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It is recommended that you study all of the American vowel sounds in detail. (See Chapters One and Two.) However, pay special attention to the vowel sounds highlighted below which are the most problematic ones for Filipino speakers of English.
Words Spelled with o
English words spelled with o are particularly difficult since o is usually pronounced as /ɑ/ as in stop and hot, but it can also be pronounced as /ɘ/ as in love and Monday or even as /ou/ as in so and only.
The /I/ Sound
Pay attention to this tricky short vowel. Make sure you pronounce the words in each pair below differently:
| |
/I/ |
/i/ |
| 1. |
sit |
seat |
| 2. |
live |
leave |
| 3. |
fill |
feel |
The /ɘ/ Sound
Practice pronouncing the following words differently:
| |
/ɑ/ |
/ɘ / |
| 1. |
shot |
shut |
| 2. |
lock |
luck |
| 3. |
cop |
cup |
The /Ʊ/ Sound
The /ʊ/ sound, as in good, can also pose problems for you. Make sure you pronounce the words in each pair below differently:
| |
/ʊ/ |
/u / |
| 1. |
full |
fool |
| 2. |
pull |
pool |
| 3. |
look |
Luke |
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