ʊ] is followed by a second element, an indistinct short sound [ə]. When pronouncing [ʊ], the lips cannot be pulled forward

“It would be better if you wrote sounds in English with Russian pronunciation”, - some students ask us, referring to transcriptions in the style of “ wonderful, beautyful, darling”.

No, friends, nevertheless we (Lingualeo-vtsy) urge you not to equate Russian and English sounds. They are not identical! Writing “Russian transcriptions” is generally TABOO! Better deal with the fearsome signs English transcription. Learn to pronounce each of these sounds. At the same time, find and work out every difference between the English sound and our “analogue”.

An article on how not to make a wild vest out of the Wild West

Today we will analyze as many as 6 consonants of the English language. Click on the link to go to the sound you are interested in:

The choice was not made by chance: all 6 sounds are formed with the participation of the lips.

We will work out the sounds according to the scheme that we used in previous articles:

• Theory: we will deal in detail with what pronunciation mistakes many students make,
• Practice: practice on a special set of words, videos and tongue twisters,
• Examples: Let's find some illustrative examples of the use of sound in a famous song.

Consonant / b / - sounds in English and their pronunciation in Russian

Pronounced in words b ack,b ill, ab oard. The articulation of the sound is the same as that of the Russian sound /b/, but the lips are compressed more tightly, and the sound is pronounced more intensely.

Pronunciation English sounds- video

EXERCISE. Practice correct pronunciation on the next words. Remember that you need to compress your lips harder than for the Russian sound!

Another difference in the sound /b/: it NEVER softens before front vowels (like our i, e, yu, i). Yes, in a word ticket– / b’ / soft, but in a word bill- solid.

Listen to this song excerpt “Bit by bit” Canadian rock band mother mother. It is clearly audible in it that in the word bit /bɪt/ and in the word by /baɪ/ the sound is equally solid.

Bit by bit
Gonna get my bricks out in the sticks
Bit by bit
Gonna build my house in the wildest thickets

From 0:14 to 0:26.Full song and lyrics .

EXERCISE. Practice saying a hard consonant before front vowels in words. To do this, first pronounce a hard consonant and only then raise the middle back of the tongue to the hard palate to pronounce the vowel.

beyond /biˈjɒnd/

better /ˈbetər/

before /bɪˈfɔːr/

beacon /ˈbiːkən/

There is another difficulty with this sound- it is not stunned at the end of a word, as in our language - oak /dup /, hump /gorp/, etc. But we will talk about this after we deal with the next sound - / p /.

Consonant sound /p/ in English

Pronounced in words: park, pure, pilot. The difference from the Russian sound is the same as that of his voiced pair: The lips are compressed more tightly. Another important detail is that the sound is pronounced with strong aspiration.

More details in the video. To show the power of inhalation, the facilitator conducts a demonstrative experiment with a piece of paper (starting at 1:24).

The degree of aspiration (= aspiration) depends on the position in the word:

• Strong aspiration before a long vowel or before a diphthong (peter).
• Weaker before short vowel (pit).
• Weaker before an unstressed vowel (cheapest) or at the end of a word (lip).
• Virtually absent after the /s/ sound (spot).

EXERCISE. Practice the correct pronunciation of /p/ in words. Remember that you need to squeeze your lips harder and make a breathy sound.

poach /pəʊtʃ/

The next difference from our Russian / n / is again the absence of palatalization (= softening) before front vowels. In Russian, a hard / soft consonant distinguishes the meaning of the word: dust - drank but in English there is no such thing. Yes, in a word letter the sound / n ' / will be soft, but in the word peace- solid.

Listen to Mick Jagger say the word pill /pɪl / with solid sound/p/ and a distinct breath.

And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper

P.S. it may seem to you that the sound is still soft (this happens), but this is just a deception of phonemic hearing: we are used to softening and “want” to hear it.

From 0:22 to 0:27. You can find the full lyrics of the song.

EXERCISE. Practice saying hard /p/ before front vowels. First pronounce the hard consonant and only then the vowel.

pencil /ˈpensəl/

piano /piˈænəʊ/

English double consonants /b–p/

Now let's talk about the promised absence of stunning / voicing of the sound. There are processes in Russian:

• When a voiceless sound precedes a voiced one, it also becomes voiced: Thatp d syatka / thatbd' is’atk /,
• when a voiced sound is at the end of a word, it becomes deaf: oak / dup /.

