LDJ in Revision.

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A
Workshop -
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LETTERS du JOUR - Workshop
PRONUNCIATION
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Rocco Dal Vera

University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music
[eI*]
PRONUNCIATION AUTHORITIES CONSULTED ......................................................................................................................3

INDEX TO LETTER DU JOUR ...................................................................................................................................................8
Letter du Jour A .....................................................................................................................................................11
[]/a, as in HAD.......................................................................................................................................................................11
[A]/ah, as in FATHER ...............................................................................................................................................................12
[O]/aw, as in LAWYER ..............................................................................................................................................................13
[eI*]/ay as in HAY ......................................................................................................................................................................13
Letter du Jour B......................................................................................................................................................17
[b]/b, as in BUBBLE ..................................................................................................................................................................17
Letter du Jour C .....................................................................................................................................................19
[tS]/ch, as in CHURCH ..............................................................................................................................................................19
Letter du Jour D .....................................................................................................................................................22
[d]/d, as in DREADED ..............................................................................................................................................................22
Letter du Jour E ......................................................................................................................................................25
[i]/ee as in HEED ......................................................................................................................................................................25
[E]/e as in HEAD.......................................................................................................................................................................26
Letter du Jour F ......................................................................................................................................................28
[f]/f as in FLUFF .......................................................................................................................................................................28
Letter du Jour G .....................................................................................................................................................30
[g]/g as in GIGGLE ...................................................................................................................................................................30
Letter du Jour H .....................................................................................................................................................33
[h]/h as in HOW .......................................................................................................................................................................33
[j]/hy as in HUGE ...................................................................................................................................................................34
Letter du Jour I ......................................................................................................................................................36
[I]/i, as in HID ..........................................................................................................................................................................36
[]/, the "schwa", or neutral vowel.......................................................................................................................................37
[aI*]/i@, as in HIGH ......................................................................................................................................................................37
Letter du Jour J ......................................................................................................................................................40
[dZ]/j, as in JUDGE....................................................................................................................................................................40
Letter du Jour K .....................................................................................................................................................42
[k]/k, as in COOK .....................................................................................................................................................................42
Letter du Jour L ......................................................................................................................................................44
[l,:]/l, as in LULL.......................................................................................................................................................................44
Letter du Jour M ....................................................................................................................................................47
[m]/m, as in MAMMAL ............................................................................................................................................................47
Letter du Jour N .....................................................................................................................................................49
[n]/n, as in NANNY ..................................................................................................................................................................49
[N]/ng, as in SINGING ..............................................................................................................................................................49
Letter du Jour O .....................................................................................................................................................52
[oU*]/oh, as in HOE ....................................................................................................................................................................52
[aU*]/ow, as in HOW ..................................................................................................................................................................53
[OI*]/oi, as in HOIST ..................................................................................................................................................................53
[]/o, as in HOT........................................................................................................................................................................54
Letter du Jour P ......................................................................................................................................................56
[p]/p, as in POPULAR ...............................................................................................................................................................56
Letter du Jour Q .....................................................................................................................................................59
Letter du Jour R .....................................................................................................................................................60
[r]/r, as in REWRITE.................................................................................................................................................................60
[]/UR and []/ur, as in MURMUR ["mm] ...........................................................................................................................62
Letter du Jour S ......................................................................................................................................................66
[s]/s as in SERIOUSNESS ..........................................................................................................................................................66
[S]/sh, as in SHUSH ..................................................................................................................................................................68
Letter du Jour T .....................................................................................................................................................70
[t]/t, as in TOTALITY ...............................................................................................................................................................70
[T]/th, as in THING, & [D]/th, as in THIS................................................................................................................................72
Letter du Jour U .....................................................................................................................................................74
[u]/u, as in PRUNE....................................................................................................................................................................74
[U]/uu, as in PUT ......................................................................................................................................................................75
[]/u, as in HUT .......................................................................................................................................................................75
Letter du Jour V .....................................................................................................................................................77
[v]/v, as in VALVE....................................................................................................................................................................77
Letter du Jour W ....................................................................................................................................................79
[w]/w, as in WITCH, & []/hw, as in WHICH .........................................................................................................................79
Letter du Jour X .....................................................................................................................................................81
Letter du Jour Y......................................................................................................................................................82
[]/ee, as in EASY......................................................................................................................................................................82
[j]/y, as in YOU.........................................................................................................................................................................83
Letter du Jour Z ......................................................................................................................................................85
[z]/z, as in ZONES.....................................................................................................................................................................85
[Z]/zh, as in AZURE ..................................................................................................................................................................85
WORDS THAT CHANGE WITH USE.........................................................................................................................................87
GLOSSARY FOR LETTER DU JOUR ..........................................................................................................................................90
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LETTERS du JOUR - Workshop

P RONUNCI ATI ON from A [eI*] to Z
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Workshop -
Some pronunciations in the following section may strike you as so

foreign that they just don't seem right. What if you are convinced the
pronunciation dubbed "standard" is wrong? How did we pick standard
pronunciation? The following respected sources are used. There are 35 of
them because each has certain strengths and many sources disagree.
Pronunciation can be a contentious subject. Both Rocco and Bob (and
almost every other actor) have at some time experienced shock in finding
that our assumptions about "proper" speech are not necessarily shared by
the experts. In fact most of the words listed were chosen because they
gave us a jolt when we found out how they should be said.
Table LdJ .1
Pronunciation A uthorities
PRO N UN C IATIO N AUTH O RITIES C O N SULTED
English Pronouncing
Dictionary, Daniel J ones
The Oxford English

Dictionary, Sir A gustus
Henry Murray, et al., eds.
A Dictionary of Modern
English Usage, H. W. Fowler
NBC Handbook of
Pronunciation, Eugene,
Ehrlich
A Dictionary of the English
Speak With Distinction,
Language, J oseph Worcester Edith W. Skinner
The Century Dictionary,
William Whitney, Benjamin
Smith
The New Century
Dictionary, H. G. Emery, K.
G. Brewster, eds.
Everyday Errors in
Pronunciation, J ohn
Gilmartin
A Pronouncing Dictionary
of A merican English, J ohn
Kenyon, Thomas Knott
Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary
Desk-Book of 25,000 Words
Frequently Mispronounced,
Frank Vizetelly
Common Errors in English
and How to A void Them,
A lexander Witherspoon
The Winston Dictionary
The Oxford A merican

Dictionary
Merriam Webster's 9th New
Collegiate Dictionary
Ten Thousand Words: How
to Pronounce Them,
J osephene Turck Baker
18,000 Words Often
Mispronounced, W. H. P.
Pfyfe
Webster's New International
Dictionary
The A merican College
Encyclopedic Dictionary
Webster's Third New
Internatiuonal Dictionary
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Funk & Wagnalls New

Practical Standard
Dictionary
Funk & Wagnalls Standard
Dictionary
The A merican Heritage

Dictionary
The Scribner-Bantam
English Dictionary
Webster's Ninth New

Collegiate Dictionary
Webster's New Twentieth

Century Dictionary
Webster's New World

Dictionary
Webster's II New Riverside

Dictionary
The New York Times

Everyday Reader's
Dictionary of
Misunderstood, Misused,
and Mispronounced Words,
Lawrence Urdang, ed.
Shakespeare's Names, Helge
Kkeritz
The Random House

Dictionary of the English
Language
Webster's New World Guide
to Pronunciation, William
Chisholm
There is No Zoo in Zoology,

and Other Beastly
Mispronunciations, Charles
Elster
Shakespeare's
Pronunciation, Helge
Kkeritz
Note that charts refer to PREFERRED or STANDARD (the most elevated or

cultured of pronunciations) and to NON-STANDARD. They do not refer to RIGHT
and WRONG nor to CORRECT and INCORRECT pronunciation. What if it sounds
British to your ear? Some pronunciations may, but they are actually based on a
dialect called Elevated Standard. That is a stage dialect we will cover more fully
in Chapter 5. We assume that all actors wish to know the preferred
pronunciation of a word, and then make their own choices, depending on
different contexts they are in and characters they are playing. If you're doing a
voice-over for a medical video, you will want to say "respiratory" [rI."spaI**.r.tO*.r],
"cerebral" ["sE.r.br:], and "bulimia"[bju."lI.mI.] in order to sound authoritative and
credible - even though many doctors don't say them that way. But, if those
words come up in an "After-School Special", the more commonly heard
pronunciation will probably be the better choice. Remember, good speech is
not about showing off, it is what communicates most effectively under the
circumstances. Good speech is what works.
The following workshop section has two primary goals:
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1. to provide the tools for you to adjust toward a neutral, non-regional

sound - when you wish to do so. Most student actors begin their studies
with at least broadly regional, and possibly narrowly dialectal speech.
2. to assist you in eliminating common problems and stumbling blocks
associated with each sound.
If you can adjust these influences at will, you have a much better
chance at mastering all language. Instead of layering every other dialect
on top of your own, thus creating a potentially hopeless muddle, you can
start clean, without distraction. Instead of forcing each character to
employ your own articulation style, you have choice. You can use as many
or as few of your own speech tendencies as you wish.
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LETTERS D U J O UR - O N E LETTER AT A TIM E.

How do you organize that task? Most seemingly monumental tasks simply
need to be broken down into manageable, daily jobs. The big tasks can
therefore even become pleasurable. Because the alphabet is the single most
familiar way in which most of us organize the sounds in English, we have
created a series of exercises for each letter. Your daily LETTER du JOUR menu
includes these parts:
D ESC RIPTIO N : categories the sound falls into, such as voiced/unvoiced,

fricative/glide, etc. (see pp. _____).
WAY S TO PRO N O UN C E
Table. 3.9
IPA
Symbol
Ways to Pron. Example

Examples of words and their various spellings
Respelling
Here you will see the many different sounds the

letter can represent.
FO RM ATIO N : what lips, tongue, vocal folds, and jaw are doing to make sound.
PLAC EM EN T PRO B LEM S: preferred sound quality, common placement errors.
ARTIC ULATIO N PRO B LEM S: ways sound slips out of line, changes through
regional dialects, drills to adjust sound to standard1.
D RILLS: tongue twisters, and phrases to practice
Table. 3.10
Mispronunciation Example
M O ST C O M M O N M ISPRO N UN C IATIO N S
Problem Word
Preferred Pronunciation
Non-Standard Pronunciation
Pronunciations are transcribed in phonetics as well as respelled so you can use

the system that's clearer for you.
Consider these three ways to use the material:
1Specific
sound changes can be difficult to describe. We will use both phonetics and
respelling to indicate some of the ways speakers shift standard sounds. Refer to the vowel
and consonant charts (pp.___/___) to help you with the symbols and respelling keys.
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1) Start at the beginning and work your way through A- to - Z, spending a

couple of sessions on the more complex sections, and breezing through
others. Some letters may take more "jours" than others. Note that A, J, O,
and R have two to three times more work connected with them than most
letters, while F, J, K, Q ,V and W are very brief work-outs. You may wish
two or three sessions for A alone, just to get used to the work. Then, on
some other days, you may actually be able to cover two or three full
letters, to average out a month of work.
2) Group sets of related sounds (as opposed to letters) together and work
them as units - all the plosive consonants, or all the front vowels, for
example. A Guide To Finding The So unds B y C atego ry follows.
3) Search for specific drills because you've been told you need work on
forming a particular letter or sound. If you get that kind of note from
your teacher, director or coach, the following Index to the Letter du
Jour will help you look up the approprate exercises. Because you might
get a note using either spelling or sound terms, and since there is such a
disparity between spelling and sound in English, we provide the index to
help you reconcile the two, and show you where to find the sections you
want.
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SO UN D S B Y C ATEGO RY - AN IN D EX
Table. X.XX
Guide To Sounds By Category
Letter du Jour - GUIDE TO FINDING SOUNDS BY CATEGORY

FRONT VOWELS
Symbol
[i]/ee
[]/ee
[I]/i
[E]/e
[]/a
Letter
E
Y
I
E
A
Page
BACK VOWELS
Symbol
[A]/ah
[]/o
[O]/aw
[U]/uu
[u]/oo
Letter
A/O
O
A/O
U
U
Letter
[eI*]/ay
[aI*]/i
[OI*]/oi
[aU*]/ow
[oU*]/oh
A
I
O
O
O
PLOSIVE
Symbol
Letter
[p]/p
[b]/b
[t]/t
[d]/d
[k]/k
[g]/g
P
B
T
D
K
G
NASAL
Symbol
Letter
[m]/m
[n]/n
[N]/ng
M
N
N/A
Page
Page
Symbol
Letter
[]/u
[]/
[]/ur
[]/UR
DIPHTHONGS
Symbol
Page
CENTRAL VOWELS
U
I
R
R
Page
DIPHTHONGS/TRIPHTHONGS of []
Page
Symbol
[I*]/ir
[e*]/air
[A*]/ahr
[O*]/or
[U*]/uur
[aI**]/i r
[aU**]/owr
CONSONANTS
FRICATIVE
Symbol
[f]/f
[v]/v
[s]/s
[z]/z
[S]/sh
[Z]/zh
[T]/th
[D]/th
[r]/r
Letter
F
V
S
Z
S
Z
T
T
R
Page
Letter
Page
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
AFFRICATE
Symbol
Letter
Page
Symbol
Letter
Page
[l]/l
[:]/l
L
L
GLIDE
Symbol
Letter
[tS]/ch
[dZ]/j
C
J
LATERAL
[w]/w
W
[]/hw W
[j]/y
Y
Page
Table. X.XX
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Index-Letter du J our
IN D EX TO LETTER D U J O UR
SOUND
IPA/Respelling
[i]
ee
[]
[I]
ee
i
[e]
[E]
[]
[a]
[A]
[]
[O]
[o]
[U]
[u]
aw
[]
[]
[]
ur
[]
UR
[eI*]
ay
[aI*]
[OI*]
[aU*]
[oU*
oi
ow
oh
[i*]
ir
[e*]
air
[A*]
ahr
[O*]
[U*]
or
uur
ah
o
uu
oo
WAYS THE SOUND APPEARS IN WORDS,

SPELLING VARIETIES
b e , see , recei ve, b ea k, peo ple, key -q uay , machi ne,

fie ld, Cae sar, phoe nix, debris
silly , chamois, Raleigh, goalie , Chelsea
Letter
E
Y
I
i t, my th, gui lt, bu sy, take n, i ma ge, wo me n, captai n,

bree ches, b e fore
(not addressed in its pure form)
me t, dea d, leo pard, hei fer, b u ry-b e rry, gue st, sai d,
E
a ny, Tha mes
ha d, plai d, gua rantee
A
(not addressed in its pure form) a sk, au nt
cal m, fa ther, hurrah
A/O
wa tch, ro ck, lau rel, sq ua sh, Law rence-Lau rence,
O
fo rest, Glou cester, bureau cracy
flaw , tau nt, bal k, a ll, ou ght, cho rus
A/O
(not addressed in its pure form) o pinion, O phelia, po etic
too k, wo lf, wou ld, pu ll, wor sted
U
ru de, blue -blew , frui t, do , oo ze, sou p, shoe ,
U
through -thru -thr -threw
tu b, co me, tou ch, bloo d, doe s
U
a ffirm, soda , tele phone, possi ble, o ppose, purpo se,
I
melo dy, u pon, su ppose, choru s, labyrinth, sirrah ,
natio nal, gorgeou s, viciou s, porou s, Confuciu s, the
(weak form before a consonant) , to (weak form before a consonant)
over , sugar , ascer tain, mother , grandeur ,
R
taper -tapir , stubbor n, actor , cupboar d, sur prise,
sulfur , picture , martyr
cer tain, fir st, cur t, myr tle, myrrh , wor se, rehear se, cour teous,
R
chauffeur , colo nel
a te-ei ght, rai n-rei n-rei gn, pray -prey , grea t-gra te,
A
gau ge, clich , ballet , matine
I -eye -aye , tie -Thai, thigh , I 'll-ais le-is le,
I
b y -b uy -b ye , gui de, hei ght, beni gn, dia mond, fi re
oy ster, oi l, boy , b uoy ant, Freu d
O
hou se, b ow -b ough
O
so -sew -sow , sou l-so le-S eou l, coa t, doe -dough , mau ve,
O
b eau -b ow , yeo man, broa ch-broo ch
here -hear , deer -dear , pier -peer , weir d,
R
Gloucestershire , souvenir
their -there , pair -pare -pear , pa rent, ma re,
R
air -ere -e'er -heir -Ayr -Eyre
are , car , ser geant-Sar gent, hear th, guar d, catarrh ,
R
bizarre , bazaar
oar -ore -o'er -or , door , pour , war , dinosaur
R
poor , tour , sure , ju ry, Moor -moor -M oore
R
Page
[aI**]
[aU**]
[b]
[tS]
[d]
[f]
[g]
[h]
[]
[dZ]
[k]
[l,:]
[m]
[n]
i r
owr
b
ch
d
f
g
h
hw
j
k
l
m
n
[N]
[p]
[r]
[s]
[S]
ng
p
r
s
sh
[t]
[T]
[D]
[v]
[w]
[j]
[z]
[Z]
t
th
th
v
w
y
z
zh
hire -higher , b yre -b uyer , dire -dyer , lyre -liar

flower -flour -flow'r , our -hour -Auer
be, bubble, tube
ch icken, c ello, wretch ed, nat ure

d ab, padd le, stored
f all, ph onetic, f luff , cough , half
g ive, lag , egg , begg ar, ex amine, exh aust, gh ost
h e, wh o, mish ap
wh at, somewh ere
J uly, g enuine, sold ier, j udg e, reg ion, exagg erate
K im, c oat, ch aos, q uit, ex pend, back , plaque -plack
l i l y, tall
m ad, humm er, hymn , bomb , phlegm, calm , Ban ff
n on e-n un , gunn ing, mn emon ic, pn eumatic,
gn ome-N ome, rei gn -rei n -rai n
si ng i ng , ban k, tongue
p at, happ y, hop , hiccough
r ight-r ite-wr ite-Wr ight, carr y, rh eumatism
s aid, ps ychology, sch ism, c ent-s ent, di c e, ax , hi ss , pi zz a
sh oe, s ure, oc ean, mach ine, anx ious, mi ss ion,
conscious, motion , schnapps
t op, bett er, hi t , helped , Th ames, pt omaine, doubt , ri ght
th ick, Matth ew
th is, lath e
v erv e, of , Steph en-Stev en
w eed, w ow, langu age, q u ip, o ne, San J uan
y ou. brilli ant, u sual, kn ew-n ew, bea uty, J ung
z oom, x ylophone, di s aster, was , clos e, buzz , ex amine
negli g e, mirag e, az ure, treas ure, bi j ou, Zs a Zs a
EXERCISE X.XX
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R
R
B
C
D
F
G
H
W
J
K
L
M
N
N/A
P
R
S
S
T
T
T
V
W
Y
Z
Z
FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH LETTER du JOUR
1.Make a list of your most frequently received pronunciation notes.

2.Using the Guide and the Index, identify the Letters that will cover your issues; (Some
problems may fall into more than one area.) For example:
"Don't say 'git.'" (E)
"Sounding a little too sibilant." (S, Z)
"Duke isn't DOOK, it's DYOOK." (Y)
3.
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Share your list with your imitating partners and the class to get their feedback, and to
plan which areas to concentrate on.
For the various tasks in this chapter and the workshop sequence,
twenty minute to half hour sessions are ideal, because the level of
concentration required is high. Breaks are important to allow information
to settle in. Be patient with yourself. This very technical work has a big
pay-off that comes with time. Mastering your own language is an
extraordinary thrill earned by tiny, intricate steps. But when mastery
comes, suddenly even your ideas seem better, finer and fuller, because
you are so much better at expressing them.
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Letter du Jou r: A
WAY S TO PRO N O UN C E - 15!
Table LdJ .2
Letter du J our-A
IPA
Symbol
Respelling Examples of words and their various spellings
[i]
[E]
[ ]
[A]
[]
[O]
[]
[ ]
[eI* ]
[aI* ]
[aU* ]
[oU* ]
[I* ]
[E*]
[A*]
ee
e
a
ah
o
aw
ur
ay
i@
ow
oh
eer
air
ahr
leak, quay
dread
fad, guarantee, plaid
father, suave, palm, hurrah
what, laurel, Lawrence, bureaucracy
drawl, fall, quality, daughter
above
earnest
great, fate, day, ail, gauge, gaol
aisle
kraut, miaow
float, faux, mauve, beau
fear
hair, fare
far
We will focus on []/a, [A]/ah, [O]/aw, and [eI*]/ay.

