Speak English like a North American: 4 Pronunciation Rules for the Letter T | Summary and Q&A
TL;DR
Learn how to improve your English accent by understanding the different ways the "t" sound is pronounced in American and Canadian English.
Key Insights
- 👂 Different accents can lead to variations in the pronunciation of the "t" sound, with Americans and Canadians often pronouncing it as "d" or skipping it altogether.
- 👂 The pronunciation of "t" as "d" is common between two vowel sounds, with "l" or "r" sounds, and after an "n."
- ❤️🩹 Skipping the "t" sound occurs when it is at the end of a word or follows an "n."
Transcript
Hi. My name's Ronnie, and I have a bottle of water. What? So, sometimes when I go to a restaurant and I order water, people don't understand me. I'm in Canada, I'm speaking English, and I said: "Water", and they look at me strange. And I go: -"Oh, you know? Water?" -"Oh, water. Yes, water." -"No, no. It's water." It's a t, right? W-a-t-e-r. This, i... Read More
Questions & Answers
Q: Why do some Canadians and Americans pronounce "t" as "d"?
The pronunciation of "t" as "d" in certain cases, like between two vowel sounds, is a characteristic of American and Canadian English accents. This can lead to words like "water" being pronounced as "wader" and "ability" as "abilidy."
Q: Why do Americans and Canadians sometimes skip the "t" sound altogether?
Skipping the "t" sound is a common feature in these accents. For example, words like "dirty" become "dirdy," "mountain" becomes "mou'in," and "better" becomes "bedder."
Q: What is the reason for not pronouncing "t" after an "n"?
After an "n," the "t" sound is not pronounced in English. This results in words like "international" being pronounced as "in'ernational" and "want" as "wan'ed."
Q: Are there any other instances where the "t" sound is not pronounced?
Yes, words that end with a "t" in English are pronounced without the "t" sound. Examples include "hot" pronounced as "ho'," "mat" as "ma'," and "rat" as "ra'."
Summary & Key Takeaways
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The speaker, Ronnie, discusses how the pronunciation of the "t" sound can vary in American and Canadian English.
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They explain four rules to follow when pronouncing the "t" sound, including between vowel sounds, with "l" or "r" sounds, after an "n," and at the end of words.
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Ronnie emphasizes that mastering the pronunciation of the "t" sound can help improve English accents.