In English, voiceless /p/ does not sound when it is in front of a voiced sound: sto pB ob/stɒ pbɒb/.

And the voiced / b / is not stunned in the final position. It becomes weaker and shorter, but remains VOICED! Otherwise, you can change the meaning of the word: cab (taxi) – cap (cap).

Listen to Chris Rock say the word club.

We stay in the club . We live in the club . We die in the club . We get our car washed in the club . We go to school in the club . We go to the cleaners in the club .

From the beginning of the video

EXERCISE. Before you are words ending in / b / and / p /. Say them according to the transcription without deafening the /b/ sound at the end. Remember that the /b/ sound becomes weaker, and /p/ is pronounced with a partial aspiration.

cu b/kʌ b/
cu p/kʌ p/

li b/lɪ b/
li p/lɪ p/

pu b/pʌ b/
pu p/pʌ p/

ro be/rəʊ b/
ro pe/rəʊ p/

ta b/tæ b/
ta p/tæ p/

ca b/kæ b/
ca p/kæ p/

ri b/rɪ b/
ri p/rɪ p/

bu b/bʌ b/
boom p/bʌm p/

clu b/klʌ b/
clum p/klʌm p/

When you have mastered all the details of the correct pronunciation, fix the result with tongue twisters.

For sound /b/

• A B ritish b wilder b uilt a b wilding of b rown b ricks. A B ulgarian b wilder b uilt a b wilding of b lack b ricks.
• A b ig b lack b ug b it a b ig b lack b ear, a b ig b lack b ear b it a b ig b lack b ug.
• B etty's b a b y's name is B ar b y. B etty's B ar b y is a b ad- b ad b oy. B aby B ar b y is a b ad b ad b aby. B etty b ought a b right b lue b lanket for her b a b y- b oy.

For sound /p/

• P retty P olly P erkins has a p air of p retty p laits.
• P eter P i p er p icked a p eck of p ickled p e pp er, a p eck of p ickled p e pp er P eter Pi p er p icked. If P eter P i p er p icked a p eck of p ickled p e pp er, where's the p eck of p ickled p e pp er P eter P i p er p icked?
• P ablo P icasso p ut off his p alette, p aintbox and p aintbrushes. And p ainted with p en a p picture of a p easy p lace in P aris. With a p ink p alace and a p aled p arc p lenty of p retty p lants. What's the p ossible p icture's p rice?

Consonant sound /m/ - pronunciation of English sounds in Russian with transcription

Another sound that is formed with the help of the lips. Pronounced in words mother, my, monkey. Unlike the Russian sound /m/, the lips are compressed more tightly again.

Pay attention to how strongly the leader compresses his lips, pronouncing the sound /m/.

One more detail: the /m/ sound can be longer / shorter depending on the position in the word.

It sounds longer:

• At the end of an isolated word after a short vowel (dim),
• Before a voiced consonant (lambs),
• Before a vowel (mole).

Sounds shorter before a voiceless consonant (lamp).

EXERCISE. Practice the correct articulation of the sound on the following words. Squeeze your lips harder and remember about the positional longitude of the sound.

The next difference (I will not tire of repeating): the sound does not have a soft option. Russian word Milka (name of chocolate) we pronounce with a soft sound, and English milk (milk) - with solid.

Listen to how the combination of words is pronounced in the song make me feel, where the sound /m/ is equally hard in both words.

From 0:43 to 1:01. Look for the whole song.

EXERCISE. Practice the pronunciation of the solid consonant. To do this, first pronounce a solid consonant, and only after that - a vowel.

mickey /ˈmɪki/

By and large, these are all the difficulties associated with the correct pronunciation of the English sound /m/. So let's jump right into the rhetoric:

• The m useu m has m any m e m orable m onu m ents to the m e m ory of so m e re m arcable
  m e m bers of the M osle m co mm unity.
• God m ad the bees, and the bees m ak honey, M iller's m an does all the work, but the m iller m akes the m oney.
• A m erry m iller m ills m illet at m idday. A m orose m iller m ills m illet at m idnight.

