IPA Phonetic Chart Explained - (44 sounds of the phonemic chart)

Summary

This video provides a beginner-friendly guide to English pronunciation, focusing on vowels, consonants, and common pronunciation challenges. The instructor explains why the traditional International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can be confusing for beginners and offers simpler alternatives using familiar letters and long/short markers. The video covers vowel sounds, including long and short forms, special cases like the schwa and the letter Y, vowel pairs, and tricky consonant sounds such as SH, CH, TH, and J/G variations. It also highlights commonly mispronounced words like 'usual' and 'tour.' The approach emphasizes learning through examples and practice rather than memorizing complex symbols.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker prefers a simpler phonetic method for beginners over the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
• 😀 Memorizing IPA symbols and connecting them to letters can be difficult for beginners.
• 😀 Long vowels are often indicated with a line above the letter, and short vowels with a bent line in simpler charts.
• 😀 Vowels covered include long and short A, E, I, O, and U, with examples for each.
• 😀 The schwa (ə) represents a short 'uh' sound in unstressed syllables, like in 'attack' or 'dinosaur'.
• 😀 Y can function as a vowel with multiple sounds: long I, long E, short I, and also as a consonant sound as in 'yes'.
• 😀 Common vowel pairs and sounds include 'near', 'ear', 'hair', 'air', and long 'oo' as in 'food'.
• 😀 Consonant sounds include Sh (ship), Ch (church, mechanic), Th (voiced and voiceless), and the S/U sound in 'pleasure'.
• 😀 Some consonants can have multiple sounds: J and G can sound like each other in words such as 'George' or 'gem'.
• 😀 Certain endings, like O-U-R in 'tour' or 'poor', require careful pronunciation.
• 😀 The guide emphasizes practicing sounds alongside letters to internalize correct pronunciation without relying heavily on IPA.

Q & A

Why does the speaker find the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) challenging for beginners?

The speaker finds IPA challenging because beginners must memorize symbols, connect them to sounds, and then link those sounds to letters in the alphabet. Additionally, the chart's organization can be confusing for newcomers.

What alternative method does the speaker suggest for learning pronunciation?

The speaker suggests using simple letter-based sound charts, similar to what they learned in the United States, with long vowels marked by a line above the letter and short vowels with a bent line, instead of relying on IPA symbols.

What are the long and short vowel sounds for 'A'?

The long 'A' is pronounced as 'ā' and the short 'A' is pronounced as 'ă'.

How is the schwa (ə) sound used in English words?

The schwa is used for short vowel sounds in unstressed syllables, as in 'attack,' and also represents the 'uh' sound in words like 'dinosaur' and 'gallon.'

In what ways can the letter 'Y' function as a vowel?

'Y' can be a long 'I' as in 'my,' a long 'E' as in 'family,' a short 'I' as in 'system,' or it can act as a consonant sound as in 'yes.'

Which vowel pairs and special vowel sounds are highlighted in the video?

Vowel pairs and special sounds include 'near,' 'ear,' 'hair,' 'air,' long and short 'oo' as in 'food,' 'er' sounds as in 'bird' and 'her,' and the 'r' sound.

How does the speaker explain the pronunciation of 'J' and 'G'?

The speaker explains that 'J' is pronounced as 'je' in words like 'joon,' and 'G' can sometimes make a 'J' sound, as in 'George,' 'jim,' 'giant,' or 'gem.'

What are the different sounds of 'TH' in English?

'TH' has two sounds: the voiceless sound as in 'thin,' and the voiced sound as in 'then.'

Which sounds are mentioned as particularly tricky in words like 'usual'?

The 'S' and 'U' sound combination is tricky, as in 'usual,' because of the pronunciation of the 'zh' sound represented in that word.

What advice does the speaker give at the end of the lesson?

The speaker advises reviewing the sounds and symbols and using the charts if helpful. Consistent practice and repetition are important to reinforce pronunciation skills.

How are long and short 'U' sounds represented in the simplified chart?

Long 'U' can be represented by combining the 'y' sound with the 'oo' sound, while short 'U' has two forms: one is the 'cup' sound, and the other is the schwa used in unstressed syllables.