Sound Fluent: Types of Connected Speech

Summary

This video tutorial on connected speech explains how fluent English speakers often link words together for smoother communication. It covers four key types of connected speech: linking (connecting consonants with vowels), insertion (adding *w* and *y* sounds between vowels), deletion (dropping *t* and *d* sounds in consonant clusters), and lengthening (prolonging consonant sounds when they appear at the end and start of adjacent words). Through clear examples and practice exercises, viewers are encouraged to apply these rules to improve their spoken fluency and sound more natural in everyday conversation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Linking connects the final consonant sound of one word with the initial vowel of the next word. Example: 'watch out' becomes 'watchout'.
• 😀 Insertion involves adding a 'w' or 'y' sound between vowels. Example: 'blue ink' becomes 'blueink' with a 'w' inserted.
• 😀 Deletion occurs when 't' and 'd' sounds are removed from consonant clusters. Example: 'blind man' becomes 'blin man' with the 'd' deleted.
• 😀 Lengthening happens when the same consonant sound appears at the end of one word and the beginning of the next, like in 'police station' (lengthened 's' sound).
• 😀 The 'w' sound is inserted between vowels after 'u' or 'o' sounds. Example: 'blue ink' or 'no art' becomes 'bluewing' and 'noart'.
• 😀 The 'y' sound is inserted between vowels after sounds like 'e', 'i', and 'a'. Example: 'be able' becomes 'beable' and 'tie it' becomes 'tieit'.
• 😀 Linking helps in fluent speech by connecting words more smoothly, making speech faster and easier to follow.
• 😀 Insertion of 'w' and 'y' sounds improves the flow of speech by reducing the pauses between vowel sounds in words.
• 😀 Deletion of 't' and 'd' sounds in consonant clusters is a common feature of connected speech in casual conversations.
• 😀 Lengthening consonants creates a smoother and more continuous sound when two identical consonants meet across word boundaries, improving fluency.

Q & A

What is connected speech?

Connected speech refers to the natural blending of words in fluent speech. It allows for smoother and faster communication by linking sounds and omitting or modifying certain phonetic elements.

What are the four main types of connected speech discussed in the lesson?

The four types of connected speech discussed are: Linking, Insertion, Deletion, and Lengthening.

Can you explain linking in connected speech?

Linking occurs when a final consonant sound of one word connects with the initial vowel sound of the next word. This creates a more fluid transition between words. Examples include 'watch out' and 'get up'.

What is insertion, and when does it occur?

Insertion involves adding a 'w' or 'y' sound between vowel sounds to help ease the transition between words. It occurs particularly when two vowels are adjacent, like in 'blue ink' (blue-wingk) or 'do it' (do-wit).

What are the main types of insertion and provide examples for each?

There are two types of insertion: 'w' sound insertion (between vowels) and 'y' sound insertion. For example, 'blue ink' becomes 'blue-wingk' (w insertion), and 'be able' becomes 'be-y-able' (y insertion).

How does deletion work in connected speech?

Deletion involves omitting certain consonant sounds, especially [t] and [d], in consonant clusters where they appear in the middle of words. For instance, 'blind man' becomes 'blind-man', with the 'd' sound dropped.

What are consonant clusters, and how does deletion apply to them?

Consonant clusters are groups of consonants that appear together in words. Deletion applies to consonant clusters when [t] or [d] sounds are in the middle, such as in 'wild boar' (wild-boar) where the 'd' is dropped.

What is lengthening in connected speech, and when does it occur?

Lengthening occurs when a word ends with the same consonant that begins the next word, making the consonant sound longer. Examples include 'police station' where the 's' sound is lengthened.

Can you provide examples of lengthening in connected speech?

Yes! Examples of lengthening include 'police station' (S lengthened), 'like coke' (K lengthened), and 'nice size' (S lengthened). These happen when consecutive words share the same ending and beginning consonants.

Why is it important to practice connected speech?

Practicing connected speech helps improve fluency and naturalness in speech. It allows learners to speak more quickly and sound more like native speakers by making speech more fluid and less choppy.