Pronunciation of the consonant /w/

Pronounced in words why, was, warm. The sound is already more complex and has no analogue in our language.

At the same time, it seems to many Russian speakers that it is identical to Russian / in /, so the writer Wa lter Scott became with us Wa Lter Scott.

Another mistake is to pronounce the same Walter as Walter, that is, to replace the sound / w / with Russian / y /.

How do you pronounce this sound?

• The lips are strongly rounded and somewhat pushed forward, forming a narrow round opening.
• The back of the tongue rises to the soft palate. The soft palate and lateral edges of the tongue are raised and air flows along its middle.
• Instantly, the tongue and lips move to the position for pronouncing the next vowel.

So, pronouncing Russian / в / we press the upper teeth to the lower lip (say the word Vova and feel the articulation). For the correct pronunciation of /w/, one must very vigorously push the lips forward, as if it were necessary to blow out a candle, and immediately go to the articulation of the next vowel after /w/.

Unlike Russian / y /, rounded lips do not protrude forward as much. We pronounce the sound quickly. Lips are tight.

EXERCISE. Practice the correct pronunciation. Bring tense lips into a small hole and slightly push them forward. After pronouncing the / w / sound, immediately move on to the articulation of the next vowel.

As an illustrative example, I suggest taking the Enrique Iglesias song “Love To See You Cry”, where the singer very clearly demonstrates the desired position of the lips.

I don't know why why but I love to see you cry
I don't know why why it just makes me feel alive

From 1:52 to 1:57. Search lyrics.

EXERCISE. Practice reading the following contrasting pairs of Russian and English words. Pay attention to the energetic articulation of the /w/ sound and do not replace it with Russian sounds /v, u/.

Winnie - Winnie

brews - worried

William – William

water

fork - we'll

screw - wind

swift - swift

wind

It is simply necessary to train to distinguish between these sounds. If you replace /w/ with /v/, you can change the meaning of the word:

wet - vet (wet - veterinarian), worse - verse (worse - verse), while - vile (at that time - vile, mean), west - vest (west - vest).

We fix the result with tongue twisters:

• W innie is as w like as w ater.
• wh y w oldn't W alter w Ash w ith w ater that w asn't w arm?
• wh y do you cry, W illie? wh do you cry? wh y, W illie? wh y, W illie? wh y, W illie? wh y?

So, we have analyzed the lip-labial sounds. Let's move on to the labial and dental.

Sound / v / - English for beginners: pronunciation of sounds

For convenience, we have now talked about Russian /v/ and English /v/ as similar sounds. But in reality they are different.

The English version is again more intense due to the fact that English speakers slightly bite the lip, while we just touch the upper teeth to the lower lip (say the word Vova and feel the articulation).

Now watch the video and see the difference

EXERCISE. Practice the correct pronunciation of the words. Remember that you need to press the upper teeth more tightly against the lower lip, and the sound should turn out to be more intense.

vocal /ˈvəʊkəl/

voter /ˈvəʊtər/

vodka /ˈvɒdkə/

volume /ˈvɒljuːm/

vacuum /ˈvækjuːm/

vacation /vəˈkeɪʃən/

vulgar /ˈvʌlɡər/

Next typical mistake associated with this sound is its softening (yes, yes, it is again). I will not stop repeating: in English there is no alternation of hard and soft consonants. In the word believe we will say a soft sound, but in a word very- solid.
Listen to Carly Simon pronounce the word vain /veɪn/.

You're so wine
You probably think this song is about you
You're so wine, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

From 0:53 to 1:10. Full version of the song.

EXERCISE.

vicar /ˈvɪkər/

visit /ˈvɪzɪt/

veto /ˈviːtəʊ/

vegan /ˈviːɡən/

Double consonant / f /

Here the difference is the same: it is pronounced more energetically and distinctly. In addition, the sound is longer.

EXERCISE. Practice correct articulation. To do this, press the upper teeth more tightly to the lower lip, make the sound more intense and prolonged.

You already know the next difference in sound: it never softens. In the word the finish we speak a soft sound, but in a word finger- solid.

Listen to how the Beatles pronounce a combination of words feel /fiːl/ and fine /faɪn/, where it is clearly audible that the sound is equally hard in both words.

