Canadian Pronunciation: Recent Episodes
Tracey
For learners who have difficulty hearing the difference between the /n/ sound, as in ‘no’ and the /l/ sound, as in ‘low’
The ‘t’ sound is often in unstressed positions. When the letter’t’ (or two t’s) is between two vowel sounds, or an ‘r’ and a vowel sound, it is pronounced like a quick ‘d’ sound. The ‘t’s that should be pronounced this way are blue in the reading.
There are three different ways to pronounce the ‘ine’ word ending. For any words longer than 1 syllable, you just have to memorize the correct pronunciation
To help hear and pronounce the difference between the “uh” sound in ‘dug’ and the /a/ sound in ‘dog’
These sounds can be confusing, as the spelling patterns that go with the sounds are not always straightforward. Can you recognize which words have which sounds?
These words are good practice for learners who often correctly pronounce/i/ vs. /I/. They tend to be tricky!
These sentences use the /au/ sound. Note the ‘Canadian Raising’ in words like ‘out’, ‘about’ and ‘house’. Canadian Raising is used when the sound after /au/ is voiceless (like/t/ or /s/ for example). The sound is said with less mouth opening, and is faster.
Phrases starting from 2 syllables, working up to more than six. Each phrase needs only 2 pitch jumps (two emphasized syllables)
Words spelled with ‘ir’, ‘ur’, ‘er’ and other combinations are often pronounced as ‘er’ , as in the word ‘term’. Thus includes word practice, sentence practice, and a few conversational phrases.
Everyday phrases that North American English speakers pronounce lazily, with some sounds being combined, and others being omitted correctly completely.
Sentences to practice the distinction between the nasal /n/ sound, and the non-nasal /l/ sound.
To work on the /ae/ sound, as in the word ‘cat’. This sound is sometimes called ‘short a’
This reading focuses on the /ou/ and /or/ sounds. Canadian English speakers tend to round the lips more at the end of the /ou/ sound, except when ‘o’ is followed by the /r/ sound. The lips are round, but more open for /or/.
To practice pronouncing ‘t’ or ‘tt’ like a fast ‘d’ sound when it is between vowel sounds in an unstressed position
The most common vowel sound in Canadian English! Can be spelled with any of the vowel letters. It is most commonly used in unstressed words or syllables.
For CEPIP participants, see the bottom of p.4 of your manual. This is a review or the /r/, /l/, /w/ and /j/ sounds.
Comparing the ‘n’ and ‘ng’ sounds at the ends of words and syllables. Page 8 of additional handouts.
Comparison of the vowels ‘uh’ as in ‘run’, /ae/ as in ‘ran’ and ‘E’ as in ‘wren’. This exercise is on page 7 of section 1 of the Additional Handouts for CEPIP, or Else you have been sent the handout.
Description of the stop consonant sounds, on p. 3 of CEPIP manual (or may be PDF p. 11)
Word pairs comparing the strong, long /u/ sound with the shorter, more relaxed /U/ sound.
This reading focuses on correctly pronouncing the i sound as in the word ‘beat’, in contrast with the I sound, as in the word ‘bit’
Here is a word list with words containing a strong or weak ‘you’ sound somewhere in the word.
Pronunciation of words related to the pandemic, and health issues related to the pandemic.
Compares the breathiness of the ‘h’ sound at the beginnings of words with the words starting with vowel sounds.
A sound focused reading for people working on pronouncing the /w/,/v/ and/or /b/ sounds.
This reading focuses on comparing the ae sound in the name ‘Sam’ with the ‘e’ sound in the name ‘Ed’.
These sentences contain a mixture of /u/ sounds (as in the word ‘Luke’) and /U/ sounds (as in the word ‘look’. See if you can hear which words have which of these vowels.
These sentences focus on the Canadian pronunciation of the ‘er’ sound as in the word ‘perfect’. Please note that this sound can be spelled ‘ur’, ‘ir’, ‘ear’, and ‘or’ in some words (like the word ‘word’ for example!)
Each sentence focuses on either the /ae/ vowel, as in ‘cat’, or the /a/ vowel, as in ‘cot’
This reading is focused on the West Coast Canadian pronunciation of the /a/ and ‘uh’ vowel sounds.
A reading focusing on the Canadian pronunciation of the /au/ sound, including examples of ‘Canadian raising’: notice the how the pronunciation of the vowel in ‘out’ differs from that of ‘ground’.
This reading contrasts the /ou/ sound as in the word ‘cope’, with the /a/ sound as in the word ‘cop.’
This reading contains many examples of the weak vowel U as in the word ‘look’, contrasted with the strong vowel u, as in the word ‘Luke’
A reading focused on the correct pronunciation of ‘L’ in the middle or at the end of words.