Improve Your Pronunciation - Study Session 9 - ESL Blogs

Voiceless and Voiced Consonant Pair

Consonant Sounds /ʃ/ and /ʒ/

[ Click on the image to see it on a large scale! ]

Step 1: Watch the videos - VERY IMPORTANT

(I've given the transcript for an easy grasp of the speech.)

First, while you are watching a video, make the consonant sound and pronounce

the words as instructed by Alex.

Second, play the video again but this time look at the transcript while listening to Alex.

Again, don't forget to make the consonant sound and pronounce the words.

Voiceless Consonant /ʃ/

(Video 1 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

This is a voiceless consonant. It's pronounced /ʃ/.

This is the sound you make if you want someone to be quiet /ʃ/. Did you notice the shape of my lips?

Watch... /ʃ/. Now, you try! Listen, watch and repeat after me /ʃ/ ... /ʃ/.

Now, let's look at some words with the sound /ʃ/ in them.

It's found at the beginning of the words 'ship' /ʃɪp/ and 'sure' /ʃɔː/;

in the middle of the word 'nation' /ˈneɪʃn/;

at the end of the word 'fish' /fɪʃ/ and

at the beginning and end of the word 'shush' /ʃʊʃ/.

Now, you try! Listen and repeat after me.

ship ../ʃɪp/

sure ../ʃɔ:/

nation ./ˈneɪʃn/

fish ./fɪʃ/

shush ../ʃʊʃ/

Similar Sounds: /ʃ/ and /s/

To speakers of some languages, it may be difficult to tell the difference between the sound /ʃ/ and the consonant /s/, especially at the beginning of words. Did you notice the difference in the shape of my lips? Watch /ʃ/ ... /s/.

Listen carefully to the following examples. For each example, I'll say the word with /ʃ/ at the beginning first.

ship ../ʃɪp/ .sip /sɪp/

show ./ʃəʊ/ so ./səʊ/

shy ../ʃaɪ/ .sigh /saɪ/

chauffeur /ˈʃəʊfə/ .sofa /ˈsəʊfə/

shock ./ʃɒk/ sock ../sɒk/

Now, you try! Listen, watch and repeat after me. (Refer to the above list)

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Voiced Consonant /ʒ/

(Video 2 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

This is a voiced consonant. It's pronounced /ʒ/. Did you notice the shape of my lips? /ʒ/

The sound /ʒ/ can be found in the middle of the words 'liesure' /ˈleʒə/. 'pleasure' /ˈpleʒə/ and

'vision' /ˈvɪʒn/; and at the end of the word 'beige' /beɪʒ/.

Now, you try! Listen and repeat.

leisure ./ˈleʒə/

pleasure ./ˈpleʒə/

vision ../ˈvɪʒn/

beige ./beɪʒ/

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SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEOS

Voiceless Consonant /ʃ/

(Video 3 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

Note: The digraph "sh" shown in the video represents the voiceless consonant /ʃ/

.Make sure you repeat the words and sentences after Dave Sconda ;-)

.Watch for the letters and digraphs that could make the sound /ʃ/

Voiced Consonant /ʒ/

(Video 4 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

. Note: The digraph "zh" shown in the video represents the voiced consonant /ʒ/

.Take note of all the letters that could make the sound /ʒ/

.Repeat the words after the tutor. Do it a few times if necessary!

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Step 2: Do this activity - VERY IMPORTANT!

. Follow the link to our EC minimal pairs page. Practise saying the words in pairs. Make

a clear difference between the consonant sounds in focus, /s/ and /ʃ/

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs-s-sh.htm

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Step 3: Your Audio Assignment - COMPULSORY

Record . the following as per the instructions given and embed your recorded audio in the

comment box below. If you've never used a voice recorder before,. click HERE to learn where to

find one; how to do the recording and embed your audio player)

1. . Say the phonemes the number of times they appear.

(Raise the front of your tongue close to the tooth ridge and towards the roof of the mouth for both

the sounds /ʃ/ and /ʒ/)

Voiceless consonant /ʃ/ /ʃ/ /ʃ/ /ʃ/ /ʃ/ ............ say slowly

Make the longest /ʃ/ you could with a single exhalation: / ʃ ................................. /

Voiced consonant /ʒ/ /ʒ/ /ʒ/ /ʒ/ /ʒ/ ............ say slowly

Make the longest /ʒ/ you could with a single exhalation: / ʒ .................................. /

D2. Read the list of words in pairs and sets accordingly.