I'm in love with her and I feel fine

From 0:23 to 0:29. Full lyrics of the song.

EXERCISE. Practice pronouncing the hard consonant.

finger /ˈfɪŋɡər/

feeble /ˈfiːbl/

Well, according to tradition, we repeat about the lack of stunning. The /v/ sound at the end of a word should be weaker and shorter, but sonorous. Remember that replacing /v/ with /f/ can change the meaning of the word: leave /li:v/ (live) – leaf /liːf/ (leaf).

As an example of voiced pronunciation, I again suggest listening to an excerpt from the legendary song Carly Simon “You're so vain”.

You had me several years ago
When I was still quite nai ve
Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave

From 1:10 to 1:27

EXERCISE. Before you are words ending in / v / and / f /. Say the sounds of the English language according to the transcription without deafening the sound / v / at the end. Remember that the /v/ sound becomes weaker and shorter, but remains sonorous.

lea ve/liː v/
lea f/liː f/

o f /ɒ v/
o ff /ɒ f/

gi ve /ɡɪ v/
gi f /ɡɪ f/

hal ve/hɑː v/
hal f/hɑː f/

gu v /ɡʌ v/
gu ff /ɡʌ f/

pro ve/pruː v/
proo f/pruː f/

sa ve/seɪ v/
sa fe/seɪ f/

Belie ve/bɪˈliː v/
Belie f/bɪˈliː f/

grie ve/ɡriː v/
grie f/ɡriː f/

ser ve/sɜː v/
sur f/sɜː f/

do ve/dʌ v/
du ff/dʌ f/

As always, we complete the training with tongue twisters for practicing English sounds.

For sound /v/

• E v e is v ery v ain and V i v ienne is v i v acious and full of v er v e.
• A v ery v ersed v aluer v alued the v Alue of the v anished V enetian v as in V atican.
• A v illage v et v isits v illagers in the v icinity to v accinate v illage cal v es from a v irrulent v irus.

Tone tongue twisters / f /

• That f ish has a f at f in, this f ish is a f ish that has a thinner f in than that f ish.
• The f irst f ly f lies f orty- f our f eet. The f ourth f ly f lies f orty- f ive f eet. The f i f th f ly f lies f i f ty- f our f eet. What f ly f lies f i f ty- f ive f eet?
• F rank's f later f ollowed a f ox's f ootprints in a f orest. F red's f later f ollowed a f erret's f ootprints in a f ield.

At the same place at the same time

We did a great job today. Together with previous articles, we have already studied 16 sounds. So, it remains to parse 44 - 16 = 28. : “options” / and / and /e/ in English (believe me, they are very different from ours). See ya!

Studying English, we try to speak more and faster, form thoughts, replenish vocabulary, but we often forget about such an important aspect of the language as pronunciation. And the point is not at all in the accent, but in understanding the differences between the sound system of Russian and English.

As you know, in the system of sounds of the English language there are sounds similar to the sounds of the Russian language, there are those that differ and those that are completely absent in Russian.

Many people try to make their speech more "English" by highlighting the characteristic "English" sounds in speech, such as /r/ and /w/, the pronunciation of sounds /t/ and /d/ "aspirated". But it often happens that the desire to sound "in English" negatively affects our pronunciation.

I decided to touch on the topic of sounds, because more and more often I notice that in speech they replace some sounds with others. This article is about sounds. /v/ and /w/ .

Having mastered the pronunciation of the sound /w/ (which is not in Russian), many begin to use it in words where they should pronounce the sound /v/, which is an analogue of Russian.

Yes, for us, these two sounds are really similar, because when studying foreign language we subconsciously look for analogies and find them. They are written in a similar way, and it seems to us that they are pronounced the same way and there is not much difference between them.

This is a big misconception. To a foreigner's ear, the sounds /v/ and /w/ are completely different sounds. It is rather strange for them to hear another sound instead of one, especially since this can affect the meaning of words. So it turns out that instead of visit we say wisit , very turns into wery, vase - into wase .

Are you using the /v/ and /w/ sounds correctly? Let's check!

Sound /w/

As already noted, this sound does not exist in Russian. But, oddly enough, there are no problems with it. It is usually pronounced correctly.

