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How to distinguish the pronunciation of the vowels

General English Grammar & Vocabulary,... » English Audio: Speech & Pronunciation

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Latest post Mon, Aug 4 2008 11:11 AM by Mister Micawber. 1 replies.
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mathewzhao  +  550580 Mon, 04 Aug 08 07:59 AM
I always can't distinguish the pronunciation of some vowels in words,as follows:
   apple(vowel 'a' ),egg(vowel 'e'),by(vowel 'y'),

and feel the pronunciation of the three vowels are NOT different!

I have tried to distinguish them ,and have listened many Mp3 about the vowels ,but I got nothing!
could someone give me a hand?
Thanks!
mathewzhao
Joined on Mon, Jul 28 2008
New Member 02
,
Mister Micawber  +  550638 Mon, 04 Aug 08 11:11 AM
.
You have a problem, but I can suggest little more than practice and concentration; I presume you have a tutor or teacher or acquaintance who can listen to and advise you.  I hadn't noticed that Chinese students have much trouble with vowel sounds before-- I thought the consonants were more difficult.

While there are plenty of regional variations in English pronunciation, the pronunciation of e.g. the /e/ in egg is usually similar enough to elude the sensitivities of a learner.  Practice saying and listening to (pronunciations are available at MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE, for example) lots and lots of simple words with those vowel sounds:

apple, cram, fat, hat, rat, sat and bat, etc.

egg, eft, end, bend, send, fend, rend, et cetera.

by, sigh, guy, rye, die, fry, sky, etc.
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,760
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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