[]/a, as in H AD
FORMATION: Front of tongue low and relaxed, mouth wide open, the lowest of
front vowel sounds. Compare with nearest contrasting sounds by looking in a
mirror and saying HEAD [hEd], HAD [hd] , HOD [hd].
PLACEMENT: If not correctly placed, can be the most tense and nasal2 sounding
vowel. Relax, make a slight yawn to lift your soft palate. Say HAD [hd]. To test
for an overly nasal sound, pinch your nose closed and say the sound. If it
changes, then too much of the air and sound is being sent through your nose.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS:
1.- []/a changing to [ E* ]/ea. Open your mouth wider, and faster.
Practice on:
2Describing
Nancy, imagine, natty, man, band, dandy
sound qualities in print is like writing wine reviews (rich, nutty, amusingly
fruity but unassuming...). We sometimes use following terms to describe problems with
sounds. You may wish to review them in the glossary if they are unfamiliar: nasal, tense,
bright, dark, sibilant, lateral lisp, off-glide, on-glide, round, blurred, overly-retroflexed,
hard.
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a. - Daniel can't stand canned Spam.

b. - Hand the man another ham sandwich.
2.- [N]/ang changing to [I*N]/aing, or [EN]/eng. Keep the front of your tongue
low.
Practice on:
band/bank, sand/sank, planned/plank

c. - The lanky man angrily drank himself into blankness.
d. - Dan dangled a sack of cash and his banker thanked him.
3.- [r]/ar changing to [Er]/er. Put the [r]/r into the next syllable, so that HARRY
would be ["h r]/HA-ree, not ["hE* ]/HAIR-ee.
Practice on:
arid, parry, barrier, marry, Barry, character, mariner
Use these pairs of words to separate the sounds [E]/e and []/a:
merry/marry, berry/Barry, hairy/harry, Terry/tarry
e. - Harry, the baritone barrister, married the garrulous character actress Sharon
Harrington, and carried her off to his garret in a wheelbarrow with a parasol
attached.
[A]/ah, as in FATH ER
FORMATION: Back of tongue low and relaxed, mouth wide open, lips
unrounded, soft palate raised - as if the doctor just asked you to open your
mouth and say "ah". This sound is often used for singing practice because of its
openness.
PLACEMENT: This open vowel sound is a good place to practice releasing any
tenseness in your tone. Add a slight yawn and relax into the sound [hA]/hah.
- [A]/ah changing to [a]/a. The sound becomes too bright. Drop the back of the
tongue and relax the mouth farther open.
Practice on:
suave, alms, hurrah, Milan, lava, barrage, lager, saga

a. - A h, father calms mama's qualms with a massage at the spa.
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b. - Hurrah! Brahms and Mahler in concert at Baden Baden!
[O]/aw, as in LAWY ER
FORMATION: Back of tongue mid-low and relaxed, lips rounded.
PLACEMENT: Sound is warm, dark and rounded.
1. - [O]/aw changing to [A]/ah. The sound becomes too bright. Round the lips
more.
Practice on these word pairs saying the first word in the British manner with the "r" dropped,
then matching that sound on the second word:
lore/law, lord/laud, torn/taunt, or/awe, court/caught
2. - [O]/aw changing to [U*]/uu. This substitution is particularly common on the

East coast. Speak slowly. Look in a mirror and don't relax or change your lips,
or drop the center of your tongue during the sound.
Practice on:
bawdy, caution, vault, hawk, talk, thought, stalk

a. - Paul Kaufman's awesome paunch daunted the staunchest tailors.
b. - Shaw bawled at the thought of his daughter marrying an awful pauper.
[eI*]/ay as in HAY
FORMATION: Diphthong. Front of tongue starts at mid-front level and rises to
high front level, Jaw closing slightly with action; lips relaxed and unrounded.
PLACEMENT: Sound needs to stay far forward in the mouth with a bright, clear
quality. Avoid letting the tongue drop and making the sound lax or dark.
- [eI*]/ay changing to [I*]/ui. Keep the sound forward. Smile on the sound. Keep
the center of your tongue high.
- [eI*]/ay changing to [e]/ay. Regionally and with some dialects (especially those
influenced by Scots/Irish such as Canadian) the second part of the diphthong
will disappear.
Practice on:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 15
aid, weigh, train, name, survey, gauge, plague

a. - Today is the day they take the babies away.
b. - The caped and overweight lady sailed forward in a vague shapeless wave of
beige.
Table LdJ .3
A -Mispronounced
WO RD S M O ST FREQ UEN TLY M ISPRO N O UN C ED

Problem Word
aberrant
abyss
academia
accent (n.)
accent (v.)
accessory
acclimate
accompanist
accompt
."be*.rnt
."bIs
.k."di.mI.
"k.sEnt
k."sEnt
BER nt
ak SE s ree
accurate
across
acumen
adieu
adjective
admirable
k."sE.s.r
."klaI*.mIt
."km.p.nIst
."kaU*nt
."ku.t.mnt
".kjU.rIt
."krs
."kju.mn
."dju
".dZIk.tIv
"d.m.r.b:
advertisement
d.v."taI*z.mnt
aegis
aerie
"i.dZIs
"E.r
EE jis
Aesop
affluence
Albany (New York)
algae
alleged
alms3
alumnae4
"i.sp
".flu.Ins
"O:.b.n
":.dZ
."lEdZd
Amz
."lm.n
EE sop
accouterment
3The
BIS
A k DEE mi
Ak sent
ak SENT
".b.rnt
".bIs
.k."deI*.mI.
A bu rnt
Improper
Stressing
."sE.s.r
KLi@ mit
"k.l.meI*t
KUM p nist
."km.p.ni.Ist
KOWNT
."kmt
KOO tur mnt ."ku.tr.mnt
A kyuu rit
".k.rIt
KROS
."krst
KYOO mn
".kju.mn
DYOO
."du
A jik tiv
".dZ.tIv
AD m r bl
d."maI**.r.b:
A D vur Ti@Z mnt d."vt.z.mnt
acceptable for
E ree
A flu ins
AWL b nee
AL jee
LEJD
A HMZ
LUM nee
"eI*.dZIs
"I.r, ".r, "eI**.r
"eI*.sp
."flu.Ints
":.b.n
":.dZeI*, ":.dZaI*
."lEdZ.d
A:mz
."lm.naI*
A bis
A k DAY mi
SE s ree
AK l MA YT
KUM p nee ist
KOMT
KOO tr mnt
A k rit
KROST
AK yoo mn
DOO
A j tiv
ad Mi@ r bl
AD VUR tz mnt
British speech
AY jis
I ree, A ree,
AY ree
AY sop
FLU ints
AL b nee
AL jay, AL ji@
LE jd
A HLMZ
LUM ni@
"l" on this word is dropped as it is for: almond, balm, balmy, calm, calmly, embalm,
halm, Malmesbury, malmsey, napalm, psalms, palm, palmistry, qualm.
alumni
always
amateur
."lm.naI*
"O:.weI*z
".m.t
LUM ni@
ambergris
amenable
ancillary
"m.b.gris
."mi.n.b:
"n.sI.lE.r
AM br GREES
angst
Antarctic(a)
antenna
antennae
apartheid
aphrodisiac
Nst
nt.A*k.tIk
n."tE.n
n."tE.n
(singular)
(plural)
AWL wayz
A m tr
MEE n bl
AN si le ree
"A.wiz
".m.tS
".mt.U*
".mt.jU*
"m.b.grIs
."mE.n.b:
n."sI.l.r
acceptable for
."pA*t."heI*t
.froU*."dI.zI.k
A ppalacia (n, s) .p."l.tSI.
.p."reI*.ts
apparatus
".plI.k.b:
applicable
".kw
aqua"eI*.kwI.s
aqueous
archaeology A*.kI".l.dZ
"A*."keI*n.dZ:
archangel
"A*.k.taI*p
archetype
"A*k.tIk
arctic
"A*.goU*
argot
ant AHRK tik
ANst
."nA*.dIk
an TE n
an TE nee
n."tE.naI*
A NGST
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 16
AH weez
A m chr
A m tuur
A m tyuur
AM br GRIS
ME n bl
A N SI l ree
British speech
A HNGST
a NAHR dik
an TE ni@
."pA*.TaI*d
A froh DI zee ak
.froU*."di.Zi.k
A p LA chi
.p."leI*.S
A p RAY ts
.p."r.ts
A pli k bl
."plI.k.b:
A kw
"A.kw
AY kwee s
".kwI.s
A HR kee O l jee A*.keI*.".l.dZ
A HR KA YN jl
A*."tSeI*n.dZ:
AHR k Ti@P
"A*.tS.taI*p
AHRK tik
"A*.tIk
AHR goh
"A*.gt
PA HR THi@D
aristocrat
arse
asbestos
assembly
assuage
".rIs.t.krt
As
s."bEst.s
."sEm.bl
."sweI*dZ
A ris t KRA T
RIS t KRA T
asterisk
athlete
atmospheric
authority
".st.rIsk
"T.lit
t.ms."fE.rIk
O."T.rI.t
A st RISK
4A lumnus
PA HRT HA YT
acceptable for
A HS
as BES ts
SEM blee
SWAYJ
ATH leet
A T ms FE rik
aw THO ri tee
."rIs.t.krt
A*s
z."bEst.oU*s
."sEm.b.l
."sweI*Z,
."swAZ
".strIks, ".strIk
".T.lit
t.ms.fI.rIk
A."TO*.rI.t
A froh DEE zhee ak
A p LAY sh
A p RA ts
PLI k bl
AH kw
A kwee s
AHR kay O l jee
A HR CHA YN jl
AHR ch Ti@P
AHR tik
AHR gt
British speech
A HRS
az BES tohs
SEM b lee
SWAZH,
SWAHZH
A striks, A strik
ATH leet
A T ms FI rik
ah THOR i tee
is a male graduate or former student of a school, college, or university. Its

plural is alumni . A lumna is a female graduate or former student. Its plural is alumnae .
A lumni is generally used to refer to both the alumni and alumnae of a coeducational
institution.
auxiliary
Og."zI:.j.r
awg ZIL y ree
Og."zI.l.r
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 17
awg ZIL ree
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 18
Letter du Jou r: B
D id y o u k no w that the letter B actually means "ho use"? It was
originally the second letter in the alphabet used by ancient Syrians and
Palestinians. I was called "beth", their word for "house". Many believe that it
evolved from the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for house and it certainly is an
enclosed letter. The Egyptians however drew the symbol like this with even a
doorway _____ then it evolved thusly through the Semites, Phoenicians and
Greeks_______ _______ finally being rounded to its present form by the
Romans about CE 114. When the Greeks first borrowed the symbol they called it
"beta" (They also called the entire set of letters "alphabet" from their first two
letters alpha and beta).
The letter B comes in about 20th place in frequency of use in written
materials and of course carries the connotation of second (not as good as an A
but good, Company B, Team B, B List actors, etc.). The small case version of the
letter didn't appear until CE 300 as a shortcut, taking less time to write than a
capital.
B usually corresponds to the sound [b]. Is it now mute after m at the ends
of words like climb, dumb, bomb, and lamb. That wasn't always true, but
pronunciation evolves over time to make speaking easier. So, the B probably
was dropped in mb combinations as the language shifted from Middle to
Modern English because it takes too much lip action to articulate it well5.
5A n
extreme extension of this action can be heard today in some Scottish dialects where
the mb drops the b in words like humble, amber, thimble, etc.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 19
D ESC RIPTIO N : voiced, bi-labial, stop-plosive consonant

Table LdJ .4
Letter du J our-B
IPA
Symbol
[b]
bill (initial)
above, blubber (medial)
club (final)
climb (silent)
[b]/b, as in B UB B LE
FORMATION: With lips lightly closed, breath exhaled; vocal folds vibrated; soft
palate raised causing pressure to build behind lips; lips quickly separated
resulting in a voiced explosive sound.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Some accents and dialects unvoice the final "b"
sound, so that [b]/b changes to [p]/p, or the lips fail to completely block the
stream of air so that [b]/b changes to [B]/bv.
Practice on:
scribe, barb, robber, neighbor, bubble, dubious
Pay particular attention to clear, well-sounded endings.

Practice on:
fibbed, verbs, cubed, tribes, enfeebles, eatables. curb, herb, cab

a. - Balance the better bids on the bankrupt apartment building.
b. - The probable trouble was intolerable, and Bobby babbled on about it, sobbing
abjectly.
DRILLS:- repeat each several times rapidly and clearly.

1. rubber baby buggy bumpers
2. begging beguilingly
3. bigger buggies
4. bleached cherubs
5. a big black bug bit a big black bear,

made the big black bear bleed blood
6. the bootblack brought the black

book back
7. toy boat
8. Peggy Babcock
9. Bodega Bodega
10. paper poppy, baby bubble
11. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
- repeat rapidly (20 times on one breath)
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 20
Table LdJ .5
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 21
-B
Troublesome Words
Problem Word
Babel
bacchanal
Bacchus
Bach
bade
badminton
bagel
Bahamian
bankruptcy
balk
balm
banal7
barbiturate
basal
basil
basis (s.)
basis (pl.)
bas relief
because
been
behemoth
Beijing8
beneficent
beneficiary
benignant
bequeath
bestial
bestiality
blasphemous
blithe
Boise
bolivar/Bolivar
6The
"beI*.b:
BAY bl
b.k."n:
BA k NAL
"b.ks
BA ks
bA
6
bd
BAD
"bd.mIn.tn
BAD min tn
"beI*.g:
BAY gl
b."heI*.mI.n
b HAY mi n
"bNk.rpt.s
BANGK ruhpt see
bOk
BAWK
bAm
BAHM
"beI*.n:, b."n:
BAY nl, b NAL
b NAHL, ba NAHL
b."nA:, b."nA:
bA*."bI.tS.rIt
bahr BI ch rit
"beI*.s:
BAY sl
"b.z:
BA zl
"beI*.sIs
BAY sis
"beI*.siz
BAY seez
"bA rI."lif
BAH ri LEEF
bI."kOz
bi KAWZ
bIn
BiN
bI."hi.mT
bi HEE mth
beI*."dZIN
bay JING
b."nE.fI.snt
b NE fi snt
bE.nI."fI.SI..r
BE ni FI shi ree
bI."nIg.nnt
bi NIG nnt
bI."kwiD
bi KWEE TH
"bEst.j:
BEST yl
bEs.tI.".lI.t
BES ti A li tee
"bls.f.ms
BLAS f ms
blaI*D
BLi@TH
"bOI*.s
BOY see
boU*."li.vA*
boh LEE vahr
"b.b:
BA bl
bA.k."nA:
BAH k NAHL
"bA.ks
BAH ks
bAk
BAHK
beI*d
BAYD
"bd.mI.tn
BAD mi tn
"b.g:
BA gl
b."hA.mI.n
b HAH mi n
"bNk.rp.s
BANGK ruhp see
bO:k
BAWLK
bA:m
BAHLM
bA*."bI.tSu.It
"beI*.z:
"beI*.z:
reversing
pronounciations
bahr BI chu it
BAY zl
BAY zl
"bAs rI."lif
bi."kz
bEn, bin
"bi.h.mT
beI*."SIN
BAHS ri LEEF
bee KUHZ
BEN, BEEN
BEE h mth
bay SHING
b."nI.fI.snt
bE.n."fI.S.r
bI."naI*.nnt
bi."kwiT
"bis.tS:
bis.ti.".lI.t
bls."fi.ms
blaI*T
"bOI*.z
"boU*.lI.vA*
b NI fi snt
BE n FI sh ree
bi Ni@ nnt
bee KWEETH
BEES chl
BEES tee A li tee
blas FEE ms
BLi@TH
BOY zee
BOH li VAHR
final consonant sound in Bach is difficult to describe to English speakers. It does

show up in the English language as the first sound in words starting with "hu" as in
human, or humor. It is a typical German sound and is represented by the phonetic
symbol [].
7No matter which pronunciation you choose you will fail to please at least half of your
listeners. Many public speakers simply drop banal from their vocabulary. Of course, an
actor doesn't have that option with a script. So pick whichever pronunciation you like.
8It is risky to make assertions about foreign place names. Problems stemming from
differences in alphabets, and sounds used in native speech that don't exist in English
result in the creation of "exonyms" like Florence for Firenze, Moscow for Moskva, etc. Our
recommendation for the capital of China is to pronounce the now less frequently used
Peking as ["pi."kIN] and Beijing as [beI*."dZIN] even though neither is how it is really said in
China.
bombardier
bona fide
bon mot
bouquet (flowers)
bouquet (aroma)
boudoir
Brobdingnagian
breeches
brooch
bruit
bulimia
buoy
Byzantine
bm.b."dI*
"boU*.n.faI*d
bO) mo
bu."keI*
boU*."keI*
"bu.dwA*
brb.dIN."n.gI.n
"brI.tSz
broU*tS
brut
bju."lI.mI.
"bu.
bI."zn.tIn
BOM br DIR
BOH n FI D
BAW(N) MOH
boo KAY
boh KAY
BOO dwahr
bm.b."dI*
boU*.n."faI*.d
bAn mAt
boU*."keI*
bu."keI*
bU."dwA*
BROB ding NA gi an brb.dIg."neI*.dZI.n
BRI chz
BROHCH
BROOT
byoo LI mee
BOO ee
bi ZAN tin
"bri.tSz
brutS
"bru.It
bu."li.mI.
bOI*
"bI.zn.taI*n
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 22
BOM b DIR
BOH n FI dee
BAHN MAHT
boh KAY
boo KAY
buu DWAHR
BROB dig NAY ji n
BREE chz
BROOCH
BROO it
boo LEE mee
BOY
BI zn Ti@N
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 23
Letter du Jou r: C
Table LdJ .6
IPA
Symbol
Letter du J our - C
[k]
[s]
[ tS ]
ch
[S]
sh
crisp, Christian, cup (initial)

tactical, because, inchoate (medial)
music, ache, back, Bach (final)
cease (initial)
policing (medial)
mice (final)
choose, cello (initial)
kitchen (medial)
cinch (final)
schnapps, Cherbourg, chagrin (initial)
machine, ocean, conscious (medial)
gauche (final)
We will focus on the sound [tS]/ch.

[tS]/ch, as in C H URC H
FORMATION: Affricate sound - combination of plosive [t]/t and fricative [Z]/zh.
Blade of tongue raised to touch front palate just behind gum ridge; breath
stream momentarily stopped by tongue at front palate. Tongue then quickly
lowers slightly, allowing breath stream to explode between it and front palate.
Sound is unvoiced.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: If the tongue extends too far forward the sound will
be overly sibilant, and lisping. If instead of releasing the tongue tip on the [t]/t
sound, the sides of the tongue are released, a lateral lisp will result. Both
sounds can vary from mild lisps which only require practice and attention to
correct, to cases which need the assistance of a speech pathologist.
Practice on:
church, change, structure, latching, stretch, witch

sheet/cheat, muss/much, shoes/choose, shuck/chuck
eats/each, cats/catch, hits/hitch, coats/coach
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 24
dish/ditch, wish/witch, bush/butch, mash/match

a. - Richard felt wretched after a lunch of chocolate and chives.
b. - Chuck fetched a pitcher of chalky milk and perched on his chair cheerfully
munching Cheerios.

