SELL vs. SALE | American English pronounciation | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn the difference between the vowel pair "sell" and "sale" and how to pronounce them correctly.

Key Insights

• 🔇 Some speakers lack the "a" sound in their native language, making it difficult to distinguish between "sell" and "sale".
• 👂 The "e" in "sell" is a continuous sound, while the "a" in "sale" involves a shift in tongue position, creating a different vowel sound.
• 👂 Adding a "y" sound at the end of "sale" can help with pronouncing the correct sound.
• 👶 It is normal for the new pronunciation to feel forced initially, but with practice, it will become more natural.
• 💄 Making a clear distinction between "sell" and "sale" is crucial for accurate communication.
• 🤩 Practice is key to mastering the correct pronunciation of the vowel pair.
• ✳️ It is better to overemphasize the distinction at first rather than risk being misunderstood.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why do some speakers have trouble differentiating between "sell" and "sale"?

Some speakers may not have the vowel sound "a" in their native language, leading to a tendency to pronounce it as a neutral "a" sound.

Q: How can I pronounce "sale" correctly?

Think of adding a "y" sound at the end, so it becomes "s-ey-l," helping to close the jaw and push the tongue forward.

Q: Is it normal for the pronunciation to feel forced at first?

Yes, it's common for any new pronunciation to feel artificial initially, but with practice, it will become more natural.

Q: Why is making a clear distinction between "sell" and "sale" important?

Clear distinction avoids confusion and ensures accurate communication. Over time, the forced pronunciation will become more natural.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Some speakers struggle with distinguishing between the vowel sounds in words like "sell" and "sale".

• The "e" in "sell" is a clean, continuous sound, while the "a" in "sale" involves a shift in tongue and mouth position.

• Adding a "y" sound at the end of "sale" can help with pronouncing the correct tongue and jaw position.