Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

Rachel's English

974K views 14 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you speak English fast, which sound do you personally find harder: the TH sound or linking between words?
What do you think “linking the TH sound” means in American English pronunciation?
Can you think of any very common English words that contain TH (for example: this, that, with)?

Up Next

INTERCHANGE 2 (2. Victoria, British Columbia) Innovation Development
The Most-Played Derby in La Liga History | FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol | Roots of the Rivalry Rabona TV
How Silent Book Clubs Are Flipping the Script on Traditional Ones TODAY
Guide to Penelope Douglas | Romance Author Recommendation PeaceLoveBooksxo
How to be confident (even if you’re not) | Montana von Fliss | TEDxBellevueWomen TEDx Talks

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

What linking is + first linking examples (S/Z + TH) (00:00 – 02:14)

Transcript will load here…

1. How many examples does the speaker say the video will cover?

Every possible example
10 examples
20 examples
5 examples

2. In the first example (S linking to TH in “this thing”), what changes when moving from S to TH?

The lips press together like for P
The jaw drops wide open
The teeth go from closed to parting as the tongue comes through
The tongue moves to the roof of the mouth

3. In the Z + voiced TH example (“was that”), what does the speaker say you can sometimes do for voiced TH at the start of an unstressed syllable?

Hold your breath before the sound
Press the tongue behind closed teeth without coming all the way through
Replace TH with D
Round your lips tightly

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

More word-pair demonstrations (T, V, P, TH + clusters/sounds) (02:14 – 06:56)

Transcript will load here…

1. In “sit there,” how does the speaker describe making the stop for T before the voiced TH?

The lips close to create the stop
The speaker skips the T completely
The speaker stops the sound, but moves straight into the TH position (tongue comes through the teeth)
The tongue goes to the roof of the mouth for a full T

2. For V + voiced TH (“of these”), what happens right before the TH sound?

The teeth fully close and stay closed
The bottom lip contacts the top teeth, then pulls down
The lips make a tight circle
The tongue touches the soft palate

3. In “health code” (TH linking to K), what creates the dark space you can see in the mouth for the K sound?

The teeth press together tightly with no movement
The tongue tip comes through the teeth
The back of the tongue raises and touches the soft palate
The lips spread into a smile

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

Practice advice + course announcement (06:56 – 08:38)

Transcript will load here…

1. What practice method does the speaker recommend to become more comfortable linking with TH?

Avoid TH words in conversation
Practice once quickly and move on
Practice word pairs slowly and repeat them over and over
Only practice by reading silently

2. What is the announced course described as?

An 8-week conversation course
A course only about spelling rules
A one-day grammar workshop
A 30-week pronunciation bootcamp

3. What does the speaker say learners can do to get feedback in the course?

Only take multiple-choice tests
Email handwritten notes
Call the speaker every week
Record themselves and upload it for the speaker’s comment

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the main purpose of the video?

To teach only the difference between S and Z
To explain American English spelling rules for TH
To teach new vocabulary for travel
To teach how to link into and out of the TH sound using mouth/tongue movements

2. Which pair is specifically used to show unvoiced TH linking to a consonant cluster?

Of these
North Star
Hope the
South Side

3. According to the speaker, why is linking worth studying?

It helps you connect common words more naturally in American English
It only matters for formal speeches
It makes your writing longer
It helps you avoid learning pronunciation

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

How to Link the TH Sound: American English Pronunciation

Which linking pair from the video (e.g., “this thing,” “was that,” “sit there,” “health code”) feels hardest for you, and why?
The speaker says you can sometimes make voiced TH without putting the tongue fully through the teeth. When might that be useful for your own speech?
How could you build a 5-minute daily routine to practice linking with TH (word pairs, slow motion, repetition)?
Do you prefer pronunciation practice through drilling/repetition or through conversation practice? Explain your reasons.