1. Chichester witches
5. charming bachelor Chuck
2. Christian churches
6. richest challenge
3. bleached cherubs
7. charting challenging channels
4. choose orange shoes
8. sh-zh-ch-j-s-z-ch-j
[S-Z-tS-dZ-s-z-tS-dZ]
repeat rapidly (20 times on one breath)
Table LdJ .7
Mispronounced - C

Problem Word
cadre
"k.dr, "kA.d*
"kA.dreI*
KAH dray
calm
kAm
kv
"km.brI.n
"k.nt
k."prI.Ss
k.r.m:
"kA*.b.nIt
"kA*.b.neI*t
kA*".neI*.g
k.rI."bi.n
"keI*.vI.t
"sE.l.br.tO.r
sEnts
"sE.r.br:
SeI*z lON
"S.s
S."miz
SI."keI*.n.r
tSi."kA.noU*
kaI*."r.p.dIst
kA:m
k:v
"keI*m.bri.n
k."nt
k."pri.Ss
"kA*.m:
failure to
distinguish
"kA*.nI.g
k."rI.bi.n
"k.vI.t
s."lE.br.tO.r
sIns
s."ri.br:
tSeI*s lAU*ndZ
"tS.sIs, "tS.s
S."mis
tSI."keI*.n.r
tSI."k.noU*
S."r.p.dIst
KAHLM
calve9
Cambrian
cannot
capricious
caramel
carbonate (n.)
carbonate (v.)
Carnegie10
Caribbean
caveat
celebratory
cents
cerebral
chaise longue
chassis
chemise
chicanery
Chicano
chiropodist
KAD ree,
KAH dr
KAHM
KAV
KAM bri
KA not
k PRISH s
KA r ml
KAR b nit
KAR b nayt
kahr NAY gee
KA ri BEE n
KAY vi at
SE l br TAW ree
SENTS
SE r brl
SHAYZ LONG
SHA see
sh MEEZ
shi KAY n ree
chee KAH noh
ki@ RO p dist
KALV
KAYM bree
k NOT
k PREE shs
KAHR ml
KAHR ni gee
k RI bee n
KAH vi ot
s LE br TAW ree
SINS
s REE brl
CHAYS LOWNJ
CHA sis
sh MIS
chi KAY n ree
chi KA noh
sh RO p dist
Calf is also sometimes similarly mispronounced by the insertion of an "l".

accent is on the second syllable." - A ndrew Carnegie. For the concert hall, and
Dale Carnegie, the accent on the first syllable is most commonly heard.
10 "The
chivalrous
chromosome
clich
clique
clitorus
coitus
colander
collate
collation
combatant
"SI.v:.rs
"kroU*.m.soU*m
kli."SeI*
klik
"klI.t.rs
"koU*.I.ts
SHI vl rs
"k.ln.d
k."leI*t
k."leI*.Sn
km."b.tnt
KU ln dur
KROH m SOHM
klee SHAY
KLEEK
KLI t rs
KOH i ts
k LAYT
k LAY shn
kom BA tnt
SI."v:.rs
"kroU*.m.zoU*n
kl."SeI*
klIk
kl."tO*.rs
koU*."aI*.ts,
koU*."eI*.ts,
"kOI*.ts
"k.ln.d
"koU*.leI*t
"koU*.leI*.Sn
"km.b.tnt
acceptable for
comparable
conch
consortium
constable
consummate
consummate
(adj.)
(v.)
contemplative
(n. of religious orders)
contemplative
(adj. pensive)
contumely
controversial
coral
coupon
courage
covert (adj. & n.)
crayon
culinary
cupola
"km.p.r.b:
kNk
kn."sO*.SI.m
"kns.t.b:
kn."s.mIt
"kn.sju.meI*t
kn."tEm.pl.tIv
KOM p r bl
"kn.tm.pleI*.tIv
"kn.tjum.l
kn.tr."v.S:
"k.r:
"ku.pn
"k.rIdZ
"k.vt
"kreI*.n
"kju.lI.n.r
"kju.p.l
KON tm play tiv
KONGK
kn SOR shi m
KUN st bl
kn SU mit,
KAHN syoo MAYT
kn TEM pl tiv
KON tyoom lee

KON tr VUR shl
KO rl
KOO pon
KU rij
KU vurt
KRAY on
KYOO li n
. ree
KYOO p l
km."pE.r.b:
kntS
kn."sO*.tI.m
"kns.t.b:
"kAn.s.mt
"kAn,s.meI*t
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 25
shi VAL rs
KROH m ZOHN
kl SHAY
KLIK
kl TOR s
KOH i@ ts,
KOH ay@ ts,
Koy ts
KO ln dur
KOH layt
KOH lay shn
KOM b tnt
British Speech
km PE r bl
KONCH
kn SOR tee m
KAHN st bl
KAHN s mt,
KAHN s MAYT
failure to
distinguish
meanings
kn."tum.l
kAn.tr."v.si.:
"kO*.r:
"kju.pn
"k.rIdZ
koU*."vt
krn
"k.l.nE.r
"kju.p.loU*,
"ku.pj.loU*
kn TOOM lee
KON tr VUR see l
KOR rl
KYOO pon
KUR rij
KOH VURT
KRAN
KU li ne ree
KYOO p loh.
KUP y loh
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 26
Letter du Jou r: D
D ESC RIPTIO N ; (typically) voiced, lingua-dental, stop-plosive, consonant.
Table LdJ .8
ipa
Symbol
Letter du J our -D
[d]
[t ]
[dZ ]
t
j
dog (initial position

middle (medial position)
end (terminal position)
asked (final)
adjust, soldier (medial)
pledge (final)
[d]/d, as in D READ ED
FORMATION: Tip of tongue lightly pressed against gum ridge behind upper
teeth; sides of tongue touch side teeth; soft palate raised; air stream stopped.
Air is sent past the vocal folds causing them to vibrate; air pressure builds
behind tongue tip, which is released quickly, and air explodes out of the mouth.
1. - Sometimes the [d]/d is dropped from the middle of words.
Practice on:
grandfather, sandwich, commanded, breadth

a. - I demanded the width of my sandwich have the breadth of a hand.
b. - A nderson, the candle-maker, handled dozens of individually hand-dipped
candles daily.
2. - Do not let the tongue touch the teeth11. This dentalization [d1] is noticeable
in several Eastern urban dialects.
Practice on:
wreathe/reed, breathe/breed, thence/dense, they/day, loathe/load,
thither/dither, though/dough
c. - Don't dither, Dudley, weed the garden, and do the dishes.
11Unless
[d]/d is followed immediately by a "TH" sound.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 27
d. - Danny, wouldn't dare drop his daughters dolls in the dumpster.
3. - Make sure that final [d]/d sounds are fully voiced and don't become [t]/t
through a lack of energy on the sound. Be careful not to make an off-glide
sound [d]. Stop on the [d].
Practice on:
beat/bead, set/said, hurt/heard, root/rude, goat/goad, right/ride

e. - Todd hoarded a load of hardwood, and didn't intend to vend it.
f. - Did you hide the kids in the woods, or in the old shed?

1. A dozen Black & Decker Dustbusters
5. Paddy had a deadened haddock in the

paddock.
2. deranged avenger
6. wooden noodle
3. handle dandelion
7. depth and breadth
4. Dwight wouldn't dwell with a dozen

wooden dwarves.
8. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
Table LdJ .9
Mispronounced - D
Problem Word
daiquiri
dais
damask
data
decibel12
decrease (n.)
decrease (v.)
deity
deluge
depot
despicable
detritus
dew
12A n

Di@ k ree
"daI*.k.r
"deI*.Is
"d.msk
"deI*.t
"dE.sI.bE:
"di.kris
dI."kris
"di.I.t
"dE:.judZ
"di.poU*
"dE.spI.k.b:
dI."traI*.tIs
dju
DAY is
DA msk
DAY t
DE si BEL
DA k ree
"d.k.r
"daI*.Is
d."msk
"d.t
"dE.s.b:
Di@ is
d MASK
DA t
DE s bl
DEE krees
di KREES
improper
stressing
DEE i tee
"deI*.I.t
"deI*.luZ
"dE.poU*
DAY i tee
d."spI.k.b:
"dE.tr.ts
du
d SPI k bl
DEL yooj
DEE poh
suitable for some

DE spi k bl
di TRY tis
DYOO
DAY loozh
DE poh
military & British
DE tr ts
DOO
interesting bit of trivia, and a good way to remember this pronunciation is that the
last syllable of this word is meant to honor A lexander Graham Bell. Thats why the symbol
describing this is dB for deci (divisions of ten) Bells (units of sound pressure).
diesel
diminution
diphtheria
diphthong
dirigible
discourage
disheveled
disparate
dissect
doth
dour
drawer (one who
"di.z:
dI.mIn."ju.Sn
dIf."TI.rI.
"dIf.TN
"dI.rI.dZI.b:
dIs."k.rIdZ
dI."SE.v:d
"dIs.p.rt
dI."sEkt
dT
dU*
"drO.
DEE zl
drowned
ducat
duty
drAU*nd
"d.kt
"dju.t
DROWND
draws and the receptacle)
DI min YOO shn

dif THI ri
DIF thong
DI ri j bl
dis KU rij
di SHE vld
DI sp rt
di SEKT
DUTH
DUUR
DRAW er
DUK t
DYOO tee
[eI*]
"di.s:
dIm.ju."nI.Sn
dIp."TI.rI.
"dIp.TN
d."rI.dZ.b:
dIs."k.rIdZ
dIs."hi.v:d
dI."spE.rIt
"daI*.sEkt
dT
"dAU*.*
drO
DEE sl
"drAU*n.dd
"du.kt
"du.t
DROWN dd
to Z [zi]
page 28
DIM yoo NI shn

dip THI ri
DIP thong
di RI j bl
dis KUR rij
dis HEE vld
di SPE rit
Di@ sekt
DOTH
DOWUR
DROR
DOOK t
DOO tee
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 29
Letter du Jou r: E
WAY S TO PRO N O UN C E - 12!
Table LdJ .10 Letter du J our - E
IPA
Symbol
[i]
[I]
[E]
[u]
[]
[ ]
[ ]
[eI* ]
[aI* ]
[oU* ]
[I*]
[E*]
ee
i
e
oo
ur
ur
ay
i@
oh
eer
air
receive, seed, people, read, cede, chief

because, except, breeches
heavy, get, leopard, leisure
flew, blue, queue
women, difference
user
learn, clerk
great, obey, clich, ballet, matinee, reign, eight
height, die, dye
beau
here, dear, cheer, weird
there, heir
We will focus on [i]/ee, and [E]/e.

[i]/ee as in H EED
FORMATION: Highest and most forward of all the vowel sounds, front of tongue
lifted high toward front palate; muscles of tongue tense; jaw almost shut; lips
unrounded. Because of the effort needed to make this sound it is usually found
on stressed syllables. Compare it to the nearby [I]/i, as in HID, and []/ee as in
the last syllable of SILLY.
PLACEMENT: Often called the "smile vowel" - why we say cheeeese when
someone takes a picture. It is supposed to be a bright sound. If the lips are
rounded, or closed the sound will lack brilliance and clarity.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Some regions (notably American Southern) start this
sound with a relaxed tongue then tense into the vowel, producing an on-glide
diphthong [*i]/uee. Work instead to come cleanly on to the vowel.
Practice on:
agree, thee, eagle, convene, seize, teased, police, peeling, reveal

bid/bead, pill/peal, rid/read, dim/deem, kills/keels, sin/seen
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 30
a. - Steve is weak-kneed and queasily freezes at scenes from B-movies.

b. - Edith eats the greasy eels with ease, peeling each with her teeth.
[E]/e as in H EAD
FORMATION: Front of tongue at mid-front level, relaxed; lips unrounded; jaw
half-open. Compare it to nearby sounds [I]/i, as in HID, and []/a, as in HAD.
PLACEMENT: Keep sound forward and bright. A slight smile will help. As with
[]/a, this sound can become nasal, so experiment with pinching your nose
closed, and see if the tone changes. If it does, then too much of the sound is
resonating through your nose. Make a slight yawn (this will raise your soft
palate) and see if the sound comes out more clearly.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: The infamous "git-get" substitution. To correct it
open your mouth farther and drop the front of your tongue.
Practice on:
hid/head, pit/pet, did/dead, rid/red, will/well, bitter/better

ten tin men, then hem him in, pin Dennis' pen, din in the den
a. - Every Wednesday Betty gets her best dress ready for a heavy session of betting
on roulette with friends and a heavy sweating session with Teddy.
b. - Yesterday's leftover lettuce, a deviled egg, and several sections of wet bread
went into J enny's breakfast.
c. Measure the egg on your leg.
Table LdJ .11 Mispronounced - E
Problem Word
ebullient
I."bu.lI.nt
E.k."n.mIk
i.lEk."tO*.r:
i BUU li nt
electoral
I."bU:.jnt
i.k."n.mIk
I."lEk.t.r:
i BUUL ynt
eleemosynary
E.l."m.s.n.r
E l MO s n ree
i.lI.."m.s.nE.r
E lee MO s ne ree
elephantine
E.l."fn.tIn
In."k.rIdZ
"En.kleI*v
"En.v.loU*p
"En.vOI*
E l FAN tin
"E.l.fn.taI*n
En."k.rIdZ
"n.kleI*v
"n.v.loU*p
"n.vOI*
E l fn Ti@N
economic
encourage
enclave
envelope
envoy
(n.)
EE k NO mik
i LEK t rl
in KU rij
EN klayv
EN v lohp
EN voi
E k NO mik
EE lek TO rl
en KUR rij
ON klayv
ON v lohp
ON voi
equanimity
equilibrate
era
err
erratum
erudite
espresso
et cetera
evolution
i.kw."nI.mI.t
i.kw."lI.breI*t
"I.r, "I*.r
I."reI*.tm
"E.ru.daI*t
I."sprE.soU*
Et."sE.t.r
E.v:."ju.Sn
EE kw NIM i tee
EE kw LI brayt
I r
UR
i RAY tm
E roo Di@T
i SPRE soh
ET SE t r
E vl YOO shn
E.kw."nI.mI.t
I."kwI.l.breI*t
"E.r
E*
I."r.tm
"E.ju.daI*t
Ek."sprE.soU*
Ek."sE.tr
i.v:."ju.Sn
suitable for
i VOLV
extant
I."v:v
Ik."skleI*m
"Ek.splI.k.b:
"Ek.skwI.zIt
Ik."stnt
extraordinary
Ik."strO*.dI.n.r
ik STROR di n ree
evolve
exclaim
explicable
exquisite
ik SKLAYM
EK splik bl
EK skwi zit
ik STANT
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 31
E kw NIM i tee
i KWI l brayt
E r
AIR
i RA tm
ER yoo Di@T
ek SPRE soh
EK SE t r
EE vl YOO shn
British speech
i."vA:v
Ek."skleI*m
Ik."splI.k.b:
Ik."skwI.zIt
"Ek.stnt
ee VAHLV
Ek.str."O*.dI.nE.r
EK str OR di ne ree
ek SKLAYM
ik SPLIK bl
ik SKWI zit
EK stnt
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 32
Letter du Jou r: F
D ESC RIPTIO N :
(typically)
unvoiced, labio-dental, fricative, continuant
consonant.
Table LdJ .12 Letter du J our - F
Ipa
Symbol
[f]
[v]
flu (initial)
after, stuffing (medial)
if, tiff, calf (final)
of (final)
[f]/f as in FLUFF
FORMATION: Lower lip brought up under edge of upper teeth; soft palate raised;
breath comes out in continuous stream between lower lip and upper teeth;
vocal folds do not vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Practice usually needed here on rapidity and clarity.
Practice on:
further/father/farther, hoofer/heifer/huffer, field/filled/felled

a. - Five flasks of coffee for breakfast lifted the fretful fog from Fred's mind.
b. - The selfish elf finished the fine French aftershave himself.

1. filly fully folly
5. fluffy finches flying fast
2. fetch fresh fruit
6. Frank threw Fred three free throws.
3. fixed perspectives
7. French-fried falafel
4. Freddie's friend Eddie phoned for

Freddie to fetch fresh fruit from the
farm of the famous French farmer.
8. f v sh zh s z sh zh
[f v S Z s z S Z]
Table LdJ .13 Mispronounced - F

Problem Word
falcon
"fO:.kn
fE."mI:.jE
"f:.kn
fE."mI.jE
familiar
FAWL kn
f MIHL yr
FAL kn
fr MIH jur
February
fetid
finis
flaccid
Florida
flutist
forbade
forehead
foreign
forget
formidable
forte
(strong point)
forte
(music)
foyer
frequent
frequent
Friday
fungi
(adj.)
(v.)
"fE.bru.E.r
"fE.tId
"fI.nIs
"flk.sId
"fl.rI.d
"flu.tIst
fO*."bd
"f.rId
"f.rIn
f."gEt
"fO*.mI.d.b:
fO*t
"fO*.teI*
"fOI*.
"fri.kwnt
frI."kwEnt
"fraI*.d
"fn.dZaI*
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 33
"fE.bju.E.r
"fi.tId
fi."ni
"fl.sId
"flO*.d
"flaU*.tIst
fO*.beI*d
"fO*."hEd
"fO*.rIn
f."gIt
fO*."mI.d.b:
"fO*.teI*
fO*."teI*
"fOI*.jeI*
FEB yoo E ree
FREE kwnt
fri KWENT
Improper
stressing
FRi dee
"fraI*.deI*
"fN.g
FRi day
FE broo E ree
FE tid
FI nis
FLAK sid
FLO ri d
FLOO tist
for BAD
FAW rid
FO rin
fr GET
FOR mid bl
FORT
FOR tay
FOI ur
FUN ji@
FEE tid
fee NEE
FLA sid
FLOR d
FLOW tist
for BAYD
FOR HED
FOR rin
fur GIT
for MID bl
FOR tay
for TAY
FOI yay
FUNG gee
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 34
Letter du Jou r: G
D ESC RIPTIO N :
(typically)
voiced, lingua-palatal, stop-plosive, consonant
Table LdJ .14 Letter du J our - G

IPA Symbol
[g]
[dZ ]
[Z]
zh
[f]
[k]
[N]
f
k
ng
[Ng]
[n]
ng-g
n
[p]
good, ghost (initial)

begin (medial)
bag, rogue (final)
gelatin (initial)
ledger, exaggerate (medial)
trudge (final)
gendarme (initial)
bourgeois (medial)
rouge (final)
cough (final)
hough, lough (final)
hanger (medial)
song (final)
linger (medial)
gnu (initial)
foreign (final)
hiccough (final)
(silent) height, bough13
[g]/g as in GIGGLE
FORMATION: Back of tongue raised and in contact with soft palate,which is
elevated. Exhalation begun, building up pressure, and the vocal folds vibrated.
The tongue is quickly lowered, producing a voiced plosive sound.
1. - If back of tongue doesn't press firmly against the soft palate, [g]/g will take
on a fricative sound. This will make the speaker sound fuzzy, or slightly drunk.
Spanish speakers are particularly prone to this as the correlative Spanish sound
is a fricative [].
13In
fact OUGH is one of the most problematic spellings in English. Observe: bough [aU*],
Edinborough [], hiccough [p], Lough [], hough [k], ought [], though [oU*], through [u],
tough [f], trough [f]. The word "slough" is pronounced [slaU*, slf, slu].
Practice on:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 35
begin, logging, giggle, boggle, again, league, tiger, argue, mug

a. - Gary's golf game began to disintegrate as he gulped great flagons of lager.
b. - Gregory the greengrocer haggled with the gluttonous and aggressive
gourmand over a bag of grapes.
2. - At the ends of words be careful to give the sound full value. Some speakers
lose energy and unvoice the sound to [k]/k, or drop it altogether.
Practice on:
fatigue, twig, shrug, fugue, brogue, plague, burgh, hag, egg

c. - Meg bragged of her big-league log book, and begged for autographs.
d. - Greta's legs graced the pages of Vogue and gobs of catalogues.