a) Voiceless /ʃ/ Voiced /ʒ/

shoe /ʃu:/ jus ../ʒu:/

sheet /ʃi:t/ gîte ./ʒi:t/

shack ../ʃæk/ .Jacques ./ʒæk/

pressure /ˈpreʃə/ ..treasure /ˈtreʒə/

brochure /ˈbrəʊʃə/ closure ./ˈkləʊʒə/

Keisha .../ˈki:ʃə/ .. .seizure /ˈsi:ʒə/

mission /ˈmɪʃn/ vision ./ˈvɪʒn/

insertion ./ɪnˈsɜ:ʃn/ ..incision /ɪnˈsɪʒn/

sensual ./ˈsenʃuəl/ casual ./ˈkæʒuəl/

garish /ˈgeərɪʃ/ .garage ./ˈgærɑ:ʒ/

bash /bæʃ/ .beige /beɪʒ/

push /pʊʃ/ .rouge ./ru:ʒ/

b) Voiceless /s/ Voiceless /ʃ/

save ... /seɪv/ ..shave ../ʃeɪv/

sign ../saɪn/ ..shine /ʃaɪn/

sort ...../sɔ:t/ . .short ./ʃɔ:t/

c) Voiceless /s/ Voiceless /ʃ/ Voiced /z/

scene /si:n/ sheen ./ʃi:n/ zine ../zi:n/

sewn /səʊn/ . shown ../ʃəʊn/ ..zone /zəʊn/

sue ./su:/ ...shoe /ʃu:/ ..zoo /zu:/

D3. (A) Read the sentence twice! ( Focus on the voiced consonant /ʒ/ )

[ The letter 's' makes the sound /ʒ/ in the following words of the sentence. ]

He can’t measure the displeasure and the delusion he had at the casual disclosure of that

unusual treasure.

D4. (A) Read the short paragraph twice! (Read slowly and focus on the voiceless /ʃ/)

[ Make a clear difference between /s/ and /ʃ/ ]

There once was a man who had a sister. His name was Mr Fisher. .Mr Fisher's sister sold

sea shells by the sea shore. Mr Fisher didn't sell sea shells, he sold silk sheets. Mr Fisher

told his sister that he sold six silk sheets to six sheiks. The sister of Mr Fisher said, "I sold

six shells to six sheiks too!"

A sample of the audio assignmet that I've recorded for you!

Note of Apology

Hello, there! It has been exactly one month since I posted the last lesson. I’m sorry for the delay

in posting the subsequent lessons. I know, no excuses in the world could justify my long silence.

I hope my absence did not diminish, in anyway, your burning desire to master the English

speech sounds and proper pronunciation as a whole. Please bear with me for another few days;

I promise you that I’ll listen to all your audio assignments for the previous study session and

leave my comments there. Thank you!

This Study Session is moderated by G & G: Gabriel | Galina

" The basic idea behind teaching is to teach people what they need to know. "
~ Carl Rogers ~

~* GS *~
October, 20th. 2012

.
.

Click HERE to go (back) to the main contents page at EC Virtual Classroom and

check all the previous and future lessons.

Study Session 8 Study Session 10

Don't forget to click the 'Like' button if you find the posting useful!

Dear Asma,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you for successfully recording your voice with ‘Audiopal’. You’ve saved me from the trouble of any further continual rewinding of your audio assignments in future. Thank you!

Ok! Overall, you’ve done an outstanding job as usual. I could see the amount of effort you’ve put into your work; your progress is praiseworthy! As you know, the prime focus of Study Session 9 is on the consonant pair /ʃ/ and /ʒ/. Thus, I’m more watchful on these phonemes. To my amazement, pronouncing the two speech sounds is as easy as anything to you. I’m more than satisfied if the truth is told.

Now, there are some words that I want you to pay special attention.

1. casual – is pronounced /ˈkæʒuəl/ not /ˈkæʒuwɑ:l/

2. sensual – is pronounced /ˈsenʃuəl/ not /ˈsenʃuwɑ:l/

3. exhalation – is pronounced /ˌekshəˈleɪʃn/ not /ˌeksəˈleɪʃn/

4. voiced* – is pronounced / vɔɪst/ not / ˈvɔɪsed/

*Important note:

The simple past or past participle of regular verbs end in ‘-ed’, aren’t they?

The final ‘-ed’ can make three different sounds - /t/, /d/ and /ɪd/. It depends on what sound is the root word ends with!

For example…

root word simple past /past participle

finish /fɪnɪʃ/ finished /ˈfɪnɪʃt/ The letter ‘e’ is not pronounced.

save /seɪv/ saved /seɪvd/ The letter ‘e’ is not pronounced.

collect / kəˈlekt/ collected /kəˈlektɪd/ The letter ‘e’ is pronounced.

5. Here are a few words where the letter ‘e’ before the final ‘d’ is not pronounced:

push(e)d, clean(e)d, talk(e)d, rubb(e)d, crawl(e)d, tap(e)d and ramm(e)d

You can use this online dictionary to listen to all the words I mentioned, 1 to 5, above.

http://howjsay.com/index.php?word=voiced&submit=Submit

You need to mouse over each word that you key in to hear the pronunciation. (Perhaps, if you want, you could record those words and embed your audio player here for me to check.)

