Podcast: Subscribe: | | An interesting pronunciation issue that native Arabic speakers in particular have is the difficulty distinguishing the [p] and the [b] sounds when speaking English. To a native English speaker, these sounds are  very different. Note that native Arabic speaking students don’t seem to have a problem hearing the difference between the two sounds or saying the two sounds differently when done intentionally. (This isn’t always the case, such as with ). [p] vs. [b] [p] and [b] are said with the same exact mouth position — the lips press together and then a puff of air is released. [p] as in “pet’ [b] as in “boy” The only difference between the two sounds, then, comes from the vibration in the vocal chords. Practice Step 1) Put your fingertips on the front of your throat, and say the sound [p]. What do you feel?  [p] Step 2) Keep your fingertips on the front of your throat, and now say the sound [b]. Does this feel different? [b]   [p] is a voiceless sound with novibration in the vocal chords. [p] – You should NOT feel any vibration when you say [p] [b] is a voiced sound, with vibration in the vocal chords. [b] –You should feel vibration in the vocal chords when you say [b]. Do you feel the difference? Repeat the sounds. [p] [b] [p] [b] Notice that the mouth position is the same for both sounds. So the vibration — or the lack of vibration — in the vocal chords make all the difference between [p] and [b]. (A note for all my students before we practice: if [p] and [b] are easy sounds for you, just practice the ,  and , as well as  and , in the following words.) Listen and Repeat (US English) “people” [PiY  pəl] “pepper” [PɛP  pər] “pebble” [Pɛ  bəl] “public” [Pʌ  blɪk] “potato” [pə  TeY  dow] “butter” [Bʌ  dər] “beeper” [BiY  pər] “back” [BÆK] “baking” [BeY  kIng] “helicopter” [Hɛ  lə  kɑp  tər] “duped” [DUWPT] “debit” [Dɛ  bɪt] “prohibit” [prə  Hɪ  bIt]   Listen and Repeat (UK/British English) “people” [PiY  pəl] “pepper” [PɛP  pər] “pebble”[Pɛ bəl] "Public" Pʌ blɪk] "potato" pə TeY Dow] "butter" Bʌ dər] "beeper" BiY pər] "Back" BÆK] "baking" BeY King "helicopter" Hɛ lə kɑp tər] "duped" DUWPT] "debit" Dɛ bɪt] "prohibit" [prə Hɪ bit] How to Improve your pronunciation of [p] and [b] Students who tend to mix up the two sounds, [ p] and [b], in particular Native Arabic speakers, should practice being extremely conscious of these sounds when Speaking. Consciousness can come from Paying close attention to these sounds and intentionally practicing them repeatedly. The more you practice on purpose and become aware of your Speech, the more you can self-monitor, and the more the Correct pronunciation of words can occur naturally. (You can learn more Strategies in the lesson called. As always, post your questions and comments below. And if this lesson was helpful to you, feel free to share it with friends and family on and. ElementalEnglish.com is your resource for free English Language and pronunciationlessons, no material オ nn LITE nn English textbooks, free online English course, free online English courses, मुफ़्त ऑनलाइन अंग्रेज़ी, آنلائن مفت میں انگریزی سیکھئے, Kostenloser Englisch-Unterricht Online, Język angielski online, American English pronunciation, ア メ ri pronounce ka English の Requested Procedure sound, pure American English, . pure American English pronunciation, अमरीकी अंग्रेज़ी, امریکی انگریزی کا تلفظ سیکھئے, Amerikanisches Englisch Aussprache, wymowa język angielski Podcast: Subscribe: | |