/w/ is pronounced with "round" lips that you pull out, as if you want to make the sound O, but say a sound like V. The result is something between V and U. Let's practice:

When, while, weather, worm, which, word, warm, winter, woman, week, awaiting, awake, award

Sound /v/

The letter "v" conveys the sound /v/ . When pronouncing this sound, the lips do not round. To pronounce it, you need to touch your upper teeth to your lower lip.

This is a voiced sound, it corresponds to a deaf sound / f / . To make sure that the sound is pronounced loudly, touch your throat with your hand and you will feel the vibration of the vocal cords.

In general, it makes no sense to describe the entire technology of sound pronunciation, it would be easier to say that it is pronounced like the Russian sound V. Without any rounding of the lips and “English pronunciation”. Try to pronounce these words, but do not round your lips, pronounce it like in Russian:

Very, vary, various, variety, vibration, voice, village, video, vampire.

If you still do not feel the difference between the sounds, then it is best to practice in front of a mirror.

First, pronounce the familiar Russian sound B, paying attention to how you pronounce it, where your lips and teeth are at the same time.

Then round your lips and watch how you pronounce the /w/ sound. Teeth do not take part in his pronunciation at all. Let's practice pronouncing a couple of words:

West-vest
vet-wet
wow wow
vile - while
veil - wail
veal-wheel
vine - wine
viper - wiper
roving - rowing
worse-verse
wiser - visor

Now let's try to pronounce sounds in sentences:

Victor's wife Victoria was very wise.

It was very warm weather all weekend.

I will wear my valuable watch next week.

When will Vick weigh and deliver the veal?

We were involved in Vivian's wedding plans.

We never view or watch videos on Wednesdays.

In addition, to develop the correct pronunciation, you need to regularly practice the pronunciation of sounds and bring their pronunciation to automaticity. For this, the so-called Tongue Twisters are perfect - tongue twisters aimed at developing articulation, that is, pronunciation. They often lack deep meaning, so if you decide to translate them, don't be surprised.

Practice pronouncing these tongue twisters, paying attention to the pronunciation of the /v/ and /w/ sounds. At first it may seem to you that you will break the language, so first read very slowly, then faster, and so on several times until you bring the pronunciation to automaticity:

Vivian, Valerie, and Virginia verbally voiced vivid salvos.

Wise women don't walk in the woods while wolves wander.

Woodson's waistcoat is weirdly vented.

Groves of vines veered west along the villain's veranda.

Wendell Vaccario wasted vine after vine.

Woolen vests for wailing wolves are worn in the vast woodlands.

Varied berries are wetted while Val and Walt whisper in vain.

Mervin never drives when vexing wooing vendors.

Walt's villa is verging on the weird and vile.

And finally, a useful video on the pronunciation of /v/ and /w/ sounds:

If you notice that you are pronouncing sounds incorrectly, then do not rush to get upset. As you practice, you will definitely improve your pronunciation. To do this, you need to listen more to the pronunciation of native speakers (radio, movies, programs) and of course, to talk!

If you have been wanting to start learning English for a long time, now is the time to start. The conversational course is best for developing pronunciation. Sign up now and enjoy learning!

The video lesson shows how to pronounce the consonant correctly. /w/ on the example of words where this sound occurs at the beginning, middle and end. And also similar sounds are compared on examples /w/ and /v/.

Examples of words with transcription:

wet — / wet / - wet, wet

one — / wʌn / - one

when — / wen / - when

beware — / bi'weə / - beware, beware

quick — / kwik / - fast

queen — / kwi:n / - queen

Often foreigners confuse the sound /w/ and the sound /v/ in English words. For example, in the word university, many people very often mistakenly use the /v/ sound.

English Joke

Everybody on earth dies and goes to heaven. God comes and says "I want the men to make two lines. One line for the men that dominated their women on earth and the other line for the men that were whipped by their women. Also, I want all the women to go with St. Peter."
Said and done, the next time God looks the women are gone and there are two lines. The line of the men that were whipped was 100 miles long, on the line of men that dominated women there was only one man.
God got mad and said, “You men should be ashamed of yourselves. I created you in my image, and you were all whipped by your mates. Look at the only one of my sons that stood up and made me proud, learn from him! Tell them my son how did you manage to be the only one on that line?”
The man said, "I don't know. My wife told me to stand here."