[t], [d] or [Id]? | "-ed" Past Tense | English Pronunciation

Summary

This podcast from Elemental English Comm explores the nuanced pronunciation of past tense verbs ending in 'ed' in English. It explains why these endings are pronounced as 't', 'd', or a distinct syllable, depending on the preceding sound. The lesson delves into the concept of voiced and voiceless sounds, demonstrating how vocal cord vibrations influence the pronunciation of 'ed' endings. It provides clear examples and rules for different scenarios, such as verbs ending in voiceless sounds leading to a 't' sound, voiced sounds resulting in a 'd' sound, and certain sounds prompting a distinct syllable pronunciation. The importance of these pronunciation rules in connected speech is highlighted, with a reference to further lessons on linking and H-deletion for better speech fluency.

Takeaways

• 📚 The podcast discusses the pronunciation variations of the past tense 'ed' ending in English verbs.
• 🗣️ The 'ed' ending can be pronounced as 't', 'd', or a syllable 'id' depending on the preceding sound.
• 👂 Listeners are encouraged to feel the vibration in their vocal cords when pronouncing voiced and voiceless sounds.
• 🔊 Voiced sounds involve vocal cord vibration, while voiceless sounds do not.
• 🔉 The vibration or lack thereof influences the pronunciation of the 'ed' ending.
• 📝 Verbs ending in voiceless sounds lead to a voiceless 't' pronunciation, as in 'walked' or 'talked'.
• 🎶 Verbs ending in voiced sounds like 'd' or 'g' result in a voiced 'd' pronunciation, as in 'bobbed' or 'begged'.
• 🎵 When the verb ends in 't' or 'd', the 'ed' ending is pronounced as a syllable 'id', as in 'visited' or 'edited'.
• 🔗 Pronunciation of 'ed' is crucial for clear speech, especially in connected speech where one word ends in a consonant and the next begins with a vowel.
• ✍️ The lesson suggests further practice on connected speech and 'H' deletion for better understanding of English pronunciation rules.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the podcast 'Elemental English Comm'?

The main topic of the podcast is the different pronunciations of the past tense of verbs ending in 'ed' in English.

Why are past tense verbs with an 'ed' ending pronounced in three different ways?

The pronunciation of 'ed' endings varies depending on the final sound of the root verb, which can be voiced, voiceless, or a combination of sounds like 't' or 'd'.

What is the first pronunciation rule for 'ed' endings mentioned in the podcast?

The first rule is that verbs ending in a voiceless sound cause the 'ed' ending to be pronounced as 't' or 'd' without vocal cord vibration.

Can you provide an example of a verb ending in a voiceless sound and its corresponding 'ed' pronunciation?

An example is 'walked', where the 'ed' ending sounds like 't' because 'walk' ends with a voiceless sound.

What is the second pronunciation rule for 'ed' endings discussed in the podcast?

The second rule is that verbs ending in a voiced sound cause the 'ed' ending to be pronounced as a voiced sound.

Can you give an example of a verb ending in a voiced sound and its 'ed' pronunciation?

An example is 'breathed', where the 'ed' ending sounds like 'd' because 'breathe' ends with a voiced sound.

What is the third pronunciation rule for 'ed' endings presented in the podcast?

The third rule is that verbs ending in the sounds 't' or 'd' cause the 'ed' ending to be pronounced as 'id'.

How is the 'ed' ending pronounced in the verb 'visited' as per the podcast?

In 'visited', the 'ed' ending is pronounced as 'id' because 'visit' ends with the sound 't'.

Why is it important to understand the pronunciation rules for 'ed' endings in connected speech?

Understanding these rules is important because in connected speech, the way 'ed' is pronounced can affect the clarity and audibility of the verb in a sentence.

What is the effect of connected speech on the pronunciation of 'ed' endings?

In connected speech, if a word ends in a consonant and is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, the 'ed' ending is pronounced more clearly.

How does the podcast suggest practicing the pronunciation of 'ed' endings?

The podcast suggests practicing by feeling the vibration in the vocal cords when pronouncing voiced and voiceless sounds, and by listening and repeating the provided examples.

What additional lesson is recommended for further understanding of connected speech?

The podcast recommends checking out the lesson on 'H deletion' for more practice and explanation on connected speech.