8 mistakes in the pronunciation of English sounds, which makes the majority of Russian speakers

During the study of foreign languages, much attention is paid to the pronunciation of sounds and words. The correct pronunciation is put for a long time - for a few lessons to catch the correct sound of words is almost impossible.

The reason is very simple. Sounds and sound formation in different languages ​​differs dramatically.

In Japanese, there is no sound [l]. And in the early stages of learning English, they replace it with the sound [r]. This is because in Japanese, the sound [r] is percussive, not vibrational. During pronunciation, the tongue only touches the palate for a split second, so the result is something in between the familiar [p] and [l]. That is why it is difficult to understand what the Japanese means: “law” or “raw”.

Of course, with focused training, the Japanese begin to pronounce the sound [l], but an extremely small proportion of English learners train pronunciation so deeply.

Absolutely the same situation with English and Russian. In English, there are a number of sounds that are very difficult to give Russian speakers. Just because there are none in Russian. And there are nuances between similar sounds that the Russian ear simply does not notice.

Often, such nuances completely change the meaning of the proposal.

And instead of “I like this beach” (“I like this beach”), the interlocutor will hear “I like this bitch” (“I like this girl with low social responsibility”).

In this article we will talk about 8 pronunciation errors that are often found in Russian speakers, as well as tell tricks that will help you get rid of them. Go.

1. Incorrect pronunciation [æ]

If you like cats, you must learn to pronounce this sound correctly.

The sound [æ] is somewhat similar to Russian [e], which is why many do not even bother to pronounce it correctly.

However, in English there are two sounds that are designated in Russian as [e]: [æ] and [ɛ].

To make the sound [æ] correctly, you need to open your mouth wide and hold your tongue as low as possible. Imagine that you are looking at something disgusting and say, “Be-ee-ee,” but with a tight tongue. Sound as if born in the larynx.

In addition, the sound [æ] is pronounced with flowing intonation.

• Explanation for musicians: the sound of chromatism moves down and ends 1.5-2 tones below the starting point.
• Explanation for everyone else: just gently lower the intonation of the sound. The beginning is the top, the end is the bottom.

The sound [ɛ] almost completely corresponds to Russian [e]. Just like in the words "these" or "tin."

To feel the difference, you need to practice a couple of words
Bad [bæd] - bed [bɛd]

"The fear of being bad in bed."
(Fear screwed up in bed)

Or head [hɛd] - had [hæd]

"I had a hat, it was on my head."
(I had a hat and it was on my head)

2. Incorrect accent

Very often, students incorrectly call stress in words of three or more syllables.

For example, EN-gi-neer instead of the correct en-gi-NEER. Or CA-tas-trophe instead of the correct ca-TAS-tro-phe.

The most common cause is inattention. In English, there are many words with emphasis on the first syllable, and “to feel” it may seem that everything is correct (in fact, not).

Check it out as easy as spelling dictionary. For example, the Cambridge Dictionary .

Note! The accent in English transcription is indicated by an apostrophe and placed before the syllable. That is, "catastrophe" - [kəˈtæs.trə.fi].

3. Incorrect pronunciation of diphthongs [oʊ] and [ǝʊ]

A diphthong is a fusion of two sounds. Formally, diphthong [oʊ] can be designated as Russian [oy], but this is only formally.

If informally, many Russian speakers generally omit this sound, replacing it with a neutral [ɔ] (similar to a long Russian [o] as in the word "zoo").

Although learning to speak this diphthong correctly is very simple. In it, one sound flows smoothly into another. The initial sound [o] must be pronounced with a slightly more open mouth than in Russian. And then smoothly lower your jaw and at the same time stretch your lips into a tube, transforming the sound into [ʊ] - long [y].

Even simpler, you seem to add W. to O. For example, GOw, DOwN'T.

In this ADAM “Go to Go” clip, almost every line ends with a diphthong [oʊ]. For the idea of ​​the clip, by the way, a separate plus to the creators :)

4. Wrong sound pronunciation [w]

Since we mentioned the sound [w] in the paragraph above, we must say that it is not in the Russian language.

Russians often replace it with solid [in], but this is wrong. As a result, the English “Why?” Acquires an Armenian accent - “Wai?”

The sound [w] is a cross between [y] and [c]. As if [in] were not uttered to the end.

Imagine that your friend is going to create some kind of game, and you stop him with the phrase “Wow-wow, take it easy!”. In this exclamation the sound [w] will be well heard.

The mechanics are simple - say the sound [in] without touching the upper teeth with your lower lip. In this case, the lips need to be folded as if for a kiss. This will be the desired [w]. Quite simple, right?

But there is a downside. Often, those who have learned to speak the sound [w] use it everywhere. Including in words where you need solid [v].

