U.S. English Pronunciation - Lesson 3: /b/, /d/, and /g/

U.S. English Pronunciation
Lesson 3:
/b/, /d/, and /g/

The goal of this course is to present English pronunciation in simple, easy-to-understand terms. However to give an adequate explanation of English consonants, Lesson 1 outlines some basic linguistic information.

Voiced stops:

The 'voiced stops' in English are exactly like the 'voiceless stops', except they are pronounced while vibrating the vocal chords. Also, the voiced stops are never 'aspirated' like the voiceless stops sometimes are. (see Lesson 1 for more information).


The voiced stops in English are:

/b/ /d/ and /g/



/b/ is pronounced with voicing by closing the lips together, restricting airflow (this is similar to /p/, but with voicing).

Examples:

word initial:

Ball

Basket

But

part of a consonant cluster:

Bring

Brake


word final:

Tab

Grab


/d/ is pronounced with voicing by touching the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth just behind the teeth, restricting airflow (this is similar to /t/, but with voicing).

[Note: In some languages, like Spanish, speakers tend to pronounce /t/ and /d/ by placing the tip of the tongue directly on the back of the teeth. If you are used to pronouncing these sounds that way, that's fine, but for advanced practice try backing up to just behind the teeth. You will sound more like a native speaker that way.]

Examples:

word initial:

Day

Dog



Part of a consonant cluster:

Drop

Old



Word final:

Had

Food


/g/ is pronounced with voicing by touching the back of the tongue against the back of the soft palate, restricting airflow. (this is similar to /k/, but with voicing).

Examples:

word initial:

Gear

Gum

Garden


Part of a consonant cluster:

Gray

Green

Glad


Word final:

Bag

Big


Lesson 4: /f/, /θ/, /s/ -->




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