Since all Chinese words consist of only one syllable, there is a tendency for speakers of Mandarin and Cantonese to reduce English words with longer syllables. Make sure you pronounce every syllable of longer words. Also, pronounce every consonant and don’t lose vocal energy toward the end of the word. Pay special attention to this if you tend to speak fast. Don’t take any short cuts! Below are some examples of English words typically cut short by native Chinese speakers.

Practice Sentences

The correct number of syllables is indicated above each word. Count them as you read the words, then try to say them more quickly making sure you are not skipping any syllable.

1. The scientist³ is enthusiastic⁵ about artificial⁴ intelligence⁴.
2. I am confident³ that this advertisement⁴ will be meaningful³ to the customers³.
3. It is unimaginable⁶ that the Europeans⁴ lost the championship⁴.
4. The foreigner³ had a powerful³ vocabulary⁵ and communicated⁵ confidently⁴.
5. The executive⁴ assistant³ primarily⁴ negotiated⁵ for the president³.
6. We are investigating⁵ the developmental⁵ processes³ of our biggest² competitors⁴.
7. I primarily⁴ practice the pronunciation⁵ of the difficult³ sentences³.
8. The entertainment⁴ industry³ is concentrated⁴ in Hollywood³.
9. He is seriously⁴ investigating⁵ a career in technical³ consulting³.
10. There is a spectacular⁴ exhibition⁴ at the museum³.

Word Ending Errors

The endings of words can sometimes cause problems for the native Chinese speaker. For example, since plural forms don’t exist in Chinese, there is a tendency to omit them when speaking English.

Another difficulty sometimes arises with the third person singular. The form of the verb doesn’t change in Chinese so you may tend to omit the final s.

Finally, many native speakers of Chinese, even those who are very proficient in English, tend to randomly interchange the present and past tenses. Since these tense differences don’t exist in Chinese it is understandably confusing.

Linking

Chinese speakers of English tend to pronounce each word separately, which makes the section on linking in Chapter Eight one of the most important aids in helping you sound more American. You will definitely want to review that chapter, but to summarize: don’t release the final consonant if it’s “a stop.”

This mistake can be prevented by holding the final consonant and immediately saying the next word with no air created between pronouncing the two words. Study the section related to linking consonant + consonant in Chapter 8 for more practice.