Another week, another episode of Everyday English with E2! Each week we focus on English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling. This week we are practising our pronunciation to sound more like an English native speaker.
Remember: If you need extra practice with your English grammar you can do this by going to www.e2english.com
Transcript
Hi there, it’s Louisa here. Welcome to Everyday English with E2. Each week, we focus on English grammar, vocabulary, spelling or pronunciation. This week we’re focusing on a super important part of pronunciation that is part of ‘linking or connected speech’. It’s called ‘intrusion’
In a previous episode about pronunciation, we talked about linking, and how it allows you to speak slower or fast and maintain intelligibility. Intrusion is part of this. Sometimes, when certain words are linked together, some extra sounds appear. Today, we’re going to focus on what this sounds like.
But before we understand intrusion, let me quickly remind you that you can take awesome English pronunciation courses at www.e2english.com. Sign up for free now!
Okay, so what is intrusion? Well the easiest way to to explain this is by getting you to listen to this short phrase. I’m going to say it, however, in three different ways by changing the link. Ready? Tell me which one you think is correct:
- The // other // day
- The-other day
- The-y-other day
One more time:
- The // other // day
- The-other day
- The-y-other day
There are two correct answers:
Both B and C are correct.
You all probably felt that A was a bit awkward. ‘The other day’ has two awkward pauses. And if I keep talking with a small pause in each word, it can be really hard to understand.
B is generally fine as well. In a speaking test, it would be fine.
But C is where we get the pronunciation phenomenon, ‘intrusion’, which means a sound has appeared that… isn’t there in the spelling. Let’s hear that again:
- The other day x2
Ok. Let’s look a little closer at intrusion.
When you have intrusion between two vowels sometimes you get a /y/ sound or /yuh/ usually after an A, I, or E sound.
Listen carefully to this:
- The other
- I am
- We are
- He is
- She ate it
- May I
- I ordered
Let’s listen again. First I’m going to say it slowly. Then I will say it with intrusion. So if you want to practise with me, DON’T repeat the slow one. Repeat the second one with me:
(say once slowly, then twice with intrusion)
- The other
- I am
- We are
- He is
- She ate it
- May I
- I ordered
And sometimes there is a /w/ sound or /wuh/ after an /oh/ or /oo/ sound
- Go on
- So amazing
- You and me
- To us
- So ordinary
Let’s practise! I will first say the words individually, then with intrusion. Imitate me after I use intrusion. (say once slowly, then twice with intrusion)
- Go on
- So amazing
- You and me
- To us
- So ordinary
Being able to LINK words will allow you to speak faster AND slower and maintain intelligibility. And intrusion is a very important part of this. So if I talk really fast I can still speak clearly and with specific meaning. But if I talk a bit slower, you can still understand me. And in both of these cases, my pronunciation remains clear. On an English test, I can speak both slowly and thoughtfully like this, or fast like this with energy and excitement, and get the same score in terms of pronunciation.
So relax. Don’t think that you have to speak FAST in English. There’s nothing wrong with slowing down and letting the words link nicely: “the other day, we ate. And now, I owe you a lot of money.”
Now of course, if you’re an English beginner then that’s fine, don’t worry about this too much. but if you’ve been learning English for a while, or maybe you’ve got a test or a presentation coming soon, then intrusion may help you express your ideas more clearly and confidently.
So, how do you improve your intrusion? Well, you listen, you pay attention to how people link words together, and then you practise it when you speak! It’s that easy; and it’s that hard. Be sure to pay extra attention to this when listening to the radio or watching TV. You might improve your intrusion in a few days, but you’ll definitely improve it in a few weeks and absolutely in a few months.
But most importantly, don’t stress too much about it. Whenever you’re speaking or listening, you should always be focused on the information that is being communicated. And have fun. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but with a little practice, it will get better.
Remember, if you’re looking for a place to practise your English pronunciation AND have fun, then check out E2 English’s pronunciation courses by going to www.e2english.com. These courses will take you through all of the individual and cluster sounds of English so that you sound perfectly natural when you speak English. Check them out today!
Just before we move on and do some practice, I just want to make you aware of another really important reason why you need to practise linking. Listen to these chunks. These are common expressions you might hear on TV, or use with a new English speaking friend!
- We are not going. Leave a few seconds for the SS to listen and repeat
- You are not going.
- she is the best.
- He ate it for lunch.
- I owe you a dollar.
- I always do.
- You are so amazing.
- Do it!
- I always
- Go away.
Alright. How did you go? Could you hear the ways these words are linked? If you found it challenging, don’t worry. Practice makes perfect, and you can practise any time you’re listening to the radio or watching your favourite English language tv show. Let’s try our phrases again.
- We are not going. Leave a few seconds for the SS to listen and repeat
- You are not going.
- she is the best.
- He ate it for lunch.
- I owe you a dollar.
- I always do.
- You are so amazing.
- Do it!
- I always
- Go away.
Awesome! Well done! We just learned lot about intrusion and why it’s so important that you work on it. Remember that if you need more practice then head over to www.e2english.com for all of your English language needs.
My name is Louisa and I’ll see you soon.