Monday 30 January 2017

10 most read articles from Pronunciation Studio (5) A London Accent

6. A London Accent

What’s in a London accent?

London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. But what does a London accent sound like? Whether you call it ‘Cockney’, ‘Estuary’, ‘Mockney’ (if you’re faking it), or simply ‘London’, here are 10 key features:

Consonant Sounds

1. Silent ‘h’

A London accent does not use the sound /h/ at all!

Tuesday 24 January 2017

10 most read articles from Pronunciation Studio (4)

7. English Food (Pronunciation Guide)

A Pronunciation Guide to English Food

England. Food. What?

Believe it or not, there is a food revolution going on in the UK at the moment, and whilst you can find cuisine from all over the world here, many modern kitchens are revisiting traditional English recipes. Here’s our pronunciation guide to all things culinary and where to find them in London:

1. Fish & Chips /ˈfɪʃ n ˈtʃɪps/

Probably the most famous of all British dishes, though the fried fish part was originally brought here by Spanish Jews. You’ll find this dish on most streets in what is locally known as a ‘chippy’ /tʃɪpi/. It’s battered /ˈbætəd/ fish, normally cod /ˈkɒd/, haddock / ˈhædək/ or plaice /ˈpleɪs/ served with chips and a liberal dose of salt and vinegar /ˈsɔːɫt ən ˈvɪnəgə/ . Foodies /ˈfuːdiz/ will have theirs with mushy peas /ˈmʌʃi ˈpiːz/ and a tartare sauce /ˈtɑːtɑ: ˈsɔːs/ of capers /ˈkeɪpəz/, gherkins and mayonnaise.
Recipe: Traditional Fish n Chips by Jo’ Pratt
Where to get it in London: Kerbisher & Malt – or try your local pub.
Pronunciation Notes: Don’t say ‘and’, just say /n/.

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Friday 20 January 2017

10 most read articles from Pronunciation Studio (3)

8. The Thinking Sound

The Thinking Sound – /ɜː/

Which sound do English speakers make when they think? Er, well, it’s /ɜː/ – the central vowel. Difficult for learners because many languages do not have a similar sound. In today’s article, we’ll explore how to pronounce it, how it’s spelt, and how with certain intonation it can mean ‘disgusting!’.

How to Pronounce /ɜː/

/ɜː/ is a neutral vowel, firmly in the centre of the mouth, your tongue should be flat – not forward like /iː/ not back like /ɔː/, flat as a freshly ironed shirt /ɜː/. Your jaw should be half open, and your lips should be relaxed, not rounded or you’ll sound French [œ], so relax the lips, altogether now /ɜː/.

Thursday 19 January 2017

10 most read articles from Pronunciation Studio (2)

9. "sorry"

“sorry” – 4 uses

One of the most overused words in England. Why do English people say sorry so often? Is it a reflex? Do they really mean it? Could it even be a way of apologising for class differences? Whatever the real reason, here are 4 ways to say and use it:

1. “forgive me”

You’ve done something wrong, this is the most literal meaning of sorry. Said with a falling (i) or fall-rising pattern (ii). You can stress both syllables and use a rise-fall to sound sarcastic (iii).