So it turns out:
Wery instead of very
Ewen instead of even

Native speakers who teach EnglishDom at the English school often say that one of the most difficult phrases in terms of pronunciation for Russians at the initial stage of language learning is the banal “very well”.

There is still an interesting point, because it is not always necessary to speak the sound [w] when you see the letter W. And vice versa - for example, the word Queen - the sound [w] is here, but the letter W is not.

5. Wrong sound [h]

An extremely common problem, because in Russian and English, the formation of sound [h] differs dramatically.

In Russian, the root of the tongue is firmly pressed against the palate and on exhalation, the sound [x] is obtained. The British often compare it with the sound of sandpaper.

English [h] open. It’s as if you are breathing loudly at a therapist’s appointment, or as if you are exhaling forcefully after hard work. And for a Russian-speaking one, it is very difficult to switch to this most open [h].

So it turns out that “Hello” is pronounced with the same sound as “Refrigerator”.

To practice the sound [h], here's a tongue twister. And if you say the sound correctly, on the open output, then even for the native it will seem rather complicated:

A housewife, who holds her house by herself,
Has a home help, who helps her.
If the housewife didn't hold her house by herself,
How could she have a home help, who helps her?

6. Insidious sound [l]

In Russian, there are 2 sounds [l] - tverdy [l] and soft [l ']. As in the words "moose" and "leaves." Moreover, they can be found in any part of the word - both at the beginning and at the end (“salt” and “count”).

In English, the sound [l] is formally one. It is always solid, but it sounds a little not as harsh as Russian.

It's all about mechanics. Russian sound [l] is formed when the front of the tongue is pressed against the palate and upper teeth. In English, only the tip of the tongue is pressed, which makes the sound much softer. But not as soft as [l '].

Americans also often reduce the sound [l], if it is at the end of the word - so that it can not be heard. Mechanically, they seem to make a sound, but do not touch the palate with the tongue - an indefinite sound is obtained, something in between [l] and [s]. But in fact, this is unnecessary and students should not try to reproduce it. One sound [l] in English is enough.

7. The difference between [i] and [ɪ]

Pupils do not immediately comprehend the difference between tense [i] and relaxed [ɪ], replacing them with the familiar Russian ear [and]. This is a common mistake, and getting rid of it is not easy.

If primitive, then the sound [i] is long, and [ɪ] is short. But they differ not only in length, but also in intonations. It is the intonations of Russian-speaking students that are often ignored.

The sound [i] is pronounced as if you are trying to pronounce the sound during the widest possible "Hollywood" smile. The tongue is tense and raised to the palate, but does not touch it. Facial expression is an important part of sound production, without tense cheek muscles it is simply impossible to get the right sound. Imagine what you add at the end of the sound [th] - this will give the necessary softness.

The sound [ɪ] is similar to Russian [and], but pronounced a little tougher, a little closer to [s]. The tongue is relaxed, the lips are a little stretched. It is important that the root of the tongue is also relaxed, otherwise the sound will turn into Russian [and].

Let's get an example right away.
Sheep - ship

Speaking in the same tone, the interlocutor will not understand where the sheep is and where the ship is.

Sheep [ʃip] - the sound is intense, high, long.
Ship [ʃɪp] - the sound is relaxed, short, as if chopped off.

Just one inaccurate sound, and you are already floating not on a ship, but on a sheep.

And yes, this is where the beach - bitch couple belongs.
If you want to go to the beach, speak through high [i].
If you want to call someone, a short one [ɪ] will help you.

8. Incomprehensible th

There are no sounds [θ] and [ð] in Russian - there are no analogues either. Despite the fact that the pronunciation of this sound is put in the first classes, many experience problems with it.

As it turns out, Russians often cannot get used to the fact that for the formation of these sounds you need to stick out the tip of the tongue. Because of this, replace them with the more familiar [c] and [h].

In this case, confusion arises. One of the classic: think - sink. And it becomes unclear what a person is doing: thinking or drowning.

By the way, it is over this sound that English dialects are very often mocked. For example, in the Cockney dialect, the sound [θ] in a conversation almost always changes to [f], so they say [fɪŋk] instead of [θɪŋk].

It is psychologically uncomfortable for many students to make sounds with their tongues sticking out, so they unconsciously try to pronounce the sound in a more convenient way, albeit not quite right.

This can only be solved by training and self-control. So arm yourself with tongue twisters - and go.

***

Proper pronunciation is as important a part of the language as grammar and vocabulary. But the attitude towards it is a little different, because only a small percentage of those people who study English in the world try to achieve a perfectly pure pronunciation of sounds. Most stop at the level of "once they understand, then it will come down." But at the same time, working out the correct pronunciation is a great motivation to work on your English. And one of the best ways is to pay attention to training with a teacher - a native speaker. That's who has a pronunciation that sometimes wants to be envied :)

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