Please watch the video and learn how to recognize the three different sounds of the ending '-ed'. Good luck!

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Comments

selma December 8, 2012 18:33

Dear G&G

Could you please listen to my recording ?

with my warm regards,

Selma,
Robbie November 7, 2012 14:55

Thank you very much, Teacher Galina! I appreciate your welcome message on your recording. You have excellent voice. I think you sounded like a native English speaker with a British accent! Great job!

I will try to catch up with the previous study sessions. I can honestly say that this activity is very challenging. Besides, I can learn new info from other classmates' recordings. ☺
Prostomolotova Galina November 7, 2012 13:04
Asma November 3, 2012 11:09

Hello teacher Gabriel,

Honestly,when I saw your comment , I surprised.I said to my self,Gosh what did I do ?But, after reading your comment word by word, I said: Girl! you should be punished !!

First,I'd like to apologize to you for the previous recordings,you must be very patient to listen to them.from now on,there will be no troubles :)

Yes teacher,I realized my mistake in these words :Casual-Sensual-Exhalation- and voiced.Here,I recorded them:

Record music and voice >>

Concerning verbs which end in " ed ", believe me teacher I know the final " ed " can make three different sounds.When I start recording my audio I focus more on the consonant pair.Thus,I don't pay attention to other words,this is my problem.Many thanks teacher because you have to spend your time to correct and remind me.Next time,I'll pay attention to everything,even to pronounce nemebers well ... :))

Record and upload voice >>

Thank you once again for the video and for your effort to help us,Wish you always happy and best wishes for you.
Gabriel Sowrian November 2, 2012 19:56

Dear Asma,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you for successfully recording your voice with ‘Audiopal’. You’ve saved me from the trouble of any further continual rewinding of your audio assignments in future. Thank you!

Ok! Overall, you’ve done an outstanding job as usual. I could see the amount of effort you’ve put into your work; your progress is praiseworthy! As you know, the prime focus of Study Session 9 is on the consonant pair /ʃ/ and /ʒ/. Thus, I’m more watchful on these phonemes. To my amazement, pronouncing the two speech sounds is as easy as anything to you. I’m more than satisfied if the truth is told.

Now, there are some words that I want you to pay special attention.

1. casual          –  is pronounced   /ˈkæʒuəl/          not   /ˈkæʒuwɑ:l/

2. sensual       –   is pronounced   /ˈsenʃuəl/         not    /ˈsenʃuwɑ:l/

3. exhalation –   is pronounced   /ˌekshəˈleɪʃn/ not    /ˌeksəˈleɪʃn/

4. voiced*      –   is pronounced   / vɔɪst/             not   / ˈvɔɪsed/

*Important note:

The simple past or past participle of regular verbs end in ‘-ed’, aren’t they?

The final ‘-ed’ can make three different sounds - /t/, /d/ and /ɪd/. It depends on what sound is the root word ends with!

For example…

root word                simple past /past participle

finish   /fɪnɪʃ/        finished   /ˈfɪnɪʃt/       The letter ‘e’ is not pronounced.

save      /seɪv/        saved        /seɪvd/        The letter ‘e’ is not pronounced.

collect / kəˈlekt/   collected /kəˈlektɪd/ The letter ‘e’ is pronounced.

5. Here are a few words where the letter ‘e’ before the final ‘d’ is not pronounced:

push(e)d, clean(e)d, talk(e)d, rubb(e)d, crawl(e)d, tap(e)d and ramm(e)d

You can use this online dictionary to listen to all the words I mentioned, 1 to 5, above.

http://howjsay.com/index.php?word=voiced&submit=Submit

You need to mouse over each word that you key in to hear the pronunciation. (Perhaps, if you want, you could record those words and embed your audio player here for me to check.)

Please watch the video and learn how to recognize the three different sounds of the ending '-ed'. Good luck!
Asma November 2, 2012 12:11

@Robbie,

It's nice to see you among us here,welcome.Thank you so much for your kind words, it means too much for me.Well,I'm waiting teacher Gabriel's comment on my speech,lets see!!
Robbie November 2, 2012 11:06

@ Asma

You have a lovely voice! Good job for participating Mr.G's session. I learned something 'bout your pronunciation. I'll let our teachers do the suggestions, alright! Keep it up! ☺
Rajesh November 1, 2012 13:33

It's a comment:
Robbie November 1, 2012 13:04

Thank you very much for the suggestions on my speech, Mr.G! I appreciate it a lot! I like to improve my speech that's why I tried your study sessions. I wouldn't notice those flaws on my speech 'til you brought them up. I'll keep them on mind. God bless and Happy Halloween! ☺
Asma October 31, 2012 14:53

Hi dear Teacher Gabriel,

This study session is really a challenge,and I'm very happy because I could use AudioPal :D

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