Category: Accent Modification

Accent Modification: The /v/ Sound The /v/ sound in English may seem simple, but it causes difficulty for many learners whose first language is not English. Clear pronunciation of /v/ is important because it can change meaning and affect how easily you are understood. Words like very, leave, and voice rely on this sound, and confusing …

The Importance of Intonation in English Pronunciation Intonation—the rise and fall of pitch in speech—is one of the most powerful yet overlooked elements of English pronunciation. While learners often focus on individual sounds or stress, intonation plays a major role in conveying attitude, emotion, and intent. The same sentence can sound polite, irritated, uncertain, enthusiastic, or …

English Rhythm: The Pattern of Stressed and Unstressed Syllables Rhythm is one of the most defining features of English pronunciation. Unlike many languages that place nearly equal weight on each syllable, English is a stress-timed language. This means the rhythm is built around a regular beat of stressed syllables, while the unstressed syllables “fit in” between …

Connected Speech in English:  Consonant-to-Vowel linking One of the biggest challenges for English learners is discovering that native speakers often do not pronounce words the way they look in a dictionary. Instead, English uses connected speech—a set of habits that smooth out speech, reduce effort, and help conversations flow more quickly. One of the most common …

Mastering the /r/ Sound in North American English: A Step-by-Step Guide For many learners of English, the /r/ sound in North American speech is one of the most challenging to master. Unlike other languages where /r/ might be rolled, tapped, or trilled, North American English uses a rhotic /r/. Rhoticity simply means that the /r/ is …