3.6: Connected Speech
In this section, you will learn about four rules of connected speech. You have already seen some of these rules in previous units, so some of this information may be review.
Linking: Final Consonant to Beginning Vowel
Rules to Remember
When a word with a final consonant is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, link the consonant to the vowel in the next word. Why?
- The final consonant will be easier to say.
- Your speech will sound more natural.
- This will improve your listening skills because you will start to hear when native speakers link consonants to vowels.
Examples:
- them all ------> thə-mall
- an apple -----> a-napple
- walk away ----> wal-kəway
Listening Practice
Listen to these sentences from the interview with Andy in Unit 2. Pay attention to the words in bold. Notice that the final consonant attaches to the beginning vowel of the next word. The pronunciation of the words in bold is written to the right of each sentence. Listening - Sentences from Unit 2.m4a
- I’d like to ask you some questions if that’s ok? = question -sif
- Tell me a little bit about yourself. = bi-təbout
- I live in San Diego. =li-vin
- I have a younger brother and an older sister. =an-dən
- I work outside on the farming plots. =outsi-don
- What do you like about your job? =li-kəbout
Linking Practice
Listen to the short conversations. Draw a link from the underlined sounds to the vowel in the next word. Linking Practice.m4a
- a. Where do you live? b. I li v e in San Diego.
- a. What do you li k e about your job? b. I like working outsi d e in the sun.
- a. Do you ha v e any pets? b. I don't ow n a pet.
- a. Do you like to ge t u p early? b. No, I prefer to stay up late.
- a. Do you eat meat? b. No, I avoi d eating meat.
Recording: Linking Final Consonant to Beginning Vowel
Practice the conversations above with a partner. When you're ready, record yourself reading each of the conversations. Remember to link the final consonant vowel to the next word.
Linking: Final Consonant to the Same Consonant
Rules to Remember
When a word that ends with a consonant sound is followed by the same (or similar) consonant sound in the next word, you only say that sound once. Look at the examples below.
Examples:
-
bla
ckcoffee ----> blakoffee -
o
nenight ----> wonight -
weathe
rreport ----> weatherəport
Listening Practice
Listen and repeat the phrases in the box below. Listening Practice - Linking Consonant to Consonant .m4a
black coffee some more need to good day
bus stop sit down book club gas station
Complete the sentences using the phrases from above.
- Thanks for coming. Have a _______________.
- I’m going to a _________________ meeting today. I love reading.
- I’m going to stop at the _____________ before I go to work.
- I ____________ go to the store.
- I like to drink my coffee with milk, but my husband prefers ______________.
- Can I have ______________ cake please? It’s so good!
- Please __________________ The show will begin soon.
- The bus was very late. We had to wait at the ________________ all morning.
Recording: Linking Consonant to Consonant
Listen to each of the sentences and repeat them with a partner. When you're ready, make a recording of yourself reading the sentences. Remember to link the phrases that end and begin with the same consonant sound. Linking Consonant to Consonant .m4a
Review: Linking Final Consonant to Beginning Vowel & Final Consonant to Same Consonant
Watch the Video: Connected Speech and Linking - Elemental English
Answer the Questions
After you watch the video, answer the questions below. Choose True or False.
-
The goal of learning English pronunciation is to sound exactly like a native English speaker.
- True
- False
-
The goal of learning English pronunciation is to understand other English speakers, and to be easily understood.
- True
- False
-
English is sometimes difficult to understand because Americans speak fast.
- True
- False
-
English is sometimes difficult to understand because Americans connect words and change sounds when they speak.
- True
- False
-
English speakers use connected speech because they want to make themselves difficult to understand.
- True
- False
-
English speakers use connected speech because it allows them to speak efficiently and with rhythm.
- True
- False
-
When we speak, we connect the final consonant of a word to the vowel of the next word. For example: “drop it” sounds like “dro-pit.”
- True
- False
-
When the final consonant sound of a word and the beginning consonant sound of the next word are the same, you only say that sound one time. Example: “book club” sounds like “booklub.”
- True
- False
Check your Answers
Linking and Sound Change: /t/ = /d/
Rules to Remember
When the /t/ sound comes between two vowels, it sounds like a quick /d/.
Examples:
- matter ----> madder
- a lot of ----> əloddə
Listening Practice: Changing /t/ to /d/
Listen to the conversations. Write the missing words on the line to complete each sentence. Each word or phrase has a /t/ sound between two vowels, so it sounds like a /d/. Remember to spell the words and phrases correctly. Changing t to d.m4a
Recording: Changing /t/ to /d/
Practice the conversations with a partner. When you're ready, record yourself reading each of the conversations. Remember to change the /t/ sound to a /d/ sound when the /t/ sound is between two vowels.
- a. I’m going to a party and Saturday. Do you want to come? b. No, thanks. I have a lot of homework to do.
- a. What are you doing? b. I’m writing a letter to my aunt. She doesn’t use email.
- a. Would you like butter on your toast or just jam? b. Just a little butter, please.
- a. Did you meet the new boss? b. No, I’m meeting her this afternoon.
- a. Would you like water or soda to drink? b. Just a water bottle, please, but with a lot of ice.
- a. Could you get the door please? b. Wait a minute.
Linking and Sound Change: Final /d/ + /y/
Rules to Remember
When the /d/ sound (as in "did") comes before the /j/ sound (as in "you"), it becomes a /ʤ/ sound (as in "juice.")
Examples:
- did you ----> diʤə
- read you ----> reaʤər
Watch the Video: Transforming d + y in English Pronunciation - Elemental English
Listening Practice: d + y
Listen. Complete the sentences with the missing words. Listening Practice d + y.m4a
Recording: Connected Speech
Practice the questions with a partner. When you're ready, record yourself reading each of the questions. Remember to change the d + y to a /ʤ/ sound.
- Where did you grow up?
- Would you help me please?
- Did you go?
- Could you close the window?
- They called you yesterday.
- Did you hear what I said?
- Would you like tea or coffee?