Файл: Advanced_English_Pronunciation_in_Use.pdf

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Consonant clusters at the beginning of words

A2fc Combinations of consonant sounds (consonant clusters) can be difficult to pronounce for some learners. English words can start with a vowel, or one, two or three consonant sounds. Compare:

Here are the possible two-consonant clusters at the start of English words:

In addition, the following two-consonant clusters are possible with Is/:

sky

All Here are the possible three-consonant clusters at the start of English words:

In order to be understood clearly you should -

•avoid changing a consonant in a cluster to a different consonant.

For example: saying 'present' for 'pleasant' or saying 'queue' for 'crew'

•avoid leaving out one of the consonant sounds.

For example: saying 'poblem' for 'problem' or saying 'foo' for 'few'

•avoid adding an extra vowel between consonants.

For example: saying 'tewin' for 'twin' or saying 'faree' for 'free'

•avoid adding an extra vowel at the beginning of the word.

For example: saying 'estop' for 'stop' or saying 'escream' for 'scream'

You can find more practice of consonant clusters at the beginning of words in Section E2.

English Pronunciation in Use (Advanced)

Section B Pronunciation of words and phrases

Exercises

A27 Some final clusters with three or four consonants can be difficult to pronounce even for native

English speakers, so in some words these are commonly simplified. For example, the middle consonant of the clusters Ikts/, Imps/, Impti, Ints/, IndzJ and Isktl is hardly heard or sometimes even left out (see also Unit 29A):

Leaving final consonants out of consonant clusters at the end of words can cause misunderstanding, and you should avoid this. For example, say:

product (not: produc ) jump (not: jum ) hand (not: hantl)

In particular, avoid leaving out /zl or Isl in plurals and third person singular verb forms, and ItI or Id! in -ed verbs and adjectives:

Don't be tempted to add vowels to consonant clusters in order to make them easier to say, as this can also cause misunderstanding. You should -

•avoid adding an extra vowel at the end of an adjective, as this can sound like a comparative form:

fast (not: fast;! because it sounds like 'faster') damp (not: damp;! because it sounds like 'damper')

You can find more practice of consonant clusters at the end of words in Section E2.

Section B Pronunciation ofwords and phrases

Exercises

8 . 1 How many final consonant sounds - 1 , 2, 3 o r 4 - d o the words i n the box have when they are spoken slowly and carefully? (Note that the number of consonant sounds may be different from the number of consonant letters.) Write the words in the appropriate row.

Now check your answers, listen and say the words.

8.2 Listen to some of the words from exercise 8.1 (in bold) used in conversation. Some final clusters are simplified. Underline the words which are simplified and show which sound is left out or reduced.

EXAMPLES It was a long jump, but he risked it. (the Ik/ sound is left out)

8.3 Listen and underline the word you hear.

EXAMPLE I accept / accepted the award gratefully.

8.4 Anna failed her test to become a newsreader for her local English language radio station. Look at the transcript of the news item that she read. Then listen to the news being read clearly and correct the words that Anna pronounced wrongly.

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The police tftffithe rose on the south coat will be pack when the seven Felton Pop Festival beginners neck weekend: Lass year more than 10,000 pop fan pack into the feel where the festival was hell. There is simpler accommodation on a nearby farm, but most people will camper in small tense.

Now check your answers in the Key. Then read aloud the (correct) news item.

Follow up: What is the maximum number of final consonant sounds that can occur in your first language?