1. giggle gaggle
5. bigger buggies
2. eight great gray geese grazing

gaily in Greece
6. linger longer
3. gouging grouchy Gauchos
7. begging beguilingly
4. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
8. n ng k g l ng k g
[n N k g l N k g]
Table LdJ .15 Mispronounced - G

Problem Word
gala
"geI*.l
GAY l
"gA.l
GAH l
gaseous
Gawain
genuine
get
gibberish
"g.sI.s
"gA.wIn
"dZEn.ju.In
gEt
"dZI.b.rIS
GA si s
"g.Ss
g."weI*n
"dZEn.ju.waI*n
gIt
"gI.b.rIS
GA shs
giblet
glaucoma
gondola
government
"dZI.blIt
glO."koU*.m
"gn.d.l
"g.vn.mnt
JI blit
"gI.blIt
glAU*."koU*.m
gn."doU*.l
"g.v.mnt
GI blit
GAH win
JEN yoo in
GET
JI b rish
glaw KOH m
GON d l
GU vurn mnt
g WAYN
JEN yoo wi@n
GIT
GI b rish
glow KOH m
gon DOH l
GU vur mnt
gramercy
Gramercy14
granary
gratis
grievous
grimace
grocery
grovel
guillotine
14Gramercy
gr."m.s
"gr.m.s
"gr.n.r
"gr.tIs,
"greI*.tIs
"gri.vs
grI."meI*s
"groU*.s.r
"gr.v:
"gI.l.tin
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 36
gr MUR see
GRA mur see
reversing
pronunciations
GRA n ree
"greI*.n.r
"grA.tIs
GRAY n ree
"gri.vi.s
"grI.ms
"groU*.S.r
"gr.v:
"gi.j.tin
GREE vee s
GRA tis,
GRAY tis
GREE vs
gri MAYS
GROH s ree
GRU vl
GI l TEEN
GRAH tis
GRI ms
GROH sh ree
GRO vl
GEE y TEEN
is the name of a New York City park. Gramercy (usually all in lower-case) is
an interjection expressing pleasant surprise or thanks - a contraction of grand mercy.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 37
Letter du Jou r: H
D ESC RIPTIO N : unvoiced, glottal, fricative, continuant, consonant
Table LdJ .16 Letter du J our - H
IPA Symbol
[h]
[H]
[j ]
h
hy
[g]
[f]
g
f
[p]
[ ]
p
hw
[D]
th
[T]
th
[tS ]
ch
[S]
sh
hand (initial)
mishap (medial)
behind (medial)15
huge (initial)16
inhumane (medial)
ghost (initial)
photo (initial)
roughage (medial)
cough (final)
hiccough (final)
when (initial)
anywhere (medial)
this (initial)
other (medial)
seethe (final)
thing (initial)
brothel (medial)
both (final)
churn (initial)
bachelor (medial)
watch (final)
shine (initial)
bashful (medial)
wish (final)
Although this consonant shows up in ten different sounds, we will focus on just
two: [h]/h and [j]/hy
[h]/h as in H O W
15[
H ] is a subtle voiced sound found in English only in the medial position between two
vowel sounds.
16[ ] is a sound most frequently recognized in German on words like ich, or in Scottish
on words like loch. It is present in many languages, but its only occurrence in A merican
English is on the rapid connection of [ h ] and [ j ].
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 38
FORMATION: Produced by continuous flow of air through vocal folds,throat and

the mouth; tongue and lips relaxed and in position for following vowel; soft
palate raised; vocal folds do not vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Speakers with breathy voices need to watch that
words starting with the unvoiced air stream of [h]/h don't carry that airy quality
throughout the entire word.
Practice on:
heavy, health, hedge, wholly, Hamlet, highway, hungry, hundred

a. - Her high hopes hid behind a heavy heart and inhibited her happiness.
b. - Hard-hearted Harold hit Henry hard with a hickory-handled hammer.
c. - Henry howled horribly and hurriedly hobbled home.
[j]/hy as in H UGE
FORMATION: sound begins in the same manner as [h]/h. As the tongue rises in
anticipation of [j]/y, the air stream is focused on the soft palate producing the
unvoiced fricative [].
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Some dialects (New York is a good example) drop []
leaving the [j]/y sound to stand alone, so "human" becomes ["jumn]/Y O O m n.
Practice on:
hue/ewe, Hugo/you go, Houston/Euston, Huron/you're on

humid, humility, humanitarian, hewn
a. - Hubristic Hugo humorlessly hated humanity.
b. - They humiliated Hubert, the humongous human, by heaving him into lake
Huron.
Drills: repeat each several times rapidly and clearly.

1. you knew Hugh
5. dormant humidors
2. you go with Hugo
6. perhaps happy hippies
3. huge humans humorously hued
7. humorous rumors
4. Youmans' menu/human's - men who
8. how many mahogany and

mohair hassocks has Hermione
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 39
Table LdJ .17 Mispronounced - H

Problem Word
HAV
HALV
harass
height
heinous
helicopter
herb17
homicide
hv
"hN.k.tSIf
"h.rs
haI*t
"heI*.ns
"hE.lI.kp.t
b
"h.mI.saI*d
homogeneity
hoU*.moU*.dZ."ni.I.t
HOH moh j NEE i tee
hoU*.moU*.dZ."neI*.I.t
HOH moh j NAY i tee
horrible
horror
hospitable
hostile
"h.rI.b:
"h.r
"hs.pI.t.b:
"hs.t:
HO ri bl
"hO*.r.b:
"hO*.
h."spI.t.b:
"hs.taI*:
HOr r bl
halve
handkerchief
HANG kur chif

HA rs
Hi@T
HAY ns
HE li KOP tur
URB
HO mi Si@D
HO rur
HO spi t bl
HOS tl
h:v
"hN.k.tSif
h."rs
haI*tT
"hi.ni.s
"hi.lI.kp.t
hb
"hoU*.mI.saI*d
acceptable for
houses
housewife
hovel
huge
human
hundred
hygienist
hysteria
17Pronounce
"hAU*.zIz
"h.sIf
"h.v:
judZ
"ju.mn
"hn.drId
haI*."dZi.nIst
hI."stI.rI.
HOW ziz
HU sif
HU vl
HYOOJ
HYOO mn
HUN drid
hi@ JEE nist
hi STI ri
"hAU*.sIz
"hAU*s."waI*f
"h.v:
judZ
"ju.mn
"h.nd
haI*."dZE.nIst
hI."stE.rI.
HANG kur cheef

h RAS
Hi@T TH
HEE nee s
HEE li KOP tur
HURB
HOH mi Si@D
HOR ur
ho SPI t bl
HOS ti@l
British speech
HOW siz
HOWS Wi F
HO vl
YOOJ
YOO mn
HU nurd
hi@ JE nist
hi STE ree
the initial "H" in herbal, herbicide, herbaceous, herbivore, herbivorous,

and herbarium. Keep it silent on herbage, and herb.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 40
Letter du Jou r: I
WAY S TO PRO N O UN C E: 11!
Table LdJ .18 Letter du J our - I
IPA Symbols Respelling
[i]
[I]
[E]
[ ]
[u]
[]
[eI* ]
[aI* ]
[OI* ]
[I* ]
[E*]
receive, chief
hit, build
leisure (British)
plaid
fruit
edible
faint, vein
wine, lie, height
oil
bier, weird
fair, heir
ee
i
e
a
oo
ay
i@
oi
ir
air
We will focus on the sounds of [I]/i, []/, and [aI*]/i@.

[I]/i, as in H ID
FORMATION: Front of tongue high, but more relaxed than for [i]/ee; lips
unrounded and relaxed; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate. Compare to the
nearby sounds [i]/ee, as in HEED, and [E]/e, as in HEAD.
PLACEMENT: This bright forward vowel can become murky sounding if you
round your lips. Allow your lips to spread slightly in the feeling of a smile to
keep the sound clear.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Many non-native speakers will substitute [i]/ee. Also
guard against nasality, especially near nasal sounds [m, n, N]/m, n, ng. Make clear
separations between [I]/i, and its two surrounding sounds [i]/ee, and [E]/e.
Practice on:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 41
beat/bit/bet, deed/did/dead, seed/Sid/said, seal/sill/sell, reed/rid/red

hips, bib, titter, hideous, tickle, niggardly, thimble, million, village, billion
a. - Tim, sitting prettily in his silver slip, didn't consider his idiosyncrasies to be
significant.
b. - Will the gypsy's whiskey still irritate my liver, or shall I switch to gin fizzes?
[]/, the "schwa", o r neutral vo wel

FORMATION: Tongue low, in most relaxed state; lips unrounded; jaw relaxed,
mouth slightly open;soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
PLACEMENT: Situated in center of mouth; most relaxed of all the vowels, and
likely to have most balanced tonality. If you have a problem with tonality, this,
and it's stressed correlative []/u are good vowels to use to find a centered
tone.
USE: This sound is sometimes called the :"schwa" from the German-Yiddish
word sheva for emptiness. It is regarded as the most neutral of the vowel
sounds, and is the most frequently occurring vowel in American English. Since it
is the most relaxed vowel, it can only occur on unstressed syllables.
Hear the sound in comparison to []/u:
commence/come, suppose/sup, Tacoma/tuck, upon/upper.
Practice on:
apparent, beneficent, dependent, machine, support, common

a. - The amateurish artificiality of the actress was reprehensible.
b. - Her experiences of their selfishness and carelessness caused her anxiety.
[aI*]/i@, as in H IGH
FORMATION: Diphthong. Tongue starts in low mid-back position and moves
forward toward high front region; lips unrounded; the jaw starts dropped, then
lifts; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
[eI*]
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page 42
PLACEMENT: Watch out for over-nasality. A good adaptation to make this

diphthong rounder is to adjust the first sound from [a] to [A]. 18 That is a darker
and rounder sound, and can keep the diphthong from being too brassy.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: This is the diphthong Southerners are famous for
changing, so that we hear "I'm right fine" shift to "Ahm raht fahn." Use a tape
recorder to check the sound, and a mirror so you can see the jaw close and
tongue lift to the second sound.
Practice on:
Tom/time, tall/tile, spa/spy, bah/buy, dock/dike, fond/find

tie, thigh, I'll, diamond, scythe, sublime, hive, crimes, imbibe,
a. - I'm the kind that likes a wild time for a dime.
b. - Write, we know, should not be written "right", should not be written "wright",
nor should it be written "rite", but "write", for only then is it written right.
Table LdJ .19 Mispronounced - I
Problem Word
idea
aI*."di.
"Ig.noU*.mI.n
Ig.n."reI*.ms
I."ls.tr.tIv
"Im.pI.s
"Im.p.tnt
In."kg.nI.toU*
"In.kris
In."kris
i@ DEE
aI*."di.
Ig."n.m.n
Ig.n."r.ms
I.l."streI*.tIv
Im."paI*.s
Im."poU*.tnt
In.kg."ni.toU*
i@ DEE ur
IN krees
in KREES
improper
stressing
In.dI."f.tI.g.b:
In."Ek.splI.k.b:
IN di FA ti g bl
In.dI.f."ti.g.b:
In.Eks."plI.k.b:
IN di f TEE g bl
In."fI:.treI*t
"In.flu.ns
In."hI*.rnt
In."hs.pI.t.b:
In."kwaI**.r
"In.t.gr:
in FIL trayt
"In.f:.treI*t
In."flu.nts
In."hE.rnt
In.h."spI.t.b:
"In.kw.r
In."tEg.r:
IN fl TRAYT
ignominy
ignoramus
illustrative
impious
impotent
incognito
increase (n.)
increase (v.)
indefatigable
inexplicable
infiltrate
influence
inherent
inhospitable
inquiry
integral
18Many
IG noh mi nee
IG n RAY ms
i LUS tr tiv
IM pi s
IM p tnt
in KOG ni toh
in EK spli k bl
IN floo ns
in HI rnt
in HO spi t bl
in KWi@ ree
IN t grl
phoneticians do write this diphthong as [AI, AI*, AI, Ai].
ig NO m nee
IG n RA ms
I l STRAY tiv
im Pi@ s
im POH tnt
IN kog NEE toh
IN ek SPLI k bl
in FLOO nts
in HE rnt
in ho SPI t bl
IN kw ree
in TE grl
interest
interesting
intravenous
Iran
Iraq
irony
irregardless
irrelevant
irreparable
irrevocable
Italian19
19Rocco,
"In.trst
"In.tr.stIN
In.tr."vi.ns
I."rAn
I."rAk
"aI*.r.n
---I."rE.l.vnt
I."rE.pr.b:
I."rE.v.k.b:
I."t:.jn
IN trst
IN tr sting
IN tr VEE ns
i RAHN
i RAHK
i@ r nee
---i RE l vnt
i RE pr bl
i RE v k bl
i TAL yn
[eI*]
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page 43
IN t REST
"In.t.rEst
I n RE sting
"I.n.rEs.tIN
In.tr."vi.nI.s IN tr VEE nee s
i@ RAN
aI*."rn
i@ RAK
aI*."rk
i@ ur nee
"aI*..n
This is not a word.
---i RE v lnt
I."rE.v.lnt
i ri PE r bl
I.rI."pE.r.b:
I.rI."voU*.k.b: i ri VOH k bl
i@ TAL yn
aI*."t:.jn
as you might expect, is particularly alert to this one!
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 44
Letter du Jou r: J
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiced, affricate, consonant
Table LdJ .20 Letter du J our - J
IPA Symbol
Respelling
[dZ ]
[Z]
zh
[j]
[h]
y
h
jury (initial)
adjust, rejoice (medial)
jabot (initial)
Raj (final)
J ohannes
jacaranda
We will focus on the letter "J" as it represents the sound of [dZ]/j.

[dZ]/j, as in J UD GE
FORMATION: Affricate sound - combination of stop-plosive [d]/d, and fricative
[Z]/zh. Blade of tongue raised, lightly touching front palate just behind gum
ridge; breath stream momentarily stopped by tongue at soft palate; tongue then
quickly lowers a bit, allowing breath stream to explode between it and front
palate to form the [Z]/zh part of the sound. Palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: If the tongue extends too far forward the sound will
be overly sibilant, and lisping. If instead of releasing the tongue tip on the [d]/d
sound, the sides of the tongue are released, a lateral lisp will result. Both
sounds can vary from mild lisps which only require practice and attention to
correct, to cases which need the assistance of a speech pathologist. Be sure to
fully voice this sound at the ends of words. Don't let it become [tS]/ch.
Practice on:
each/siege, rich/ridge, catch/cadge, leather/ledger, etch/edge

juice, jaw, jolly, region, fugitive, dodges, fringed, avenged
a. - A surge of rage changed his visage from joyful to jaundiced.
b. - The juvenile gigolo joshingly badgered his bejeweled benefactress about a
juicy sojourn in A rgentina.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 45
Drills: repeat each several times rapidly and clearly:

1. gorgeous Georgia's jargon
5. generous German managers
2. urgent juror
6. strange Indian hinges
3. deranged avenger
7. devulging bulging bilges
4. begrudging curmudgeon
8. sh zh ch j s z ch j
[S Z tS dZ s z tS dZ]
Table LdJ .21 Mispronounced - J
Problem Word
jewelry
joust
jubilant
juror
just
juvenile
"dZu.:.r
dZst
"dZu.bI.lnt
"dZU*.r
dZst
"dZu.v.n:
"dZu.l.r
dZAU*st
"dZu.bju.lnt
"dZ.rO*
dZIs
"dZu.v.naI*:
JOO l ree
J UST
JUU bi lnt
JUU rur
J UST
JOO v nl
JOO l ree
J OWST
JUU byoo lnt
JUR or
J IS
JOO v ni@l
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 46
Letter du Jou r: K
D ESC RIPTIO N :
(typically)
unvoiced, lingua-velar, stop-plosive, consonant
Table LdJ .22 Letter du J our - K
IPA Symbol
Respelling
[k]
[n]
klaxon (initial)
irksome (medial)
brook (final)
know (initial)
[k]/k , as in C O O K
FORMATION: Back of tongue raised and in contact with soft palate, which is
elevated. Exhalation is begun, building up pressure; vocal folds not vibrated;
tongue quickly lowered, producing unvoiced plosive sound.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: If the back of the tongue doesn't come into firm
contact, a blurred fricative sound will replace [k]/k. Additionally, the sound is
often omitted at the ends of words and in challenging consonant combinations.
Practice on:
guilt/kilt, gram/cram, ragging/wracking, boogie/bookie, bag/back, tag/tack,
beacon/begun
excellent, election, clip, eccentric, tact, heckler, acne, picture, A rctic, flaccid
chaos, kept, lackey, broker, occur, forsook, walk, pick, fluke, ask
a. - J ack whisked a flask of the musked vodka-like tincture from his jacket pocket.
b. - The instructor inked political questions on Marx, Kant and Copernicus.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 47
DRILLS: repeat each several times rapidly and clearly:

1. kinky cookie
5. necessary accessories
2. kickle cackle
6. go-kart cargoes of take-out tacos
3. fixed perspectives
7. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
4. mixed biscuits
[n N k g l N k g]
Table LdJ .23 Mispronounced - K
Problem Word
kiln
kismet
Koran
kudos20
kI:
"kIz.mEt
k."rAn
"kju.ds
kI:n
"kIs.mt
"kO*.rn
"ku.doU*z
20 Useage
KIL
KIZ met
k RAN
KYOO dahs
KILN
KIS mt
KAW ran
KO O do hz
note: kudos is not a plural word. It means glory or praise. There is no singular
form of the word, so you cant give someone a kudo. He received many kudos is also
incorrect. You should say, He received much kudos.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 48
Letter du Jou r: L
D ESC RIPTIO N : voiced, lingua-alveolar, lateral, continuant, semi-vowel
consonant.
Table LdJ .24 Letter du J our - L
IPA Symbols Respelling
[l]
[:]
like (initial)
relish (medial)
l
faulty (medial)
tall (final)
silent calm
[l, :]/l, as in LULL

FORMATION: Jaw open fairly wide; broadened tip of tongue pressed against
upper gum ridge; sides of tongue allow openings between them and side teeth
for air to flow laterally; palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Though "l" has one formation, it has two important
functions. [l] is the "clear", or "released" consonant. It is always followed by a
vowel sound. When you form this sound, you can feel your tongue will only
touch briefly on your gum ridge, then release into the vowel. Focus on speed
and alacrity with this sound.
Practice on:
lily, lovely, failing, shallow, toweling, Philip, silly, lullaby,
Be careful not to add an extra syllable, so that words like "failing" become FAY
ling.
a. - The lovely ladies leaned on the leeward rail of the luxury liner and looked
longingly at the eleven lanky Leningrad longshoremen.
b. - Lollie loved flipping off literary allusions and belly laughs during long
telephone talks.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 49
[:] called the "dark", or "unreleased L" is followed by either a consonant or

silence. When you say this sound your tongue will hold against the gum ridge,
and the back of your tongue will drop lower. This is a natural quality, and not
one you will want to emphasize. The "dark l" is a problematic sound for many
speakers. Here are some of the misarticulations:
1. - many speakers fail to touch their tongue to the gum ridge at all on this
sound. The result is either [oU*]/oh or [ : ], also called a "double-dark l." On all
these exercises look in a mirror and be sure you see and feel your tongue meet
the gum ridge.
2. - [:] can distort the vowel in front of it, changing "feel" to "fill.
Practice these pairs of words, and keep the vowel the same for both.
feeling/feel, peeling/peel, failing/fail, bailing/bail
3. - avoid adding an extra syllable before [:].

scowl, girl, steal, coil, pearl, mile, foil, Carl, deal
4. - on words of more than one syllable, don't add [w]/w or [j]/y before [:].
towel is ["taU*:]/TO W l, not ["taU*w:]/TO W- wl
vial is ["vaI*:]/V i@ l, not ["vaI*j:]/V i@ yl
5. - don't drop the [:] when it's followed by [j]/y. Practice on:
value, brilliant, Italian, will you, peculiar, billion, failure
Natalia Hilliardi, sister of Illya, the peculiar Italian Duke, found herself engaged to J ulius
Williams, a brilliantly alluring, but hateful A ustralian. Illya's millions would join with J ulius'
billions, and Illya Hilliardi would be the richest and most resilient Italian Duke. But Natalia
valued neither millions nor billions, and certainly didn't like J ulius. When Illya insisted, she
took to Valium, and nearly made his plot a failure.
Practice on:
a.
Consult the dull culturally refined authorities about hushing up while studying.
b.
I'll swallow a tall glass of cold milk.
c.
Fill the bottle until it is full.
d.
Tell Phil he'll pull all the wool from the dull colored ball.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 50
DRILLS: - repeat each several times rapidly and clearly

