Mini English Lessons: Connected Speech (part 1)

Summary

This English lesson explains the concept of connected speech, focusing on disappearing sounds. It demonstrates how certain sounds, like the negative 'can't' or the ending 'd' in 'friend', vanish when spoken in connected speech. This happens because these sounds are difficult to pronounce between consonants. The lesson encourages listeners to pay attention to the sounds that English speakers don't pronounce, as it can help decipher what they are saying. The speaker highlights how these changes in pronunciation make understanding English speakers more challenging and provides practical tips for better comprehension.

Takeaways

• 😀 Connected speech means that when words are pronounced together, they affect each other and are pronounced differently than when spoken individually.
• 😀 One aspect of connected speech is disappearing sounds, where certain sounds are dropped when spoken in a sentence.
• 😀 For example, in the sentence 'I can't speak Italian', the negative 'can't' loses its final 't' sound in connected speech.
• 😀 Sounds disappear because they are difficult to pronounce when they occur between other consonants, so English speakers tend to drop them.
• 😀 The same phenomenon occurs with the word 'friend', where the final 'd' sound may disappear in a sentence like 'my friend gave me this awesome present yesterday'.
• 😀 The sound at the end of 'fragile' may also disappear, making it sound like 'hold' instead of 'hold' when spoken in connected speech.
• 😀 Disappearing sounds in connected speech are common in everyday English conversations.
• 😀 Pay attention to the sounds that are not made when listening to English speakers; this can help you understand what they are saying.
• 😀 English speakers naturally omit sounds that are difficult to pronounce in fluent speech to make communication easier.
• 😀 By listening out for disappearing sounds, language learners can improve their understanding of spoken English and decode spoken words more effectively.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the English lesson in the video?

The main topic of the lesson is solving the mystery of why English speakers are difficult to understand, focusing specifically on connected speech and disappearing sounds.

What does 'connected speech' mean in the context of this lesson?

'Connected speech' refers to the way words are pronounced together in natural speech, where they influence each other and may sound different from when spoken in isolation.

What is an example of a disappearing sound in English speech?

An example of a disappearing sound is the 't' sound in the word 'can't' when it is spoken in a sentence, such as 'I can't speak Italian.' The 't' sound disappears in connected speech.

Why do English speakers eliminate sounds in connected speech?

English speakers eliminate sounds in connected speech because certain sounds, such as 't' or 'd,' can be difficult to pronounce between other consonants, so they are often dropped for ease of speaking.

How does the word 'friend' change when used in a sentence?

In the word 'friend,' the 'd' sound disappears when used in a sentence. For example, in 'My friend gave me this awesome present yesterday,' the 'd' sound is not clearly pronounced.

What happens to the word 'hold' in the sentence 'Hold this carefully, it's fragile'?

In the sentence 'Hold this carefully, it's fragile,' the 'l' sound in 'hold' disappears and it sounds more like 'ho'. This is another example of a disappearing sound in connected speech.

How can listening to disappearing sounds help when understanding English speakers?

Listening for disappearing sounds can help you better understand what an English speaker is saying. Recognizing the sounds that are omitted can give you clues about the intended meaning of the sentence.

Why is connected speech particularly challenging for English learners?

Connected speech is challenging for English learners because it often involves changes in the pronunciation of words that don't occur when the words are spoken in isolation, making it harder to recognize familiar words.

What is an example of a disappearing 't' sound in English?

An example of a disappearing 't' sound is in the sentence 'I can't speak Italian.' The 't' in 'can't' is often not pronounced in connected speech.

What can learners do to improve their understanding of connected speech?

Learners can improve their understanding of connected speech by actively listening for disappearing sounds and practicing with sentences where sounds typically disappear, helping to decode what the speaker is saying.