Education and Learning

The Rhythym of the Language:

Speakers and learners of English have an interest in improving their ACCENT. They fairly correctly give significance to their pronunciation. However, producing the correct English sounds is just part of a correct accent. A native accent also is determined by suitable hyperlinks in between elements of the expressions spoken, and in addition the right intonation or tension about the areas of the phrases inside the spoken utterance.

It really is important to hold the suitable “music” or rhythm with the language that is spoken. You all know the next term video game. What’s a “zookee”? Request this of the native born English speaker plus they will not know what you indicate. In case you say, “It is used to open the gate into a spot wherever animals are kept”. She or he will understand that that you are stating “zoo key”. You could possibly have pronounced the appears completely but your hyperlink amongst the two areas of the word triggered your listener to not hear “zoo key”.

The identical thing takes place with term stress. A native speaker of English is aware whether or not you suggest the location in which the president in the U.s. lives, or perhaps a residence that’s painted white once you say “white house”. Similarly if you say “dark room”, you indicate possibly a place without any lights on, or even the area exactly where a photographer develops film. It’s the word anxiety (which has particular guidelines that you’ll find out in other content articles) which makes the main difference.

This short article will current an illustration of and also the factors for the importance of appropriate word tension.

A. Go through the following sentences aloud timing how long each one requires to study. Then count the syllables in every single sentence.

The stunning Mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.
(How extended did it consider to examine? ______ seconds.) (The amount of syllables does it have? ________)

He can come on Sundays providing he won’t need to do any homework in the evening.
(How long did it just take to read? (______ seconds.) (The amount of syllables does it have? ________)

· Notice that the first sentence actually will take about exactly the same time to speak well!

· Even though the second sentence is approximately 30% longer than the first, the sentences consider the identical time to speak. This is because there are 5 stressed words in every single sentence.

B. Discover the next facts concerning pronunciation.

· English is considered a stressed language while a lot of other languages are considered syllabic.

· In other languages, such as French or Italian, every syllable receives equal importance (there is tension, but every syllable has its own length).

· English pronunciation focuses on specific stressed phrases while quickly gliding over the other, non-stressed, phrases.

· Stressed phrases are considered content words: Nouns e.g. kitchen, Peter – (most) principle verbs e.g. visit, construct – Adjectives e.g. beautiful, interesting – Adverbs e.g. often, carefully

· Non-stressed words are considered function phrases: Determiners e.g. the, a – Auxiliary verbs e.g. am, were – Prepositions e.g. before, of – Conjunctions e.g. but, and – Pronouns e.g. they, she

C. Practice and Keep it up

· Write down a few sentences, or just take a few case in point sentences from a book or exercise.

· First underline the stressed words, then go through aloud focusing on stressing the underlined words and gliding over the non-stressed words.

· Be surprised at how quickly your pronunciation improves! By focusing on stressed phrases, non-stressed words and syllables just take on their more muted nature.

· When listening to native speakers, focus on how those speakers stress selected words and begin to copy this.

· Now, do some listening comprehension or go speak to your native English speaking friends and listen to how they concentrate on the stressed words rather than giving relevance to each syllableStressed words are the essential to excellent pronunciation and understanding of English.

D. Tips:

· Remember that non-stressed phrases and syllables are often “swallowed” in English.

· Always focus on pronouncing stressed phrases well, non-stressed words can be glided over.

· Don’t focus on pronouncing each term. Focus on the stressed words in each and every sentence.

Adapted from esl.about.com