1. Culligan and calla lily
6. red leather, yellow leather

11. peculiarly brilliant
2. limited ability
7. minimal animal
12. Italian William
3. eleven benevolent elephants

8. philological ability
13. lemon liniment
4. will you, William
9. literally literary
14. Willamette family
5. aluminum linoleum
10. alabaster balasters
15. n ng k g l ng k g [n N k g l N k g]
Table LdJ .25 Mispronounced - L
Problem Word
lackadaisical
lambaste
lamentable
largess
leisure
length
liaison
l.k."deI*.zI.k: ]
LA k DAY zi kl
lk.s."deI*.zI.k:
LAK s DAY zi kl
lm."beI*st
"l.mn.t.b:
"lA*.dZs
"l.ZE
lENkT
lam BAYST
"lm."bst
l."mEn.t.b:
lA*."dZEs
"li.ZE
LAM BAST
LENGKTH
lEnT, leI*nT, liNkT
LENTH, LAYNTH, LEENGKTH
"li..zn,
li."eI*.zn,
li.eI*."zO)
LEE zon,
lee AY zon,
"leI*..zn
LAY zon
"laI*.brE.r
lidZ
"ln.Z.r,
ln.Z."r
laI*D
loU*T
loU*D
"loU*D.sm
lN laI*vd
"lAU**.rIN
L i@ bre ree
"laI*.bE.r
liZ
lAn.dZ."reI*
L i@ be ree
L i@TH
laI*T
L i@T H
LOHTH
LOHTH
reversing
pronunciations
LOH TH sm
"loU*T.sm
lN lIvd
"loU*.w.rIN
LOHTH sm
library
liege
lingerie
lithe
loath (adj.)
loathe (v.)
loathsome
long-lived
louring/
lowering
(threatening)
LA mn t bl
LAHR js
LEH zhur
lee ay
l MEN t bl
lahr JES
LEE zhur
z o)
LEEJ
LAN zh ree
lan zh REE
LONG L i@VD
LOWUR ring
LEEZH
lahn j RAY
LONG LIVD
LOH wur ring
[eI*]
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page 51
Letter du Jou r: M
D ESC RIPTIO N : voiced, bi-labial, nasal, continuant, consonant
Table LdJ .26 Letter du J our - M
IPA
Symbol
[m ]
[m` ]
mask (initial)
hamburger (medial)
beam (final)
m
(syllabic initially, only on foreign words) Mhorr
rhythm (final)
silent mnemonic
[m]/m, as in M AM M AL
FORMATION: Lips lightly closed; soft palate lowered to allow air to pass through
and out of nose; tongue relaxed and lowered; vocal folds vibrate.
PLACEMENT: Since this sound is produced through the nose, the quality of sound
can reveal nasal blockage. As that is usually not correctable by simply "speaking
better", medical attention may be required before correction can be effective.
Blockage can be caused by congestion from adenoids, growths in the nasal
passage, deviated septum, injury, allergies, or the common cold. This is true of
all the nasal resonating consonants: [m, n, N].
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Use this sound to increase your sense of facial mask
resonance. Focus also on speed and precision.
Practice on:
mimicking, mummery, mumbled, manumission, remember

a. - Mamie mumbled and murmured memorandums to the members at Monday's
interminable meeting.
b. - Mama maintains her moments of submissiveness are merely my imagination.
DRILLS: repeat each several times rapidly and clearly
1. minimal animal
5. moving Vermont
2. mommala poppala
6. inimically mimicking
3. murmur rumors
7. abominable mambo
4. Martin met a mob of marching

munching monkeys.
8. remembered dismembering
[eI*]
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page 52
9. abominable abdominals
Table LdJ .27 Mispronounced - M

Problem Word
machination
m.SI."neI*.Sn
"md.mn
"m.dZaI*
mE.r."Si.noU*
m."tS
mv, mOv
"m.neI*z
meI*."O*.r:
mI."di.v:
MASH i NAY shn
memento
m.kI."neI*.Sn
"md.mn
"meI*.dZaI*
m.r."ski.noU*
m."tjU*
moU*v
"meI*..neI*z
"meI*..r:
mE.dI."i.v:
mi.dI."i.v:
m."mEn.toU*
MAK i NAY shn
m MEN toh
moU*."mEn.toU*
moh MEN toh
memorabilia
mE.m.r."bI.lI.
ME m r BI li
mEm.r."bi:.j
mem r BEEL y
men
mEn
"mEn.t
"m.tSn.daI*z
"mId.waI*.fr
mi:."jU
mI."ns.kju:
mIn."ju.SI.i
"mI*.r
"mIs.tS.vs
"mn.d
"moU*.rIz
m."stS
MEN
mIn
"mEn.tO*
"m.tSn.daI*s
mId."wI.f.r
"mI:.ju
"mI.n.skju:
mI."nu.S
"mI*
mIs."tSi.vI.s
"mn.deI*
"mO*.reI*z
"ms.tS
MIN
madman
magi
maraschino
mature
mauve
mayonnaise
mayoral
medieval
mentor
merchandise (n.&v.)
midwifery
milieu
minuscule
minutiae
mirror
mischievous
Monday
mores
mustache
MAD mn
MAY j i@
MA r SKEE noh
m TYUUR
MOHV
MAY
NAYZ
MAY rl
me dee EE vl
mee dee EE vl
MEN tur
MUR chn Di@Z
MID w i@f ree
meel YUU
mi NUS kyool
min YOO shi ee
MI rr
MIS ch vs
MUN dee
MOH reez
m STASH
MAD man
MA j i@
MA r SHEE noh
m CHUR
MOV, MAWV
MA nayz
may AW rl
mi DEE vl
MEN tawr
MUR chn Di@S
mid W i@ f ree
MIL yoo
MI ns kyool
mi NOO sh
MEER
mis CHEE vee s
MUN day
MAW rayz
MU stash
[eI*]
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page 53
Letter du Jou r: N
D ESC RIPTIO N : voiced, alveolar, nasal, continuant, consonant.
Tabe LdJ .28 Letter du J our N
IPA
Symbol
Respelling Examples of their words and their various spellings
[n]
[ n` ]
[N]
ng
Silent
need, knead, mnemonic, pneumonia (initial)

announce (medial)
win (final)
(syllabic initially, only on foreign words) Nkomo
even (final)
singer (medial)
song, tongue, think (final)
condemn
We will focus on the sounds of [n]/n, and [N]/ng

PLACEMENT: Both sounds, like [m]/m are nasal resonators, and rely on an open
and clear nasal passage.
[n]/n, as in N AN N Y
FORMATION: Tip of tongue pressed lightly against the upper gum ridge, sides of
the tongue in contact with side teeth; lips unrounded; tongue relaxed; air passes
through nose as soft palate is lowered, and vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Don't get stuck in the nasal resonators for the
following vowel. Work for speed and clarity. Don't omit the sound in difficult
consonant combinations such as [nm]/nm.
Practice on:
deed/need, dab/nab, done/none, dale/nail, wading/waning

ninny, none, government, environment, phenomenon
a. - Nanette's need for nicotine wasn't known until noon.
b. - Neil's unnerving tendency to gnaw his knuckles undermined the important job
interview.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 54
[N]/ng, as in SIN GIN G

FORMATION: Lips unrounded; jaw slightly open; back of tongue raised against
soft palate, so air cannot exit mouth; tip of tongue rests low behind lower front
teeth; soft palate lowered, allowing air to move through nasal passage; vocal
folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: This is a difficult sound for many American dialects
and foreign accents.
1. - complete "ing" endings so that [IN]/ing doesn't change to [n]/ n.
2. - don't alter "ing" endings so that [IN]/ing changes to [in]/een.
Practice on:
sing/singing, bring/bringing, wing/winging, ding/dinging, cling/clinging

a. - Darling, you'll not be getting something for nothing this evening.
b. - Singing, laughing and drinking, their lives came to nothing.
3. - when [N]/ng is followed by a vowel, don't change it to [Ng]/ng-g.

Practice on:
long/longing, throng/thronging, clang/clanging, hang/hanging

Long Island, gingham, hanger, bring it, king of, sing on, bang at
c. - King A lbert sang a long and twanging song of young love.
d. - Bringing A llen along, we were running along the Long Island shipping
anchorage.
4. - the [Ng]/ng-g sound is present in many words

Practice on:
angular, mangle, younger, longer, linguist, singled, bungled

e. - Linger longer in the jungle, King of Tonga.
f. - Mr. Bungle's attempts to mingle in the singles bar were anguishing.
5. - the [Nk]/ng-k sound is present in many words

Practice on:
length, strength, ankle, sprinkle, thinking, tinkle, minx, larynx

ankle/angle, tinkle/tingle, anchor/anger, rankle/wrangle, banker/Bangor
6. - beware of [N]/ang changing to [I*N]/aing. Keep the front of your tongue

low.
Practice on:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 55
band/bank, sand/sank, planned/plank, hand/handkerchief

g. - The lanky man angrily drank himself into blankness.
h. - With a loud clanging and banging, A nne madly rang the gong.
Practice on this combination of [N]/ng sounds:

i. - The lanky English linguist languished long, feeling hungry and angry, his
strength shrinking, as he sank on a mangled plank and drank until his anger
shrank.
DRILLS: - repeat each one several times rapidly and clearly:

1. linger longer
6. winging to England
2. twanging language
7. anchor in Bangor
3. belonging longer
8. drinking ink
4. wrong rung wringing
9. long, long ago

[n N k g l N k g]
5. angry banker in Bangor
-repeat rapidly (20 times on one breath)
Table LdJ .29 Mispronounced- N
Problem Word
naivet
nascent
negotiate
new
New Orleans
newspaper
nihilism
nuclear
nuptial
nah eev TAY
nA.iv."teI*
"n.snt
n."goU*.SI.eI*t
nju
nju "O*.lI.nz
"njuz."peI*.p
"naI*..lI.zm
"nju.klI*
"np.S:
NA snt
n GOH shee AYT
NYOO
nyoo OR li
nz
NYOOZ PAY pur

N i@ li zm
NYOO kli ur
NUP shl
nah EEV tee
naI*."i.v.t
"neI*.snt
n."goU*.si.eI*t
nu
nu O*."linz
"nus."peI*.p
"ni..lI.zm
"nu.kj.l
"np.tSu.:
NAY snt
n GOH see AYT
NOO
NOO or LEENZ
NOOZ PAY pur
NEE li zm
NU ky lur
NUP choo l
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 56
Letter du Jou r: O
Table LdJ .30 Letter du J our - O
IPA
Symbol
[i]
[I]
[E]
[]
[O]
[o]
[U]
[u]
[]
[]
[ ]
[ ]
[eI* ]
[OI* ]
[aU* ]
[oU* ]
[O*]
[U*]
[w ]
ee
i
e
o
aw
oh
uu
oo
u
ur
ur
ay
oi
ow
oh
or
uur
w
people, amoeba
women
leopard
knowledge, hot, orange
bought
opinion
woman, could, wolf, foot, Worcestershire
ooze, to, food, wound, ouzel
color, hiccough, blood
polite
actor
work, journey
gaol
boy, oil
loud, how, oust
shoulder, bowl, boast, home, no
floor, hoary, horn
poor, tour
once, ouija, someone
We will focus on "O" as it is used in the sounds [oU*]/oh, [aU*]/ow, [OI*]/oi, and
[]/o.
[oU*]/o h, as in H O E
FORMATION: Diphthong - for initial sound [o] back of tongue in upper mid back
position and relaxed; lips rounded and lax; soft palate raised; vocal folds
vibrate. As diphthong shifts into second sound [U] back of tongue rises slightly,
and lips tense, rounding farther.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Be sure not to slide into a British sounding [U*] when
speaking classical texts because of a misguided desire to "speak well."
Practice on:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 57
photo, oleo, Hoboken, Tokyo, overgrowth, taupe, boast, bowl, home

a. - The hole in J oan's hose had slowly grown past her soles and over her toes.
b. - It was so cold in the old theatre that there was snow blowing over the front
rows.
[aU*]/o w, as in H O W
FORMATION: Diphthong - tongue starts in low mid-back position, rises to highback region; lips lax and unrounded for first element of diphthong [a];
becoming tense and rounded for second sound [U*]; jaw moves from open to
closed; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Many speakers make the initial sound too far
forward and the diphthong takes on the brassy quality of [U*] instead of the
darker [aU*]/ow. It can be helpful to take the sound all the way to [A]/ah21. In the
following word pairs let the sound of the first word help shape the initial vowel
in the diphthong.
Practice on:
ah/hour, papa/power, balm/bow, calm/cow, spa/spout, drama/drought

a. - Howard's frowzy spouse slouched around the house, and lounged on the couch.
b. - How the stout Countess allowed her round and mountainous form to gain
pound upon pound astounded us all.
[OI*]/o i, as in H O IST
FORMATION: Diphthong - tongue starts in mid-back position [O] and moves to
the high front region [I*]; lips move from slightly rounded to unrounded; soft
palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: If the tongue doesn't rise to make the second sound
[I]/i, the vowel [O]/aw results so that oil sounds like all. Additionally, when the
21Many
phoneticians do write this diphthong as [AU, AU*, AU, Au].
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 58
diphthong is followed by [:]/l, there is a tendency to add [j]/y, so that oil sounds
like oiyal.
Practice on:
moil, foil, toil, coil, boil, doily, spoil, recoil, multifoil, voile, soil, despoil
a. - Floyd, the royal boy, joined the singing with a moistly adenoidal voice.
b. - Roy enjoyed Troy's joyous boyish foibles, but was disappointed by his adroit
avoidance of toil.
[]/o , as in H O T
There are three vowel sounds in English that are so close together that many
speakers have trouble differentiating between them: [A]/ah, []/o, and [O]/aw. All
are formed with a low back tongue placement. Many American dialects
generalize them into one sound. They should be separated. The main difference
is lip roundness:
Americans tend to speak these sounds more accurately when accompanied by

an "R" sound, so look in a mirror and watch your lips as you say these key
words:
[A]/ah as in hard is unrounded.
[]/o as in horrible (make it rhyme with hot) is slightly rounded. (For US
speakers this sound is often used naturally in words like sorry, borrow and
tomorrow.)
[O]/aw as in horn is very rounded.
Practice these words in comparison:
Table LdJ .31 [A, , O]- in Comparison
[A]/ah
[]/o
[O]/aw
[oU*]/ o h
[A]/ah
[]/o
[O]/aw
[oU*]/ o h
1. ah
2. Allah
3. palm
4. balm
5. Tahoe
6. taco
ox
Ollie
policy
bomb
Tom
tock
awe
all
Paul
bawl
tall
talk
oh
old
pole
bowl
toll
toque
17. alms
18. palm
19. papa
20. Baden
21. Tana
22. Dahl
odd
pod
popper
body
tonic
doll
awed
pawed
pauper
bawd
tawny
Dalton
owed
polled
pope
bode
tone
dole
7. Dada
8. Kahn
9. spa
10. Mahler
11. llama
12. father
13. psalm
14. Shah
15. Brahms
16. Java
dotted
con
spondee
moll
lolling
folly
somber
shot
broth
John
daughter
call
spawn
maul
lawless
falcon
sauce
Shaw
brought
jaundice
dote
cone
spoke
mole
loan
foal
sews
show
broach
Jones
23. calm
24. mama
25. armada
26. Nazi
27. father
28. facade
29. sake
30. mirage
31. drama
32. cha-cha
cod
mop
mod
knotty
fond
sod
sock
Roger
drop
chock
[eI*]
cawed
maw
Maud
naughty
fawned
sawed
Salk
raw
drawn
chalk
to Z [zi]
page 59
code
mow
mode
noted
phoned
sewed
soak
row
drone
choke
Compare these sets of sentences where the sounds fall in the same order:
a. Charge off to war, Homer.
The almond got raw and old.
b. Martin swallowed the gorgeous cone.
Massage the monster's paw slowly.
c. Carve the horrible warm bowl.
Calm that hot mawkish tone.
When []/o is followed by an "R", most Americans change it to [O**]/or. Compare

these words, and match the vowel sounds.
Practice on:
hot/horrible, dot/Dorothy, fog/forest, log/lorry, Tom/torrent
This next sentence has these sounds [r, r, O*] in random order:
d. Rehearsing makes Horace hoarse, and hoarseness is
.r
O*
O*
harassing to his humble hobby horse. Now if this hoarseness
.r
O*
O*
harasses Horace's horse, how it must affect Horace. A ctually, it
.r .r
O*
.r
haunts Horace.
.r
Table LdJ .32 Mispronounced - O
Problem Word
obeisance
oU*."beI*.sns
".b.lIsk
."blik
."fI.S:
".fn
oU*."bi.sns
"oU*.b.lIsk
oU*."blik
oU*."fIS.:
"f.tn
obelisk
oblique
official
often
oh BAY sns
O b LISK
BLEEK
FI shl
O fn
oh BEE sns
OH b LISK
oh BLEEK
oh FI shl
OF tn
ohl FAK t ree
O n MAH t PEE
.n.mA.n."peI*.
O n MAH n PAY
f.TA:."m.l.dZst
OF thahl MO l jst
p.TA."m.l.dZst
OP th MO l jst
".rI.k:
".rI.dZn
"O*.n.r
"O*.ToU*.E.p
aU**
O ri kl
"O*.rI.k:
"O*.rI.dZn
"An.r
O*."ToU*..p
A*
OR ri kl
ol FAK t ree
onerous
onomatopoeia
.n.mA.t."pi.
ophthalmologist
oracle
oligarchy
origin
ornery
orthoepy
our
to Z [zi]
page 60
oU*:."fk.t.r
"oU*.lI.gA*.k
"oU*.n.rs
:."fk.t.r
".lI.gA*.k
".n.rs
olfactory
[eI*]
O li GAHR kee
O n rs
O ri jn
OR n ree
OR thoh E pee
OWR
OH li GAHR kee
OH n rs
OR ri jn
AHN ree
or THOH pee
AHR
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 61
Letter du Jou r: P
D ESC RIPTIO N : bi-labial, voiceless, stop-plosive consonant.
Table LdJ .33 Letter du J our - P
IPA
Symbol
[p]
[n]
poem (initial)
happen, upon (medial)
hop (final)
pneumatic (silent)
[p]/p, as in PO PULAR
FORMATION: Lips closed; soft palate raised; air exhaled to create gentle
pressure behind lips; lips then opened quickly; air released explosively; tongue
relaxed; vocal folds don't vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Guard against over-popping when using a
microphone (though on-stage it might be a strong dramatic effect). Work for
speed and clarity
Practice on:
bit/pit, beg/peg, rib/rip, tab/tap, dabber/dapper, Mabel/maple

a. - Pepe peculiarly planted purple paper poppies and pink paper petunias, in
perfectly preformed patterns.

b. - Harper typically supposes his perspectives are popular, but his personal
prejudices appeal only to purely apish disciples.

