How to Speak English Fast and Understand Natives

Summary

This video teaches how to speak and understand English more naturally by focusing on common tricks used by native speakers. It covers various speech reductions, blending sounds, and contractions that make everyday conversations faster and smoother. The script includes practical examples, such as reducing 'going to' to 'gonna,' using slang, mimicking real dialogues, and shadowing native speakers. The goal is to help learners sound more confident and natural in spoken English, moving beyond grammar and vocabulary to focus on rhythm, flow, and real-world habits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Native speakers often reduce and link words to sound more fluent and natural, which can make it hard for non-native speakers to understand.
• 😀 Reduced forms are a common feature in spoken English, such as 'I'm going to' becoming 'I'm gonna' or 'I want to' becoming 'wanna'.
• 😀 Dropping sounds and blending words together is common in casual speech (e.g., 'kind of' becomes 'kinda').
• 😀 Tapping (flapping) occurs when a T or D sound is between two vowels, making words like 'better' sound like 'bedder'.
• 😀 Elision involves dropping sounds to make speech smoother and faster (e.g., 'next door' becomes 'nex door').
• 😀 Assimilation or blending sounds is when words combine to make pronunciation faster (e.g., 'did you' becomes 'didya').
• 😀 In spoken English, it is common to drop the subject in sentences when the meaning is obvious from context (e.g., 'coming' instead of 'are you coming?').
• 😀 Contractions like 'I'm' for 'I am', 'he's' for 'he is', and 'they're' for 'they are' make speech sound more natural.
• 😀 Intrusion is the process of adding extra sounds between words to make them flow more smoothly (e.g., 'just do it' becomes 'just do it').
• 😀 To sound more natural, it’s helpful to use casual slang (e.g., 'chill' instead of 'relax') and practice real-life dialogues with shadowing.

Q & A

What are reduced forms in spoken English?

Reduced forms in spoken English refer to the shortening of words or phrases to make speech faster and more natural. For example, 'I'm going to' becomes 'I'm gonna' and 'want to' becomes 'wanna'.

How does linking affect native English speakers' speech?

Linking in English involves connecting words together smoothly, often dropping or blending sounds, which makes speech faster and harder to follow for non-native speakers. It contributes to a more fluid and natural rhythm.

Can you give examples of reduced forms in spoken English?

Yes, examples include 'I'm going to' becoming 'I'm gonna', 'want to' becoming 'wanna', and 'got to' becoming 'gotta'. These reductions are commonly used in informal speech to increase fluency.

What does the term 'tapping' refer to in American English?

'Tapping' refers to the softening of 't' or 'd' sounds between two vowels, turning them into a quick, almost 'd' sound. For example, 'better' sounds like 'bedder', and 'water' sounds like 'wader'.

What is elision and how is it used in spoken English?

Elision involves dropping a sound, usually a 't' or 'd', to make speech smoother and faster. For example, 'next door' becomes 'nex door' and 'most common' becomes 'mos common'.

What are some common examples of assimilation in English?

Assimilation occurs when sounds are blended or simplified in fast speech. Examples include 'did you' becoming 'didja', 'could you' becoming 'couldya', and 'would you' becoming 'wouldya'.

How do native speakers use contractions in casual speech?

In casual speech, native speakers often use contractions like 'I'm' for 'I am', 'he's' for 'he is', 'they're' for 'they are', and 'I'd' for 'I would'. These contractions make speech quicker and more natural.

What role do slang expressions play in sounding natural in English?

Slang expressions make English sound more informal and native-like. For instance, saying 'chill' instead of 'relax', or 'hang out' instead of 'spend time together', helps to make speech sound more conversational and fluent.

What is shadowing and how does it improve spoken English?

Shadowing is a technique where you listen to a native speaker and repeat what they say at the same time. This helps mimic the rhythm, tone, and speed of native speech, improving fluency and pronunciation.

Why is consistency important when learning an accent?

Consistency in learning an accent helps avoid confusion and makes speech sound more authentic. Switching between accents can create unnatural speech, so it's recommended to stick with one accent, like American, British, or Australian, during the learning process.