Facebook  Twitter  LinkedIn

YouTube  RSS   Skype Me™!

Itunes

 

Voted in 2008 as Pittsburgh's Top 250 Best Minority Owned Business by Trib Total Media

Is American English Sloppy?

JavaScript is disabled!
To display this content, you need a JavaScript capable browser.

Some people may argue that Americans have learned to be sloppy speakers because they aren’t very precise with their diction and reduce or eliminate sounds and words.  But we often minimize/eliminate sounds logically and conveniently to create a smooth, natural flow of speech. Here is an example:

In running speech, when an unimportant word that begins with an /h/ sound (he, his, her and have) follows a word that ends in a consonant, the /h/ is eliminated and the final sound of the first word is linked to the /h/ word.  Here is an example:

Will he=Will’ e     Will’ e come to the meeting?

Should have=Should ‘ave   We should’ave known.

 Listen as I compare the precise way and the less precise way.

There is a fine line to consider.  Pronouncing “will he” as two separate words versus linking them, gives a slightly different sound: one that is formal, one that is informal.  Both are appropriate in certain settings.  Non-native English speakers need to learn to use linking more often to create natural sounding speech.  Perhaps native English speakers need to learn to use slightly more precision to sound more formal.  The time that I received an email from an American who actually spelled out  “ could ave” in the email, was the time that I thought that it has gone too far!  Be careful with your speech and if you want to improve how well someone understands, you might consider learning American “linking” techniques.

Would you like to learn how to do this in running speech?  Sign-up today for the class, “Be Rhythmic and Fluid: Get Connected.” 

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Comments 

 
#12 Anna 20093213 ??1 2011-03-31 16:01
As English learners,we need to learn to use linking more often to create natural sounding speech. Only by this way can we use speak rhythmic and fluid English. At the same time, we can be easily understood.
 
 
#11 Amelia 20093233??1 2011-03-31 15:55
While speak English,we should be careful with our speech and if we want to improve how well someone understands, we might pay more attention to American “linking” techniques.As English speakers,we need to learn to use linking more often to create natural sounding speech. Only in this way can we use slightly more precision to sound more formal and make ourselves easily understood.
 
 
#10 Melissa 20093226 2011-03-31 14:52
I think the American pronunciation of tonal feeling very concise and convenient. Although I confuse how to read sometimes , but we will read more
Read phonetically
 
 
#9 wendy20093209??1 2011-03-31 14:21
In English we have to learn to linking,Notice that the final /d/ on “good” is beside a word that begins with /d/ (day).
 
 
#8 Anna 2011-03-31 13:57
American “linking” techniques,it links in running speech, when an unimportant word with 'h'begin
 
 
#7 jenny20093209??1 2011-03-31 13:54
''tonal''can make your speech more perfect! We get used to 'tonal', only to get used often to a very good grasp of him.
 
 
#6 elaine 20093222??1 2011-03-31 13:13
when we speak unimportant word with began /h/sound, the sound will be eliminated. such as Will he=Will’ e and so on. and i like to speak running speech,and i like American sound, that was standard.
 
 
#5 Angela20093235 2011-03-31 11:51
Every place is differant from eyery place.it just need people to understand.if people understand it can be easy to listen and speak.i just want to say,i" think if we do more listen and do more practice ,it may easy for us to understand what people say.to learn a language good or ".
 
 
#4 Ann 20093207 2011-03-31 10:07
This article tell us how to use the words in our speaking english. I thank that it is very well! Because we can learn to from there,and know which methods suit myselves. Improve our speaking. That's all! Thank you~~
 
 
#3 elaine 2011-03-31 10:05
yes,i like to learn how to do this in running speech. but first i do not agree Americans have learned to be sloppy speakers. i think americans have good standard speaker, and their sound is very beatufull.