PRONUNCIATION There are some common sounds in English that many Japanese speakers have difficulty with. Those sounds are often found in pairs. The pairs we will work with here are: L vs R B vs V F vs V S vs TH S vs SH or We will begin our practice with “L” and “R”. These sounds are often very difficult for Japanese to distinguish. They are also often difficult for Japanese to pronounce. However, after this lesson you will be able to hear the difference between these two sounds and you will understand some ways to help you pronounce them. You won’t find some of this information in textbooks. I have just found that explaining the sounds this way has been very helpful: L 1. If a word begins with an “L” you should “flap” your tongue 2. When you say an “L” it helps if you smile 3. “L” sounds do not require a lot of energy ( = weak) R 1. If a word begins with an “R” you should “curve” your tongue 2. When you say an “R” it helps if you round your lips 3. Making “R” sounds requires a lot of energy ( = strong) Get with a partner and practice saying and listening to the following
confused by non-native English speakers. The “S” sound is similar to the sound of air being let out of a tire: sssssssssssss…… Use only the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make this sound. For the “TH” sound, it is necessary for you to bite your tongue. If you say a “TH” word and the listener cannot see your tongue, you have probably made an “S” sound! sick thick sink think mouse mouth pass path Additional: “TH” sounds can be voiced (“that”) or unvoiced (“thought”). or For this last minimal pair, “S” should now be easy. “SH” is already found in Japanese: it is the first part of shi, or Just cut off the “i”. For the “SH” sound, practice by telling someone to be quite: Shhhhhh! Round your lips. Press most of your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth. And remember: practice, practice, practice! seas she’s seat sheet see she sip ship Common Words Let’s now look at some words, many of which are common and are found on tests such as the TOEIC test. Take care to pronounce them correctly with the correct number of syllables. Find a partner and practice saying these words. ○ president ● holiday ○ architect
● receptionist ○ repair ● librarian ○ clerk ● machinery ○ investment ● client ○ equipment ● symposium ○ arrange ● headquarters ○ reservation ● cancel ○ boardroom ● research ○ loss ● receipt ○ platform ● project ○ interest ● salary ○ resolution ● responsibility ○ relocate ● profit ○ policy ● renewal ○ plant ● special delivery ○ manual Common Proper Nouns There are many proper nouns (e.g., the names of people and places) that should be pronounced properly. Because proper nouns are so common in speech, they should be practiced. Take care to pronounce each proper noun correctly with the correct number of syllables.
● Australia ○ New York ● Algeria ○ Austin ● Seattle ○ Moscow ● Ireland ○ Birmingham ● Zimbabwe ○ Vietnam ● San Francisco ○ Victoria ● Cambridge ○ Jamaica ● Alexandria ○ Georgia ● Venezuela ○ Italy ● Brian ○ Cecil ● Doug ○ Anthony ● Michael ○ Francis ● Jacquelyn ○ Lawrence ● Harold ○ Irene ● Pearl ○ Joel ● ○ Rachael ● Steven ○ Eddie ● Christopher ○ Kathy