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Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

Rachel's English

109K views 13 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you speak English quickly, do your words sound more separate or more connected?
What do you think a “flap T” is in American English pronunciation?
Why might linking words help your American English sound more natural?

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Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

Rule 1: When T becomes a flap (sounds like D) (00:00 – 00:49)

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1. What is the main topic of the video?

How to memorize new vocabulary quickly
Using flap T to link words in American English
How to pronounce silent letters in British English
How to speak with a slower rhythm

2. In informal conversational American English, how is a T often pronounced when it comes between vowels?

It is always silent
As a strong, fully released T sound
As an S sound
As a flap T (like a D sound)

3. Which word is used as an example to show flap T?

late
party
problem
water

Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

Rule 2: Linking + combining both rules (00:49 – 01:53)

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1. What is the goal of linking words in American English, according to the speaker?

To separate words clearly with pauses
To make every word longer
To make a very smooth line with connected words in one thought group
To make consonants louder than vowels

2. In linking, what situation allows the ending consonant to feel like it starts the next word?

When both words end with consonants
When one word ends in a consonant and the next begins in a vowel
When both words begin with vowels
Only when the words are said very slowly

3. When combining the two rules, what happens to the T when it connects to a following word that begins with a vowel?

It becomes a flap T
It becomes an F sound
It becomes a TH sound
It disappears completely in all cases

Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

Common phrases to practice + final advice (01:53 – 03:27)

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1. In the examples, what can happen to the /v/ sound in the word “of”?

It can be dropped
It becomes /sh/
It must always be pronounced clearly
It changes into /t/

2. Why does the speaker recommend practicing phrases like “part of” and “sort of” in this way?

To avoid using thought groups
To pronounce stronger true T sounds
To make speech better linked and smoother
To speak more formally all the time

3. What does the speaker suggest learners do to practice at the end?

Stop practicing and just listen
Only practice single words, not phrases
Write a paragraph and mail it
Record a sentence and post it as a video response

Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

Transcript will load here…

1. What is a “flap T” most similar to in sound, according to the speaker?

A P sound
A long vowel sound
A D sound
A K sound

2. What is the main benefit of linking words in American English?

It makes speech sound more formal
It removes all vowels
It makes every syllable equally stressed
It makes speech sound smoother and more connected

3. Which phrase is specifically presented as a common practice example in the video?

part of
in spite of
as soon as
because of

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

In your first language, do words connect smoothly or stay more separate? How is it different from English?
Which example from the video seems hardest for you to say: “water,” “part of,” “sort of,” or “that I”? Why?
Do you think using flap T and linking can make you easier to understand, or could it sometimes make you less clear? Explain.
Create your own short sentence using “part of” or “sort of.” Where would you use a flap T when you say it?