1. paper poppy, baby bubble
5. dapper dabber
2. Peggy Babcock
6. keep on peeking, creeping peeper
3. peculiarly perverted viper
7. sloppily sipping purple slurpees
4. rapid rabid rabbit
8. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 62
Table LdJ .34 Mispronounced - P
Problem Word
paean
"pi.n
pAm
"p.r.dIm
PEE n
"peI*.n
pA:m
"p.r.daI*m
"pA*.l
"ps.t.r:
"pEk.t.r:
pEn
"pi.n.laI*z
"p.mIt
p."mIt
p.sI."vI*
PAHR lee
f."n.mI.nn
pi.".nIst
"pi.knt
f NO mi NON
"pln.tIn
pOI*n."sE.tI.
p."lis
"pO*.kj.paI*n
"p.rIdZ
p."zEs
prI."si.dns
"prE.d.t
"prE.f.r.b:
"prE:.jud
"prE.mI.sz
pri.m."nI.Sn
prI."pE.r.tO*.r
prI."stI.dZs
prI."vEn.tIv
"prI.m
"praI*.m
"prI.v.lIdZ
"pr.sEs
PLAN tin
palm
paradigm
parley
pastoral
pectoral
pen
penalize
permit
permit
(n.)
(v,)
persevere
phenomenon
pianist
piquant
plantain
poinsettia
police
porcupine
porridge
possess
precedence
predator
preferable
prelude
premises
premonition
preparatory
prestigious
preventive
primer (book)
primer (he, who,
or that which primes)
privilege
process
PAHM
PA r DIM
acceptable for
PAY n
PAHLM
PE r Di M
British speech
"pA*.leI*
ps."tO*.r:
pEk."tO*.r:
pIn
"pE.n.laI*z
PAHR lay
PUR mit
pur MIT
improper
stressing
PUR si VIR
p."sE.v,
p.s."vI*
f."n.mI.nn
"pi..nIst
pi."kAnt,
"pi.kwnt
pln."teI*n
pOI*nt."sE.t
"poU*.lis
"pO*.k."paI*n
"pO*.rIdZ
poU*."zEs
"prE.s.dns
"prE.d.tO*
prI."f.r.b:
"preI*.lud
"prE.m.siz
prE.m."nI.Sn
"prE.pr.tO*.r
prE."sti.dZs
prI."vEn.t.tIv
pur SE vur
PUR sur VIR
PRI mr
PRi mr
failure to
distinguish
PRI v lij
"prIv.lIdZ
"proU*.sEs
PRIV lij
PAS t rl
PEK t rl
PEN
PEE n Li Z
pee A nist
PEE knt
poin SE ti
p LEES
POR ky Pi N
PO rij
p ZES
pri SEE dns
PRE d tr
PRE f r bl
PREL yood
PRE mi sz
PREE m NI shn
pri PE r TOR ree
pri STI js
pri VEN tiv
PRO ses
pas TOR rl
pek TOR rl
PIN
PE n Li Z
f NO mi NUN
PEE nist
pee KAHNT
PEE kwnt
plan TAYN
point SE t
POH lees
POR kee Pi N
POR rij
poh ZES
PRE s dns
PRE d TOR
pri FUR r bl
PRAY lood
PRE m SEEZ
PRE m NI shn
PREP r TOR ree
pre STEE js
pri VEN t tiv
PROH ses
British speech
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 63
acceptable for
processor
program
progress
"pr.sE.s
"proU*.grm
"pr.grEs
PRO se sr
PROH gram
PRO gres
"pr.sE.sO*
"proU*g.rm
"proU*.grEs
acceptable for
PRO se sor
PROH grm
PROH gres
British speech
promulgate
pr."m:.geI*t
pr MUL gayt
"pr.m:.geI*t
PRO ml GAYT
pronunciation
pr.nn.sI."eI*.Sn
pr NUN si AY shn
pr.nAU*n.sI."eI*.Sn
pr NOWN si AY shn
psalm
sAm
"pU:.pIt
SAHM
sA:m
"p:.pIt
SAHLM
pulpit
PUUL pit
PUL pit
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 64
Letter du Jou r: Q
Table LdJ .35 Letter du J our - Q
IPA
Symbol
[ kw ]
kw
[k]
[ kj ]
k
ky
quite (initial)
inquire (medial)
plaque
queue
"Q" has no phonetic identity in English, - all sounds it is used to create are
represented by other letters - so there will be no articulation drills for this
section.
Table LdJ .36 Mispronounced - Q

Problem Word
qualm
quasi
quay
querulous
query
quietus
kwAm
"kweI*.zaI*
ki
"kwE.r.ls
"kwI*.r
kwaI*."i.ts
kwA:m
"kwA.z
kweI*
"kwI*.j.ls
"kwE.r
"kwaI*..ts
KWA HM
KWAY zi
KEE
KWE r ls
KWI ree
kwi EE ts
KWA HLM
KWAH zee
KWA Y
KWIR y ls
KWE ree
KWi ts
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 65
Letter du Jou r: R
D ESC RIPTIO N : voiced, retroflexed, lingua-palatal fricative continuant
consonant.
Table LdJ .37 Letter du J our - R
IPA
Symbol
[r]
[]
[ ]
ur
UR
right, write (initial)

around, furry (medial)
over, hear, hair, far, for, poor, fire, hour
worm, turn, journey, fern, earn, third,
myrtle, myrrh, chauffeur
Remember, "R" can function as both vowel and consonant. R, L, and S are
considered to be the most troublesome letters in English, so this is an important
section. First, the consonant:
[r]/r, as in REWRITE
FORMATION: Center of tongue raised toward center of palate; tongue tip and
blade may be raised toward the palate, but do not touch it; lips very slightly
rounded and protruded; jaw lowered; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate. For
[r] to function as consonant, it must be followed by a vowel sound.
1. - Don't over-round the lips substituting [w] for [r]. Use a mirror, or place a
finger across your lips to feel for any movement on the [r].
Practice on:
way/Wray, weak/wreak, wangle/wrangle; wen/wren, wit/writ, wench/wrench,
west/wrest, wiggle/wriggle, wight/Wright

a. - Francois' rust brown Rolls Royce raced around the track, driven dreadfully by
the dangerously deranged Frenchman.
2. - Some dialects and accents substitute [:]/l for [r].

Practice on:
lead/read, lack/rack, lug/rug, load/road, lore/roar, lip/rip
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 66
b. - Really, relying for their living on their relations' salaries, relaxed Lorraine and
Larry.
3. - When [r] is placed between two vowels, the first vowel often inadvertently
changes, and the [r] is shifted to [r]. To correct this, identify the first vowel, and
save the [r] for the second syllable. For example: "marry" is often said as "merry". To get it right, say it as ["m-r]/MA-ree.
Practice on these sets of words. For accuracy, refer to the IPA vowel chart, pp.__, since respelling
is less specific.
Table LdJ .38 Comparison of the Front Vowels With [r]
[Ir]/ir
[e* r]/air
[Er]/er
[r]/ar
erase
pyrrhic
berate
tyranny
direct
Kirin
mirror
miracle
lyric
virile
sirrah
heroic
spirit
airy=aerie
paring
bearing=baring
tearable
dairy
caring
Mary
Marion
hilarious
vary
Sarah
hairy
sparing
Eric
perish
bury=berry
terrible
Derry
Kerry
merry
A merica
celerity
very
serenade
herring
Sperry
arid
parish
Barrie=Barry
tarry
Darrow
carry
marry
Marilyn
hilarity
Varro
Saracen
Harry
sparrow
Table LdJ .39 Comparison of the Mid-Vowels with [r]
[r]/ur-r
[r]/ur-r
[r]/u-r
burry
furry
currish
stirring
whirring
myrrhic
drapery
sufferer
conqueror
surrender
wanderer
summary
burrow
furrow
courage
Surrey
worry
Murray
Table LdJ .40 Comparison of the Last Three Back Vowels with [r]
[Or]/awr
[r]/o-r
[Ar]ahr
auricle
Laura
chorus
Maureen
orally
pouring
oracle
lorry
Corin
morals
orange
porridge
aria
Lara
carabao
Mara
aria
sparring
boring
story
borrow
torrid
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 67
barring
starring
[]/UR and []/ur, as in M URM UR ["mm]

FORMATION: Central part of the tongue raised and tensed; tongue tip may be
curled back slightly, but doesn't touch roof of mouth; lips slightly rounded; jaw
half open; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate. These sounds can only be
made properly if followed by a consonant or silence. [] is stressed and longer,
[] is unstressed and shorter.
PLACEMENT: Mid-central vowels (see the vowel chart, pp.__), tend to have a
naturally even tone, but some dialects (such as Australian and British North
Country) will over-round the lips and make these sounds strongly nasal.
1. - The "Hard R", or overly-retroflexed "R". This is one of the defining sounds
of western, mid-west, range, country, and mountain American dialects. If your
"R" is too "hard", you are probably lifting and pulling back on the tip of your
tongue. Here is a way to reduce that tendency:
Practice:
a.
Say the word "hard" and observe the placement of your tongue tip and any tension in the
back of your tongue.

b.
Say the word "hard" again with a British dialect (no retroflection). Keep the tip of your
tongue pressed lightly against the back of your lower teeth; relax the back of the tongue.
c.
Say "hard" again with as heavily retroflexed a sound as you can. Pull your tongue tip up
and back
d.
A lternate several times between the British and over-done A merican dialects until you
have a clear sense of how your tongue tip operates on this sound.
e.
Finally, split the difference between the two sounds so that your "R" isn't as hard as
before, but hasn't disappeared entirely. Play with varying degrees of retroflection.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 68
2. - When you feel comfortable with that exercise, use the same format to
practice on all the various ways the vowel of "R" shows up in English:
Table LdJ .41 Comparison of R Diphthongs/Vowels
[]/UR
[]/ur
[I*]/ir
[e*]/air
[A*]/ahr
aver
purple
confer
burn
dirt
over
perplex
conifer
amber
wonder
ear
pier
cheer
beer
deer
air
pair
care
bare
dare
army
part
card
barn
dark
pour
tore
shore
door
bore
poor
tour
sure
dour
boor
pyre
tire
shire
dire
byre
power
tower
shower
dower
bower
[O*]/awr
[U*]/uur
[aI**]/i r
[aU**]/owr
3. - The presence of an "R" vowel also causes some mispronunciations: pour for
poor, shore for sure, as well as words like fear said with too high a vowel so it
sounds like "feer". Also avoid making triphthong words sound like two
syllables: tower like tow-wer (there is no "W" sound in those words), and fire
like fi-yer.
4. - If an "R" diphthong is followed by a vowel sound in the beginning of the
next word, that will cause the sound to change to a diphthong followed by an
"R" consonant. For example, in "far, far away", the first "far" is different from
the second ([fA fA* r"weI*]) because of the vowel in "away". Because of this
natural shift, in dialects or regional speech where no r-coloring is used (East
coast, Southern, etc.), there is a tendency, in phonetically similar situations, to
intrude an r-consonant out of thin air. For example: "idea is" becomes "idea
ris", or "law of averages" changes to "law rof averages".
Practice on:
so far away/sofa away, finer and/China and, lore of/law of

a. - Minnesota after a rainfall is A merica at its finest.
b. - Canada always appears bigger than China on the map.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 69
You may have discovered that you need to adjust your articulation of some "R"
sounds. To help, whenever "R" is followed by a vowel sound underline it.
Whenever followed by a consonant sound, or by silence, cross it out. Any "R"
that is underlined will function as a consonant. Guard against [r] to [w]
substitution. Any "R" that is crossed out is a vowel. Beware of overretroflection. Remember that these are rules of sound not spelling. For
example:
A ll for one, and one for all.
For hour after hour.
("one" begins with the [w] consonant sound)
("hour" begins with the diphthong [aU*], not the consonant "H")
Here are some sentences for you to practice marking and speaking the "R":
Practice on:
a. The erstwhile poet wrote earnest but worthless verses.
b. Return the green pre registration forms before enrolling.

r
r
r r
r
O*
O*. r r
c. A fter a rousing round of beer and pretzels, I'm ready to retire.
.r r
r
I.* r
r
r
r aI**
d. Beware of the rip-tide running offshore.
E.* r r
r
O*
e. The rustic rocking chair remains a relic of rural life.
r
r
E* r
r
rU*.r
f. The dramatic instructor was feared for his temper.
r
r
I*
O*
g. The horrible warriors wreaked a terrible catastrophe.

.r
.r r
E.r
r
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 70
h. The bored jurors snored through the original hearing.

O* U*.r O*
r
O.r
I*.r
i. The editor's grammar rarely ever required correction.
r
rE*
r
aI** r
j. The ambassador traveled to the Orient to protect A merican trade interests
r
O.*r
r
E.r
r
r
regarding the importing of car parts, scrap iron, and rubber tires.
r
A*
O
A* A*
r aI**
r aI**
Table LdJ .42 Mispronounced - R

Problem Word
rabid
ratiocination
ration
realtor
recognize
refuge
refugee
regime
remonstrate
reparable
repartee
respiratory
respite
roof
route
ruse
rural
RA bid
RAY bid
r.SI..sI."neI*.Sn
RA shi O si NAY shn
reI*.SI..sI."neI*.Sn
RAY shi O si NAY shn
"r.Sn
"ri.:.t
"rE.kg.naI*z
"rEf.judZ
"rEf.ju.dZ,
rEf.ju."dZi
reI*."Zim
rI."mns.treI*t
"rE.p.r.b:
rE.pA*."ti
RA shn
"reI*.Sn
"ri.l.t
"rE.k.naI*z
"rEf.juZ
"rEf.ju.Z
rEf.ju."Zi
rI."dZim
"rE.mn.streIt
rI."pE.r.b:
rE.pA*."teI*
RAY shn
rI."spaI**.r.tO*.r
ri SPi r taw ree
"rEs.p.r.tO*.r
RE sp r TAW ree
"rEs.pIt
ruf
rut
ruz
"rU*.r:
RES pit
r."spaI*t
rUf
rAU*t
rus
"r.r:
res PYT
"r.bId
REE l tr
RE kg Ni Z
REF yooj
REF yoo JEE
REF yoo JEE
ray ZHEEM
ri MON strayt
RE p r bl
RE pahr TEE
ROOF
ROOT
ROOZ
RUU rl
"reI*.bId
REE l tr
RE k Ni Z
REF yoozh
REF yoo ZHEE
REF yoo ZHEE
ri JEEM
RE mn STRAYT
ri PER r bl
RE pahr TAY
RUUF
ROWT
ROOS
RUR rl
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 71
Letter du Jou r: S
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiceless lingua-alveolar fricative continuant
consonant.
Table LdJ .43 Letter du J our - S
IPA
Symbol
[s]
[z]
[S]
see, pseudo, schism, science (initial)

astride, cassette, (medial)
base, amass
z
disaster (medial)
nose, his (final)
sh
shore, schnapps (initial)
ashen (medial)
wash, Bosch (final)
silent Illinois
We will focus on "S" as [s] and [S].

[s]/s as in SERIO USN ESS
FORMATION: Blade of tongue slightly grooved or channeled, and raised toward
alveolar ridge; sides of tongue sealed against side teeth; air passes between
tongue and alveolar ridge in continuous flow; teeth close together but not
closed; soft palate raised; vocal folds don't vibrate.
1. - If the tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge, and air is allowed to pass
around the sides of the tongue, you get a lateral lisp.
2. - If the tongue thrusts forward between the teeth, you get a frontal lisp which
sounds like [T]/th.
3. - If the focus of the sound is too far back it will have a vague, almost [S]/sh
quality.
4. - If the sound is made too forcefully, or for too long, it will stand out and
draw attention.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 72
We will work on both "S" and its voiced cognate "Z". The "S" is one of the most
important sounds to get right, and one of the most difficult. If it has any nonstandard quality at all it will become the center of attention and steal focus
from the speaker. The high frequency sound of the "S" carries great distances,
and microphones are especially sensitive to the sound. If you have ever gotten a
warning comment on this sound, take it seriously. Few issues can stop a career
more quickly. The drills here are for those who need a minor tune-up. If you
don't respond easily to these, a visit to a speech pathologist could be the
answer.
Practice these consonant combinations:
1.
(slowly - hold each sound) l....n.....z....d, l....n....s....t, (repeat several times. Don't let
the tip of your tongue touch the back of your upper teeth. The goal is to focus the "S" and "Z".
Experiment with subtle adjustments in placement to find the best focus. Often an objective
listener and a tape recorder are necessary to help you hear it.
2.
Say these pairs. Let the n, t, d, and l sounds help you place the s and z.
neat-seat
need-zeal
knit-sit
did-zit
net-set
Ned-said
tat-sat
dad-Zach
bought-sought
Len-Zen
test-zest
tone-zone
3.
Say each word with a "T" sound before it. Keep "S" as brief as possible.
t-steam
t-stem
t-stab
t-stand
t-stack
t-staff
t-stag
t-stage
t-stain
t-staid
t-stale
t-stall
t-stamp
t-stand
t-stink
t-star
t-staple
t-start
t-state
t-static
t-status
t-stay
t-stead
t-steal
4.
Say each word with a "N" sound before it.
n-zoom
n-zooms
n-zany
n-zeal
n-Zen
n-zest
n-zinc
n-zenith
n-zoo
n-zoos
n-zoot
n-Zulu
n-zone
n-zebra
n-zero
n-Zoe
5.
Say each word with a "T" sound before it. Keep the "S" as brief as possible. Don't change
[str]/str to [Str]/shtr.
{t-steam, t-stream, t-seam}
6.
{t-stand, t-strand, t-sand}
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 73
{t-stay, t-stray, t-say}
Though the following words end with an "S" spelling it is actually a "Z" sound. Be sure to
fully voice that sound.

loses
as
because
cheese
please
news
surprise
wise
his
hers
is
was
tells
weeds
wins
judges
longs
deeds
allows
nose
close
ease
says
has
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 74
[S]/sh, as in SH USH
FORMATION: Blade of tongue slightly grooved or channeled, and raised with the
sides of tongue sealed against side teeth, tongue tip pointed downward; air
passes between tongue blade and front of hard palate in continuous stream; lips
slightly protruded; soft palate raised; vocal folds do not vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: If the tip of the tongue touches the alveolar ridge and
one or both sides of the tongue release, the sound shifts to a lateral lisp. If the
tongue tip thrusts forward a frontal lisp [T]/th results.
Practice on:
seen/sheen, said/shed, sock/shock, Sam/sham, sort/short

viscous/vicious, my scene/machine, press her/pressure
lease/leash, office/fish, Russ/rush, hopeless/flesh, mass/mash
On the following sentences, identify the [s]/s, [z]/z, and [S]/sh sounds, and articulate them
clearly:
a.
Sister Susie is sewing shirts for soldiers; such skill at sewing shirts for soldiers
Sister Susie shows.

b.
Sharon's shameless gaucheries surely caused a share of the vicious gossip about
her suspicious attraction to the Welsh fisherman.
c.
The sharp-looking Chevy was washed to a shiny finish and furnished to perfection
with sheepskin seat cushions.
Table LdJ .44 Mispronounced - S
Problem Word
sacrilegious
s.kr."lI.dZs
sv
"s.v
"snd.wItS
"sNg.wIn
"skE.dZu:
s.kr."li.dZs
s:v
"s.:v
"sm.wItS
"sN.gwaI*n
"SE.dZu:
salve
salver
sandwich
sanguine
schedule
SAK r LIJ s
SAV
SA vr
SAND wich
SANG gwin
SKE jool
acceptable for
schism
schizophrenia
"sI.zm
skIt.s."fri.nI.
SI zm
SKIT s FREE ni
"skI.zm
skIt.s."frE.nI.
SAK r LEEJ s
SALV
SAL vr
SAM wich
SANG gwi n
SHE jool
British speech
SKI zm
SKIT s FRE ni
secretary
secreted (all meanings)
senile
servile
sheik
short-lived
siege
sieve
similar
sinecure
sirrah
sonorous
"sEk.r.tE.r
sI."kri.td
"si.naI*:
"s.v:
SeI*k
"SO*t "laI*vd
sidZ
sIv
"sI.mI.l
"saI*.n.kjU*
"sI*.r
s."nO*.rs
SEK r TE ree
si KREE td
SEE ni l
SUR vl
SHAYK
SHORT Li VD
SEEJ
SIV
SI mi lr
Si
n KYUUR
SIR r
s NOR rs
"sE.k.tE.r
"si.kr.td
"sE.naI*:
"s.vaI*:
Sik
"SO*t "lIvd
siZ
siv
"sIm.ju.l
"sI.n.kjU*
s."rA
"s.n.rs
acceptable for
species
spherical
spontaneity
status
strength
succinct
summarily
superfluous
superfluity
supposed
sure
swath
swathe
syrup
"spi.Sz
"sfE.rI.k:
spn.t."ni.I.t
steI*.ts
strENkT
SPEE sheez
sk."sINkt
"s.m.r.l
sju."p.flu.s
sju.p."flu.I.t
s."poU*zd
SU*
swOT
sweI*D
"sI*.rp
sk SINGKT
SFE ri kl
SPON t NEE i tee
STAY ts
STRENGKTH
SU m r lee
syoo PUR floo s
SYOO pur FLOO i tee
s POHZD
SHUUR
SWAWTH
SWAY TH
SI rp
"spi.siz
"sfI*.rI.k:
spn.t."neI*.I.t
st.ts
strEnT, striNkT,
streI*NkT
s."sINkt
s."mE.r.l
su.p."flu.s
su.p."flu.I.t
s."poU*.zd
S
swAD
swAD
"s.rp
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 75
SEK ur TE ree
SEE kr td
SE ni l
SUR vi l
SHEEK
SHORT LIVD
SEEZH
SEEV
SIM yoo lr
SI n KYUUR
si RAH
SO n rs
British speech
SPEE seez
SFI ri kl
SPON t NAY i tee
STA ts
STRENTH, STRINGKTH,
STRAYNGKTH
s SINGKT
s ME r lee
SOO pur FLOO s
SOO pur FLOO i tee
s POH zd
SHUR
SWAHTH
SWAHTH
SUR rp
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 76
Letter du Jou r: T
The letter T actually began as X! Ancient Egyptians used the symbol
about 300 BC, then the Semites took it, called it "taw"(which to them meant
"mark") and shifted it around so it looked like a plus or cross ( +) . When the
Greeks took over the letter, they moved the cross bar to the top of the vertical
stroke much like its present form. While it is 20th in the Alphabet, this is the
second most widely used letter in printed material. The smaller case version did
not develop until the CE 500s, went through various changes and finally reached
its present form in the 1500s.
In the relationship of spelling to sound, the letter T almost always
represents the sound [t]. The reverse is not as consistently true. The sound [t]
can be spelled ed in words like walked and missed, or spelled th in a few proper
names like Thomas, Theresa, Thailand, Thompson, and words like thyme. The t
with h spelling is alphabetically inferior to the way the Greeks do it. They have a
specific symbol called a "theta" (T). The th sound was alien to the Latin
speaking Romans, so they didn't include it in their 25-letter alphabet. Both
voiced [D] as in either and voiceless [T] th as in ether were spoken in Old English,
however, and the runic "thorn"
and the "edh"
were used interchangeably
to spell them. The Latin educated Norman scribes rejected these symbols and
used the th or, less frequently the y22. In Modern English th represents both the
voiced sound and the voiceless sound.
T is allegedly silent in tch-ending words like catch, fetch and itch (i.e., as
ch includes [t] when it spells [tS]). It has become mute also in the orally awkward
22Modern
misunderstanding of this spelling convention has resulted in confusing

readings of Shakespearean texts where ye can be the weak form of you, versus the word
the as in Ye Olde Sweete Shoppe. Ye for you should be pronounced [j]. Ye for the should
be pronounced [D, Di].
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 77
stl and tn consonant clusters in words like castle, nestle, thistle, jostle and
hustle, and in fasten, listen, often and soften.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 78
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiceless, lingua-alveolar, stop-plosive, consonant.

