Master American Pronunciation and Intonation

Summary

This video teaches American English pronunciation and intonation, focusing on the question phrase 'What do you want me to do?' It emphasizes linking words together, stress patterns, and how to pronounce key sounds like 'want' and 'to.' The lesson covers how to ask questions with correct intonation and respond with natural speech, demonstrating silent sounds and how to make phrases flow smoothly. Learners practice forming questions and answers, using examples with different subjects, including 'her' and 'him,' to master American English pronunciation and intonation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stress the important words in questions, such as the verb (e.g., 'want') while reducing stress on smaller words like 'do' and 'me'.
• 😀 When asking questions like 'What do you want me to do?', the intonation should fall at the end.
• 😀 In fast speech, words link together, such as 'What do you want me to do?' becoming 'whadaya want me to do?'.
• 😀 The 't' sound in words like 'want' and 'to' often becomes silent or softened, especially in rapid speech.
• 😀 The 'h' in unstressed words like 'her' is silent, contributing to smoother speech.
• 😀 When answering questions like 'What do you want me to do?', the intonation for positive answers (e.g., 'I want you to cook') should also fall.
• 😀 The word 'to' is often softened to 'ta' or 'duh' when said quickly, especially between vowels.
• 😀 Linking sounds (e.g., 'want you' becomes 'wanna you') help make speech more fluid and natural.
• 😀 The pronunciation of 'want' changes in fast speech, where it can sound like 'wanna'.
• 😀 Pronunciation patterns like silent letters and softened sounds help reduce the effort in speaking quickly while maintaining clarity.
• 😀 Practice sentence variations with different subjects ('me', 'her', 'him') to master linking and pronunciation patterns.

Q & A

Why does the intonation go down at the end of an information question like 'What do you want me to do?'

In American English, the intonation typically goes down at the end of an information question to signal that it is a complete query. This helps the listener understand that the speaker is seeking specific information.

What is the importance of stressing certain words in sentences like 'What do you want me to do?'

Stressing important words, such as the verb 'want,' helps to emphasize the key part of the message, making the sentence clearer and more focused for the listener.

Why do we link the words 'what do' together in the question 'What do you want me to do?'

Linking the words 'what do' together helps create a smoother flow of speech, making the sentence sound more natural and less choppy, which is common in conversational American English.

How do you pronounce 'want' in 'What do you want me to do?'

'Want' is pronounced with a very soft 't' sound or sometimes it is almost silent, with the tongue coming up a little but not fully touching the roof of the mouth.

What is the reason for softening the 'to' in 'What do you want me to do?'

The 'to' is softened or sometimes pronounced as 'duh' because it occurs between vowels, making the pronunciation smoother and more natural in conversational speech.

What does the silent 'h' in 'What do you want her to do?' indicate?

The silent 'h' in 'her' occurs because the word 'her' is unstressed in the sentence. In English, unstressed words often have silent or softened sounds.

How does intonation change in the affirmative response to 'What do you want me to do?'

In affirmative responses like 'I want you to cook,' the intonation goes down at the end to indicate a statement rather than a question.

Why is it important to pronounce 'want' clearly in a sentence like 'I want you to study'?

The word 'want' is the main verb of the sentence, so it should be stressed and pronounced clearly to convey the intended message accurately.

How do you pronounce 'I want you to' in the sentence 'I want you to cook'?

'I want you to' is pronounced with linking, where 'want' and 'you' blend together, and the 'to' can be softened to sound like 'ta' or 'duh,' making the phrase more fluid.

What is the difference in pronunciation between 'What do you want me to do?' and 'What do you want him to do?'

The difference lies in the use of 'me' versus 'him.' 'Him' has a silent 'h,' and the 't' in 'want' is often softened, making both phrases sound more fluid and less formal in speech.