Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B1-B2

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

Rachel's English

596K views 15 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you speak English quickly, do your words sometimes sound “separate” instead of smooth and connected?
What do you think “linking: consonant to vowel” means in American pronunciation?
Which is harder for you: pronouncing final consonants clearly, or connecting words smoothly?

Up Next

Is it normal to talk to yourself? TED-Ed
I hated every day I woke up… Truly Seen
BBC Learning English – The Storytellers – Football match Picture Future
Business | English learning podcast Conversation | Episode 3 English Talk Podcast
What Was The Deadliest Dinosaur? | Most Dangerous Dinosaur | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz Peekaboo Kidz

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

What linking is (consonant + vowel) and first examples (00:00 – 01:38)

Transcript will load here…

1. What situation is the video mainly about?

Changing every T sound into an S sound
Dropping all final consonants in American English
Linking when a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound

2. In the example “ten hours a day,” what happens to the final consonant sound?

It changes into an R sound
It links to the beginning of the next word
It becomes silent

3. What does the speaker say linking can do for your speech?

Make consonants disappear completely
Make it sound more connected
Make it slower and more formal

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

T between vowels: pronounced like a D (flap) and more linking (01:38 – 02:46)

Transcript will load here…

1. How is a T pronounced when it comes between two vowel sounds (in these examples)?

Like a K sound
It is always silent
Like a D sound

2. In the phrase “what I,” what does the speaker encourage you to think about the D sound?

Avoid pronouncing it
Think of it as ending the previous word only
Think of it as beginning the next word (“die”)

3. In “it’s his anniversary,” what sound is moved to the beginning of “anniversary”?

The TH sound
The M sound
The Z sound

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

More examples and final reminder (02:46 – 03:35)

Transcript will load here…

1. In “this is too much,” what sound does the speaker link to the next word?

The N sound
The S sound
The P sound

2. What does the speaker remind you about T sounds between vowel sounds?

They become a long vowel
They should be pronounced as SH
They will be pronounced as D’s

3. Which phrase does the speaker use to demonstrate the T-to-D idea near the end?

turn it off
take it easy
forget about it

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the main purpose of consonant-to-vowel linking in speaking?

To make every word sound equally stressed
To make speech sound smoother and more connected
To make vowels shorter and unclear

2. When does this kind of linking usually happen?

When the first word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound
Only when a word begins with H
Only in very formal speech

3. According to the video, what often happens to the sound /t/ between two vowel sounds in American pronunciation?

It sounds like an F
It sounds like a D
It sounds like an R

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

English Pronunciation – Linking: Consonant to Vowel — American Accent

In your language, do speakers link words together? How is it similar or different from English linking?
Which example in the video is easiest for you to imitate: “ten hours,” “what I,” or “forget about it”? Why?
Do you think linking makes listening easier or harder for you? Explain.
What is one short sentence from your daily life where you could practice consonant-to-vowel linking?