Table LdJ .45 Letter du J our - T
IPA
Symbol
[t]
[T]
th
[D]
th
talk, thyme, ptomaine (initial)

after, butter (medial)
hit, butt, light, doubt (final)
often (silent)
thing (initial)
athlete, Matthew (medial)
both (final)
this (initial)
bother (medial)
breathe (final)
[t]/t, as in TO TALITY
FORMATION: Tip of tongue lightly pressed against gum ridge behind the upper
teeth; sides of tongue touch side teeth; soft palate raised; air stopped; vocal
folds separated and do not vibrate. Air pressure builds behind tongue tip;
tongue is released quickly, and air explodes out of mouth.
This consonant functions three ways in English: unaspirated [t], aspirated [t],
and dentalized [ t1 ].
1. - When the sound is followed by a consonant it is "unaspirated", or has the
stop, but not the plosive quality. If you put in that aspiration, your speech will
sound affected, or over-pronounced. Do it both ways to hear the difference.
Practice on:
hits, heatstroke, pit bull, hot dog, football, notebook, fat free
a. - Hit lots of little cotton balls lightly, and correct your wrist position, or your golf
game won't be its best.
2. - When the unaspirated [t]/t is followed by [r]/r, be careful not to splash the
sound or change it to [tSr]/chr - so that "tree" becomes "chree".
Practice on:
trial, true, attract, betray, chartreuse, tremendous, trajectory

b. - Travel on the train to Trenton.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 79
c. - Trevor trilled twenty-two Italian trios.
Further, the situation is even more complex when [tr] is preceeded by [s]. Be
careful not to change it to [StSr]/shchr
d. Strength training should include instruction in stretching.
e. Striped vests with string fringes strike me as abstractly stylish.
3. - When the [t]/t at the end of a word, is followed by the same sound at the
start of the next word, don't make two sounds. Rather, hold your tongue in
place a bit longer, and give a slight burst of energy for the second [t]/t.
Practice on:
hit to, fat Tillie, last ticket, can't tell, spanked Tom, swiped ten
f. - Matt touched ten tent tops, testing to see if they were tied tightly.
4. - When the [t]/t is followed by a vowel sound, or silence, it is "aspirated", or

pops with a light rush of air like a small "H". Be careful not to turn this into
[ts]/ts.
In the following example the only difference between these pairs is that the first words will have
a slightly longer and more present "H".
Practice on:
bet her/better, kit he/kitty, shut her/shutter, pat her/patter

g. - You bet he'd better not touch the teeth on the "T" consonant.
h. - Tom took Peter to batting practice.
5. - When [t]/t is followed by [T]/th, or [D]/th, the sound is "dentalized", or made

with the tongue touching the top front teeth in anticipation of the "TH" sound23.
It is noted as [ t1 ]. This is a fairly natural action, and usually doesn't need to be
forced.
Practice on:
bet three, first Thursday, adjust things, ancient Thebes

g. - Hit the ball at the first throw.
h. - I hate that the bills are due on the fifth and twelfth
23The
same action happens when [n, d] are followed by [T, D] . We make note of it here,
because the issue of [t] articulation is more complex, and more likely to need this level of
detail.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 80
[T]/th, as in TH IN G, and [D]/ th , as in TH IS

FORMATION: Tip of tongue placed inter-dentally (between front teeth); air
moved between tongue tip and upper teeth in continuous stream; soft palate
raised, on [T]/th, vocal folds do not vibrate, for [D]/th, they do.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: This sound requires the tongue to reach so far
forward that some consonant combinations are challenging. Some dialects
substitute [f]/f for [T]/th, so "birthday" becomes "birfday", and [d]/d for [D]/th,
so that "this" shifts to "dis". These are a difficult sounds for non-native
speakers because they don't exist in most other languages. Foreign speakers will
tend to substitute [t]/t, or [s]/s for [T]/th, and [d]/d, or [z]/z for [D]/th.
Practice on:
[T]/th
tree/three, tick/thick, sin/thin, saw/thaw, tie/thigh, boat/both
a. - I think Theadora's thesis was thin and not thought through thoroughly.
b. - The anesthesiologist's ether throbbed in my throat.
Practice on:
[D]/th
Dan/than, dare/there, wiz/with, laze/lathe, seed/seethe
c. - Breathe rhythmically, and don't dither as you gather together.
d. - Mother loathes bathing and clothing teething babies.

1. Topeka, Topeka, Topeka
6. teases Terry's teary thesis theories
2. three tethered teething things
7. the thorn had torn through
3. Heather's hat has ten thousand
8. p b t d k g t d
[p b t d k g t d]
feathers
4. Sarah's rising sighs and

writhing thighs
9. sh zh th th s z th th
[S Z T D s z T D]
5. Strategy tragedy
Table LdJ .46 - T

Problem Word
temperature
tercel24
textile
the (before a consonant)
the (before a vowel)
theatre
thither
thoroughly
Thursday
timbre (sound)
timber (wood)
tiramisu
tortuous (twisted)
torturous (tormented)
tousled
transfer (v.)
transfer (n.)
trauma
traverse
tribunal
triumvirate
Tuesday
tumult
turgid
turret
tyrannical
24Tercel
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 81
Troublesome Words
"tEm.p.r.tS
"tEm.p.tS
TEM p r chr
TEM pr chr
"t.s:
t."sE:
TUR sl
tr SEL
"tEks.t:
"tEks.taI*
:
TEKS tl
TEKS ti l
D
reversal of
pronunciations
th
Di
th ee
"Ti..t
Ti."eI*.t
THEE tr
thee AY tr
"DI.D
"TI.D
TH I thr
THI thr
"T.r.l
"T.r.l
THU r lee
THUR r lee
"T.zd
"Tz.deI*
THURZ dee
THURZ day
"tm.b
"tIm.b
TAM br
TIM br
"tIm.b
---TIM br
ti.rA.mi."su
TEE rah mee SOO tI.rE."mi.su
TIH rE MEE soo
"tO*.tSu.s
"tO.*tS.rs
"tAU*z:d
trns."f
"trns.f
"trO.m
"tr.vs
traI*."bju.n:
traI*."m.v.rIt
"tjuz.d
"tju.m:t
"t.dZId
"t.rIt
tI."r.nI.k:
TOR choo s
TOR chr rs
TOW zld
trans FUR
TRANS fr
TRAW m
TRA vrs
tri BYOO nl
tri UHM v RIT
TYOOZ dee
TYOO mlt
TUR jid
TU rit
ti RA ni kl
reversal of
pronunciations
"tAU*s:d
improper
TOW sld
stressing
"trAU*.m
tr."vs
trI."bju.n:
traI*.m."vaI*.rIt
"tuz.deI*
"t.m:t
"t.gId
"t.rIt
taI*."r.nI.k:
TROW m
tr VURS
trI BYOO nl
TRI
m VI
TOOZ day
TU mlt
TUR gid
TUR rit
ti RA ni kl
rit
is a male peregrine falcon. The name of the car model is taken from this source.
Toyota may choose to pronounce it anyway they like.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 82
Letter du Jou r: U
Table LdJ .47 Letter du J our - U
IPA
Symbol
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
ee
i
e
a
o
aw
uu
oo
u
ur
UR
i
oi
ow
oh
or
uur
ahr
owr
yoo
w
i]
I]
E]
]
]
O]
U]
u]
]
]
]
, ]
aI* ]
OI* ]
aU* ]
oU* ]
O* ]
U* ]
a* ]
aU* ]
ju ]
w]
quay
build
guess
guarantee
hough, lough
caught, bought
could, vacuum
true, fruit, rude, soup, through
up, touch
upon
urbane
fur, furry
guy, guide
deutzia, Reuters, Freud
house, kraut
mauve, beau
four
tour, sure
guard
flour
feud, due, duke, beauty
guava
We will focus on [u]/oo, [U]/uu, and []/u.

[u]/u, as in PRUN E
FORMATION: Highest back vowel. Back of tongue raised, lips rounded and
forward, soft palate raised, vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Keep the sound distinct. Don't let it drift into the
nearby sounds of [U]/uu, as in COULD, or []/u, as in CUP.
Practice on:
hut/hook/hoot, cup/cook/kook, tuck/took/toucan, putt/put/pewter

stood/stooge, pull/pool, full/fool, hood/who'd, putsch/pooch
a. - Who's soup spoon was used to scoop the goo from the school's pool?
b. - Ruth rudely goosed Bruce as he removed his shoes.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 83
[U]/uu, as in PUT
FORMATION: Back of tongue high, lips moderately rounded, soft palate is
raised, vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: as this sound isn't in many other languages, foreign
speakers will often substitute [O]/aw, [oU*]/oh, or [u]/u, which are all close
sounds. Native speakers are most likely to shift [U]/uu to []/, by releasing the
lip roundness and not putting enough energy on the sound.
1. - When it is followed by [:]/l, be careful not to add an extra syllable, changing
wool [wU:]/wuul to ["wU:]/WUU-l.
Practice on:
pull, full, wool, bull, fulfill, wolf

a. - The good-looking snooker player hooked fully five balls off the cushion.
b. - Spinsterhood can be quite good, if it's fully understood.
c. - Don't use that bull to pull the wool over my eyes.
2. - Don't change the diphthong [U*] /uur to []/UR, or [O*] /or.

Practice on:
Table LdJ .48 [U*, O*, ] Comparison
[U*]/uur
[O*]/o r
[]/UR
[U*]/uur
[O*]/o r
[]/UR
boor/Boer
tour
spoor
poor
bore/boar
tore
spore
pore/pour
burr
turn
spurn
purple
Moor
sure
your
dour
more
shore
yore
door
Myrrh
shirt
yearn
dirt
d. - The demure and immature juror looked with curiosity at the lurid evidence
during the trial of the "Brooklyn Butcher".
e. - The furious epicure took a poorly planned tour of the bush country looking for
obscure rural cookbooks.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 84
[]/u, as in H UT
FORMATION: Tongue centered and relaxed, lips unrounded, soft palate raised,
vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Non-native speakers will often shift this sound to
[]/o, as in HOT. Southern regional dialects will sometimes alter it to []/UR, so
that HUT sounds like HURT (without the "R").
Practice on:
Table LdJ .49 [, , ]- Comparisons
[]/UR
[]/U
[]/o
[]/UR
[]/U
[]/o
sir
dirge
lurch
hurt
bird
supper
drudge
lunch
hut
bud
sop
dodge
lodge
hot
body
search
dirk
first
shirt
turn
suck
duck
fussed
shut
tumble
sock
dock
fond
shot
Tom
These word pairs will have the SA ME SOUNDS IN BOTH WORDS:

cut/courage, cup/curry, bum/burrowborough25, tub/turret, come/current,
mud/Murray, nut/nourish, fun/furrow, sun/surrey, hum/hurry, flub/flourish,
come/constable.
Practice sentences:
a. - Mother Courage had such a wonderful run in London.
b. - Consult the dull culturally refined adults about hushing up while studying.
c. - It takes courage to hurriedly gulp hot curry.
Table LdJ .50 Mispronounced - U
Problem Word
ultimatum
undertaking
(endeavor)
undertaking
UL ti MAY tm
:.tI."meI*.tm
n.d."teI*.kIN
UN dr TAY king
(mortician's profession)
"n.d.teI*k.IN
UN dr TAY king
usurp
ju."zp
yoo ZURP
25 Note
UL ti MAH tm
:.tI."mA.tm
reversal of
stressing
ju."sp
yoo SURP
the problematic similarity of: borrow ["b.roU*], burro ["bU.roU*], bureau ["bjE*.ro*], and
boroughburrowboro (suffix)Burrough(e)sBurrows ["b.roU*](z).
usury
"ju.Z.r
YOO zh ree
"ju.z.r
[eI*]
YOO z ree
to Z [zi]
page 85
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 86
Letter du Jou r: V
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiced, labio-dental, fricative continuant,
consonant.
Table LdJ .51 Letter du J our - V
IPA
Symbol
[v]
verse (initial)
over (medial)
love (final)
[v]/v, as in VALVE
FORMATION: Lower lip touches edge of upper teeth; soft palate raises; air
pushed out between lower lip and upper teeth in steady stream, vocal folds
vibrated.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: As with other voiced-fricative sounds, attention must
be placed on the sound in the final position to be sure it doesn't unvoice to
[f]/f. Many non-native speakers will unvoice this sound in all positions. Spanish
speakers will tend to confuse this sound with [B]26 or [b]/b. Europeans are prone
to [v]/v, [w]/w interchanges.
Practice on:
folly/volley, feel/veal, off/of, safe/save, leaf/leave, safes/saves

berry/very, buy/vie, bend/vend, cab/calve, lobes/loaves
wane/vein-vane, wow/vow, "y"/vie, wicker/vicar, weal/veal
a. - Very well, loaves of baked unleavened bread will be served with the Bavarian
veal.
b. - A bove every withered vine, bumblebees bobbed and weaved, buzzing about
with benevolent abandon.
26[B]
is a voiced bi-labial fricative. It sounds like a combination of "B" and "V".
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 87
DRILLS: Repeat each one several times rapidly and clearly

1. deliver shriveled devils
5. vibrantly verbal Bavarian
2. involved Volvo lovers
6. beveled vestibule
3. marvelous larvae
7. Vanna wooed a voodoo man
4. nervous Vern's weird red vest
8. alluvial bivalve
[f v S Z s z S Z]
Table LdJ .52 Mispronounced - V
Problem Word
vacuum
vagaries
"v.kjum
"v.g.rIz
VA kyoom
valet
vase
"v.kju.m
v."ge*.rIz,
"veI*.g.rIz
"v.lIt
veI*s
VA kyoo Em
v."leI*
vAz
va LAY
vaudeville
vegetable
vehicle
venereal
vendor
vertebrae
vice versa
victuals
visa
"voU*d.vI:
"vEdZ.t.b:
"vi.I.k:
v."nI.rI.:
"vEn.d
"v.t.bri
"vaI*.sI "v.s
"vI.t:z
"vi.z
VOHD vil
v GAIR reez
VAY g reez
VA lit
VA YS
acceptable for
VEJ t bl
VEE i kl
v NI ri l
VEN dr
VUR t bree
Vi si VUR s
VI tlz
VEE z
"vO.d.vI:
"vE.dZ.t.b:
"vi.hI.k:
v."nE.rI.:
"vEn.dO*
"v.t.breI*
"vaI*s "v.s
"vIk.tSu.:z
"vi.s
VA g reez
VOZ
British speech
VAWD VIL
VE j t bl
VEE hi kl
v NE ri l
VEN dor
VUR t bray
Vi S VUR s
VIK choo lz
VEE s
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 88
Letter du Jou r: W
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiced, bi-labial, glide (semi-vowel), continuant,
consonant.
Table LdJ .53 Letter du J our - W
IPA
Symbol
[w]
[]
hw
will (initial)
away (medial)
what (initial)
somewhere (medial)
[w]/w, as in WITC H , and []/hw, as in WH IC H

FORMATION: For [w]/w, lips slightly rounded and protruded; back of tongue
lifted, tip of tongue behind the lower front teeth, air flow sent between the lips
as they part, soft palate raised, vocal folds vibrate. This consonant must be
followed by a vowel sound. To form []/hw, the operation is almost the same
except unvoiced, so vocal folds are open and not vibrating. The action is like
blowing out a candle. It too, must be followed by a vowel sound.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Non-native speakers sometimes switch [v]/v for
[w]/w, or []/hw. Native speakers frequently fail to use the []/hw sound at all.
[]/hw will always be used when the word is spelled with "WH", except for:
whooping, who, whom, whose, whole, wholly, whore - those words use [h]/h.
Practice on:
Table LdJ .54
[, w, v, f]- Comparisons
[]/hw
[w]/w
[v]/v
[f]/f
[]/hw
[w]/w
[v]/v
[f]/f
wheel
wherry
whale
why
while
we'll
wary
wale
"Y"
wile
veal
very
veil
vie
vile
feel
ferry
fail
fie
file
whelp
whirred
whales
whine
where
wealth
word
Wales
wine
wear
veldt
averred
vales
vine
very
felt
furred
fails
fine
fair
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 89
a. - When white-wall wheels are worn in wet weather, they become somewhat the
worse for wear.
b. - Once or twice during the week we will work, otherwise we will wait, while
watching television.
c. - The squire acquiesced to the weird whims of his squawking wife because,
however wild her wishes, he could not ever bear to be without her.

1. whither which way
6. Willie's villa
2. wrong rung wringing
7. we'll wail at the whale
3. will you, William
8. wicked wicket victim
4. Willamette metalworkers
9. p b w hw p b r w
[p b w p b r w]
5. while her withers wither with her
Table LdJ .55 Mispronounced - W
Problem Word
"W"
wash
wastrel
Wednesday
werewolf
whoop(ing)
wisteria
with
wizened
wont
"d.b:.ju
wAS
"weI*s.tr:
"wEnz.d
"wI*.wU:f
hup
wI."stI.rI.
wID
"wI.znd
wOnt
woU*nt
"wUs.tId
"d.bj
wA*S
"wAs.tr:
"wEnz.deI*
"wE*.wU:f
up
wI."stE.rI. 27
wIT
"waI*.znd
wAnt
DUB y
failure to
distinguish
worsted
(s.) yarn, cloth
worsted
(v.) from worst
27This
"ws.tId
DU bl yoo
WA HSH
WAY strl
WENZ dee
WIR WUULF
HOOP
wi STI ri
WI TH
WI znd
WA WNT
WOHNT
WUUS tid
WA RSH
WAH strl
WENZ day
WER WUULF
HWOOP
wi STE ri
WITH
Wi
znd
WA HNT
WURS tid
pronunciation is correct for the spelling wistaria, which may have been the
original intention, since the shrub is named after Caspar Wistar. However, it is not in
common use.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 90
Letter du Jou r: X
Table LdJ .56 Letter du J our - X
IPA
Symbol
[
[
[
[
[
gz
ks
ksh
z
s
gz ]
ks ]
kS ]
z]
s]
exist
excuse
luxury
xylophone
xi (Greek letter, [saI*])
No phonetic sounds will be specifically assigned to this letter.

Table LdJ .57 Mispronounced - X
Problem Word
Xanthippe
zn."tI.p
zan TI pee
zn."TI.p
acceptable for
zan THI pee

British speech
Xavier
"zeI*v.j
ZAYV yr
Ig."zeI*v.j
ig ZAYV yr
ZE n FOH bi
zi.n."foU*.bI.
ZEE n FOH bi
(hA.vi."Er Spanish)
xenophobia
zE.n."foU*.bI.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 91
Letter du Jou r: Y
Table LdJ .58 Letter du J our - Y
IPA
Symbol
[j]
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
ee
ee
i
ur
UR
ay
i
oi
air
i]
]
I]
]
]
eI* ]
aI* ]
OI* ]
E* ]
you (initial)
canyon (medial)
quay
easy
myth
martyr
myrtle, myrrh
pray, prey
eye, aye, buy, by, "Y"
boy, buoyant
A yr, Eyre, they're
We will focus on "Y" as it is used in []/ee, and [j]/y.

[]/ee, as in EASY
FORMATION: Front of tongue lifted high toward front palate, tongue tense, jaw
almost shut, lips spread, soft palate raised, vocal folds vibrate. Compare this to
the close sounds of [i]/ee in the first syllable of EASY ["iz], and [I]/i in the first
syllable of SILLY ["sIl].
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Only found on unstressed syllables, typically "y", and
"ie" spelled endings of words, and the "day" endings for the days of the week
(Monday, Tuesday, etc.). Avoid stressing the sound, or lifting it up to [i]/ee.
Practice these words; the first vowel will be [i], the second, []:
easy, beastly, meaty, needy, Petey, seamy, Erie, dearie, dreamy
Practice these words; the first vowel will be [I], the second, []:
pretty, hippie, silly, Billy, hilly, misty, giddy, ability, piggy, pity
Sentences:
a. - The ability of the pretty filly to run easily on a muddy track, makes her a fairly
safe bet for Monday's race.
b. - Fifty very tiny lilies grew peacefully in the cemetery.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 92
[j]/y , as in Y O U
FORMATION: Lips slightly widened, jaw relaxed open, front of tongue raised to
front of palate, air stream directed over tongue, vocal folds vibrate. This
consonant must be followed by a vowel sound.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: This sound poses few problems in common words
like "beauty", "argue", and "fuel". However,
1. - When preceded by [d]/d, it is sometimes incorrectly shifted to [dZ]/j ("did
you" becomes "di-joo").
Practice on:
did you, would you, could you, had you, good year, heard you
2. - When preceded by [t]/t it can shift to [tS]/ch ("don't you" becomes "dohnchoo"), or [t]/t can shift to a glottal stop [/] ("don't you" becomes [doU*/ ju]).
Practice on:
3. -
can't you, won't you, don't you, hit you, trust you, must you
When preceded by [s]/s it might shift to [S]/sh ("kiss you" becomes "ki-
shoo").
Practice on:
kiss you, miss you, force you, pass you, toss you, curse you
4. - When preceded by [z]/z, it can shift to [Z]/zh ("as you" becomes "a-zhoo").
Practice on:
as you, please you, tease you, has uses, his yell, was young, is yet
5. - When preceded by [:]/l, it can shift to [:]/l,
or [oU*]/oh ("will you" becomes
"wioh you").
Practice on: will you, tell you, brilliant, peculiar, Italian, kill you, will yell
6. -General American dialect frequently omits the [j]/y altogether. For Elevated
Speech, this sound is commonly called the "Liquid U". It usually is found when
the letter "U" is preceded by: t, d, th or n, and is optional following: l and s.
Practice on:
butte/tutor, view/stew, abuse/obtuse, Cuba/tuba, humor/tumor

beauty/duty, puke/duke, fuse/dues, imbue/adieu, few/dew
Matthew/enthuse, impugn/Bethune, both you/Thucydides
mew/new, muse/news, amuse/renews, computer/neuter
miss you/sue, muse/sues, mute/suit, permute/hirsute

abusive/elusive, mute/lute, cued/lewd, cube/lubricate
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 93
Sentences:
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 94
a. - The resolute suitor was a nuisance as he serenaded her enthusiastically on his
new tuba.
b. - The superbly dutiful new Lieutenant knew that the superintendent's
attitude was suicidal, but assumed his behavior would continue as usual.
c. - Bruce wanted to re-do the new room in unusual hues, with nuances of puce
and fuchsia, because it suited his humor.
DRILLS: repeat each rapidly and clearly:

1. peculiarly brilliant Italian stallion
5. curiously obscure procurer
2. did you, would you, could you
6. enthusiastic Thucydides
3. don't you, won't you, can't, you
7. unique New York
4. new venue's revenue
8. excuse the askew skewers
Table LdJ .59 Mispronounced - Y

Problem Word
yarmulke
ye
"jA*.m:.k
D, Di 28
"jA.m.k
ji
YAH m k
joU:k
j
YOHLK
(article, meaning the)
ye
(archaic form of you)
yolk
your
28[
j , ji
joU*k
jU*
YAHR ml k
TH ,TH EE
YEE
Y ,YEE
YOHK
YUUR
YUR
D] is used when the next sound is a consonant. [ Di ] or [ DI ]is used when the next
sound is a vowel, or for unusual stress.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 95
Letter du Jou r: Z
D ESC RIPTIO N : (typically) voiced lingua-alveolar fricative continuant
consonant.
Table LdJ .60 Letter du J our - Z
IPA
Symbol
[z]
[Z]
zh
[ ts ]
ts
zoom (initial)
dazzle, sizes (medial)
buzz, recognize (final)
Zsa Zsa (initial)
azure (medial)
Zeitgeist (initial)
pizza (medial)
We will focus on [z]/z, and [Z]/zh.

[z]/z , as in ZO N ES
FORMATION: Blade of tongue slightly grooved, or channeled, and raised toward
alveolar ridge; sides of tongue sealed against side teeth; air passes between
tongue and alveolar ridge in continuous flow; teeth close together, but not
closed; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: "Z" is the voiced partner of the unvoiced "S", so all
the sibilant issues are present with both sounds (see page__, under letter S).
Additionally, guard against the tendency to unvoice [z]/z at the ends of words.
Practice on:
as, because, was, is, news, size, seizes, buzzes, daisies, businesses
cease/seize, seal/zeal, bus/buzz, sip/zip, sue/zoo, noose/news
a. - Girls are mere playthings to those boys whose looks send chills down the backs
of co-eds.
b. - Studying the zoology of buzzards is an unpleasant and sometimes hazardous
business.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 96
[Z]/z h, as in AZURE
FORMATION: Blade of tongue slightly grooved or channeled, and raised with
sides of tongue sealed against side teeth, tongue tip pointed downward; air
passes between tongue blade and front of hard palate in continuous stream; lips
slightly protruded; soft palate raised; vocal folds vibrate.
ARTICULATION PROBLEMS: Be sure to fully voice this sound, especially in final
positions.
Practice on:
grey shirt/grazier, glacier/glazier, sea shore/seizure, ashen/azure

a. - The Persian's unusual exposure to the sun's rays caused a mirage which gave
him much pleasure as the delusion was a vision of Zsa Zsa in a luxurious beige
neglige.
b. - For purposes of persuasion, some resort to rouge, others to massage, and some
to exposure.
DRILLS: Repeat each several times rapidly and clearly

1. Gigi seizes Genet
5. glazier's glacier, grazier's glacier
2. measure regimes
6. Parisian's pleasurable persuasions
3. usual casual users of userers
7. sh zh th th s z th th
[S Z T D s z T D]
[f v S Z s z S Z]
8. sh zh ch j s z ch j
[S Z tS dZ s z tS dZ]
Table LdJ .61 Mispronounced - Z
Problem Word
zealot
Zeus
zoology
zoological
zoologist
"zE.lt
zjus
zoU*.".l.dZ
ZE lEt
ZEE laht
zoh O l jee
"zi.lAt
zus
zu.".l.dZ
zoU*.."l.dZI.k:
zoh LO ji kl
zu.."l.dZI.k:
zoo LO ji kl
zoU*.".l.dZIst
zoh O l jist
zu.".l.dZIst
zoo O l jist
ZYOOS
ZOOS
zoo O l jee
zounds29
29A n
zundz
zAU*ndz
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 97
ZOONDZ
ZOUNDZ
archaic contraction for the oath by God's wounds. This justifies the common
theatrical pronunciation of [zundz]. In that context [zAU*ndz] would seem to be a
misinformed "spelling pronunciation". However, in the 16th and 17th centuries, when
this expression was in use, the word wound was pronounced [waU*nd], not [wund] as we do
today. Some scholars feel that since it is an archaic term, not a modern one, we should
preserve its original pronunciation, and not up-date it.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 98
WORDS THAT CHANG E WI TH USE

Many words shift syllable stress and pronunciation to indicate different
meanings or function in a sentence. For example: Her perfume perfumes the
air; or, You mustn't discount already disco unted sale items.
Here is a partial list of words that change pronunciation when they change
function:
Table LdJ 62 Words that Change With Use
accent (n.)
accent (v.)
bouquet (flowers)
bouquet (aroma)
complex (adj. complicated)
complex (n. group)
conjure (charge solemnly)
conjure (invoke a spirit)
console (n.)
console (v.)
consummate (adj.)
consummate (v.)
contemplative
contemplative
(pensive)
(of religious orders)
content (what is contained)

content (well-being)
contest (s.)
contest (v.)
contract (s.)
contract (v.)
contrast (s.)
contrast (v.)
control (s., v.)
control (in machinery)
convert (s.)
convert (v.)
convict (s.)
convict (v.)
[ "k.sEnt ]
[ k."sEnt ]
[ bu."keI* ]
[ boU*."keI* ]
[ km."plEks]
[ "km.plEks]
[ kn."dZU* ]
[ "kn.dZ ]
[ "kn.soU*: ]
[ kn."soU*: ]
[ kn."smIt ]
[ "kn.sjU.meI*t ]
[ "kn.tEm.pleI*.tIv ]
[ kn."tEm.pl.tIv ]
[ "kn.tEnt ]
[ kn."tEnt ]
[ "kn.tEst ]
[ kn."tEst ]
[ "kn.trkt ]
[ kn."trkt ]
[ "kn.trst ]
[ kn."trst ]
[ kn."troU*: ]
[ "kn.troU*: ]
[ "kn.vt ]
[ kn."vt ]
[ "kn.vIkt ]
Ak sent
ak SEN T
boo KAY
boh KAY
km PLEKS
KO M pleks
kn J UUR
KUN jr
KO N sohl
kn SO H L
kn SU mit
KO N syuu MAYT
KO N tm PLAY tiv
kn TEM pl TIV
KO N tent
kn TEN T
KO N test
kn TEST
KO N trakt
kn TRAKT
KO N trast
kn TRAST
kn TRO H L
KO N trohl
KO N vurt
kn VURT
KO N vikt
kn VIKT
decoy (s.)
decoy (v.)
decrease (s.)
decrease (v.)
defect (s.)
defect (v.)
desert (deserved, abandon)
desert ( wilderness)
detail (item)
detail (squad, to catalogue)
discard (s.)
discard (v.)
discord (s.)
discord (v.)
discount (s.)
discount (v.)
discourse (s.)
discourse (v.)
entrance (s.)
entrance (v.)
expatriate (s., adj.)
expatriate (v.)
expert (s., adj.)
expert (when not attributive)
forte (in music)
forte (strong point)
frequent (adj.)
frequent (v.)
gill (respiratory organ, ravine)
gill (measure)
Gill (man's name)
Gill (short for Gillian)
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
kn."vIkt ]
"di.kOI* ]
dI."kOI* ]
"di.kris ]
dI."kris ]
"di.fEkt ]
dI."fEkt ]
dI."zt ]
"dE.zt ]
dI."teI*: ]
"di.teI*: ]
"dIs.kA*d ]
dIs."kA*d ]
"dIs.kO*d ]
dIs."kO*d ]
"dIs.kAU*nt ]
dIs."kAU*nt ]
"dIs.kO*s ]
dIs."kO*s ]
"En.trns ]
In."trns ]
Eks."peI*.trI.t ]
Eks."peI*.trI.eI*t ]
"Ek.spt ]
Ik."spt ]
"fO*.teI* ]
"fO*t ]
"fri.kwEnt ]
frI."kwEnt ]
gI: ]
dZI: ]
gI: ]
dZI: ](as in Jack and Gill, now
D EE koi
di KO I
D EE krees
di KREES
D EE fekt
di FEKT
di ZURT
D E zrt
di TAY L
D EE tayl
D IS kahrd
dis KAH RD
D IS kord
dis KO RD
D IS kownt
dis KO WN T
D IS kors
dis KO RS
EN trns
in TRAN S
eks PAY tri t
eks PAY tri AYT
EKS prt
ik SPURT
FO R tay
FORT
FREE kwnt
fri KWEN T
GIL
JIL
GIL
JIL
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
"In.kris ]
In."kris ]
"In.st ]
In."st ]
maI*."njut ]
"mI.nIt ]
"b.dZEkt ]
IN krees
in KREES
IN srt
in SURT
mi N Y O O T
M I nit
O B jekt
more frequently written Jack and Jill.)
increase (s.)
increase (v.)
insert (s.)
insert (v.)
minute (very small)
minute (time, angle, memo)
object (s.)
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 99
object (v.)
perfect (s., adj.)
perfect (v.)
perfume (s.)
perfume (v.)
permit (s.)
permit (v.)
primer (he, who, or that which primes)
primer (elementary book, printing type)
protest (s.)
protest (v.)
rebel (s.)
rebel (v.)
reject (s.)
reject (v.)
research (s.)
research (v.)
subject (s.)
subject (v.)
survey (s.)
survey (v.)
torment (s.)
torment (v.)
toward (adj.)
toward (prep.)
transfer (s.)
transfer (v.)
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
[
b."dZEkt ]
"p.fIkt ]
p."fEkt ]
"p.fjum ]
p."fjum ]
"p.mIt ]
p."mIt ]
"praI*.m ]
"prI.m ]
"proU.*tEst ]
pr."tEst ]
"rE.b: ]
rI."bE: ]
"ri.dZEkt ]
rI."dZEkt ]
"ri.stS ]
rI."stS ]
"sb.dZEkt ]
sb."dZEkt ]
"s.veI* ]
s."veI* ]
"tO*.mEnt ]
tO*."mEnt ]
"toU*.d ]
t."wO*d ]
"trns.f ]
trns."f ]
b J EKT
PUR fikt
pr FEKT
PUR fyoom
pr FY O O M
PUR mit
pr M IT
PRi mr
PRI mr
PRO H test
pr TEST
RE bl
ri B EL
REE jekt
ri J EKT
REE srch
ri SURC H
SUB jekt
sb J EKT
SUR vay
sr VAY
TO R ment
tor M EN T
TO H rd
t WO RD
TRAN S fr
trans FUR
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 100
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 101
G LOSSARY FOR LE TTE R DU JOUR

Accent - Pronunciation and style characteristic of a foreign language speaker.
Adenoids - Lymphoid tissue growths in the nose above the throat that when swollen may
obstruct nasal breathing, induce postnasal discharge, and make speech difficult.
Blurred - Unclear speech sounds blended together; lacking specificity and clarity.
Bright - Placed forward in the mouth.
Clear - Precise, forward placed.
Dark - Mellow tone, placed back in the mouth.
Double Dark L - [ : ], L sound made without touching the tongue upwards to the alveolar
ridge, but by dropping the back of the tongue and rounding the lips.
Deviated Septum - When the thin partition between the two sides of the nose shifts to
block the nasal passage. It can be the result of an injury, or abnormal growth.
Hard - Tense, retroflexed.
Interdental - Between the teeth.
Lax - So relaxed as to be slurred, or lack clarity and precision.
Liquid U - The combination of [j]/y and the vowel [u]/oo, as in DUKE [djuk]/dyook and
sometimes in combination with the vowel [U]/uu as in DURING ["djU*rIN]/DYUUring.
Lisp (Lateral, Frontal) - A speech defect or mannerism characterized by the failure to
produce normal sibilants, especially by thrusting the tongue forward, substituting the
sounds (th) and (th) for the sibilants (s) and (z) in a frontal lisp. Lateral lisp releases the
side of the tongue.
Murky - Indistinct, lacking clarity of tone or precision in articulation.
Nasal - 1) Uttered by lowering the soft palate and occluding the mouth so that most of
the air passes through the nose, as in sounding m, n, and [N]/ng. 2) Characterized by or
resembling a resonant sound produced through the nose: a nasal whine.
[eI*]
to Z [zi]
page 102
Off-Glide - Falling diphthong where the second element is weaker than the first. A lso
releasing sound after a final terminal consonant: DID as [dId].
On-Glide - Non-standard diphthong where a primary vowel is initiated by a weak vowel,
typically []: DEED as [d*id].
Retroflexed - Pronounced with the tip of the tongue turned back against the roof of the
mouth.
Round - Balanced, pleasing tone.
Sibilant - A speech sound, as [s]/s, [S]/sh, [z]/z, or [Z]/zh, that suggests hissing.
Substitution - Replacement of one sound with another as: MEN [mEn]/MEN to [mIn]/MIN
Tense - Constricted, harsh sound produced when the articulators are clenched or held
tightly.

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A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

LETTERS du JOUR - Workshop

Rocco Dal Vera

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

PRONUNCIATION AUTHORITIES CONSULTED ......................................................................................................................3

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

LETTERS du JOUR - Workshop

Some pronunciations in the following section may strike you as so

PRO N UN C IATIO N AUTH O RITIES C O N SULTED

The Oxford English

The Oxford A merican

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

Funk & Wagnalls New

The A merican Heritage

Webster's Ninth New

Webster's New Twentieth

Webster's New World

Webster's II New Riverside

The New York Times

The Random House

There is No Zoo in Zoology,

Note that charts refer to PREFERRED or STANDARD (the most elevated or

The following workshop section has two primary goals:

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

1. to provide the tools for you to adjust toward a neutral, non-regional

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

LETTERS D U J O UR - O N E LETTER AT A TIM E.

D ESC RIPTIO N : categories the sound falls into, such as voiced/unvoiced,

Ways to Pron. Example

Here you will see the many different sounds the

Pronunciations are transcribed in phonetics as well as respelled so you can use

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

1) Start at the beginning and work your way through A- to - Z, spending a

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

Guide To Sounds By Category

Letter du Jour - GUIDE TO FINDING SOUNDS BY CATEGORY

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

WAYS THE SOUND APPEARS IN WORDS,

b e , see , recei ve, b ea k, peo ple, key -q uay , machi ne,

i t, my th, gui lt, bu sy, take n, i ma ge, wo me n, captai n,

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

hire -higher , b yre -b uyer , dire -dyer , lyre -liar

ch icken, c ello, wretch ed, nat ure

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH LETTER du JOUR

1.Make a list of your most frequently received pronunciation notes.

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

plan which areas to concentrate on.

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

Respelling Examples of words and their various spellings

We will focus on []/a, [A]/ah, [O]/aw, and [eI*]/ay.

Nancy, imagine, natty, man, band, dandy

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

a. - Daniel can't stand canned Spam.

band/bank, sand/sank, planned/plank

arid, parry, barrier, marry, Barry, character, mariner

suave, alms, hurrah, Milan, lava, barrage, lager, saga

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

b. - Hurrah! Brahms and Mahler in concert at Baden Baden!

2. - [O]/aw changing to [U*]/uu. This substitution is particularly common on the

bawdy, caution, vault, hawk, talk, thought, stalk

A Workshop - Pronunciation from A

aid, weigh, train, name, survey, gauge, plague