Improve Your Pronunciation - Study Session 6 - ESL Blogs

Voiceless and Voiced Consonants

Consonant Sounds /f/ and /v/

[ Click on the image to see it on a large scale! ]

-{ Click ' HERE ' for the transcript of my voice }-

Step 1: Watch the videos - VERY IMPORTANT!

(I've given the transcript for an easy grasp of the speech.)

First, while you are watching a video, make the consonant sound and pronounce

the words as instructed by Alex.

Second, play the video again but this time look at the transcript while listening to Alex.

Again, don't forget to make the consonant sound and pronounce the words.

Voiceless Consonant /f/

(Video 1 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

This is a voiceless consonant.

You can hear it at the beginning of the word ‘fat’ /fæt/;

In the middle of the word ‘coffee’ /ˈkɒfi/;

At the end of the word ‘rough’ /rʌf/;

And, at the beginning and end of the word ‘fluff’ /flʌf/.

Now, did you see how I made this sound? Watch my lip and my top teeth.

Now, you try. Listen and repeat after me.

fat /fæt/

coffee /ˈkɒfi/

rough ./rʌf/

fluff ./flʌf/

Similar Sounds: /f/ and /v/

You may find it difficult to tell the difference between this voiceless sound /f/ and its voiced partner /v/. Listen carefully to hear the difference. .For each example, I shall say the word with the voiceless sound /f/ first.

fan ../fæn/ van /væn/

leaf ./li:f/ .leave /li:v/

off ../ɒf/ ..of ./ɒv/

rifle /ˈraɪfl/ rival ./ˈraɪvl/

Now, you try. Listen and repeat. (refer to the above list)

..........................................................................................................

Voiced Consonant /v/

(Video 2 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

This is a voiced consonant.

You can hear it at the beginning of the word ‘very’ /ˈveri/;

In the middle of the word ‘heavy’ /ˈhevi/ ;

At the end of the word ‘move’ /mu:v/

And, at the beginning and end of the word ‘verve’ /vɜ:v/.

Did you see how I make this sound? Watch my lip and my top teeth.

Now, you try. Listen and repeat after me.

very ../ˈveri/

heavy /ˈhevi/

move /mu:v/

verve /vɜ:v/

Similar Sounds: /v/ and /f/

You may find it difficult to tell the difference between this voiced sound /v/ and its .voiceless

partner /f/. Listen carefully to hear the difference..For each example, I shall say the word with the voiced sound /v/ first.

vault /vɔ:lt/ fault . /fɔ:lt/

believe..l/bɪˈli:v/ ...belief . /bɪˈli:f/

live . .. /laɪv/ ..life . /laɪf/

Now, your try. Listen again and repeat. (refer to the above list)

Similar Sounds: /v/ and /b/

For.speakers of some languages it may be difficult to.tell the difference between this voiced sound /v/ at the beginning of 'very' /ˈveri/ and another voiced sound /b/ which you can hear at the beginning of 'berry' /ˈberi/. Listen: very /ˈveri/ ... berry /ˈberi/.

If you can't hear the difference, look at the difference - watch my lips and teeth: very - berry

When I say 'very' my teeth are touching my lip:..very

.When I say 'berry' my lips are tight together: ..berry

Listen carefully to hear the difference. For each example, I shall say the word with the sound /v/ first.

very ./ˈveri/ .berry ./ˈberi/

vet ... /vet/ ...bet . ./bet/

vote . ../vəʊt/ ...boat ../bəʊt/

vowel /ˈvaʊəl/ ..bowel ../ˈbaʊəl/

Now, you try. Listen again and repeat. (refer to the above list)

..........................................................................................................

SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEO

(Video 3 - Watch in 'Full Screen')

Repeat the words and sentences after Maggie. Distinguish the voiceless consonant /f/ from the voiced consonant /v/.

These are the pairs: fine - vine ... face - vase ... folly - volley ... fest - vest ... faif - five.

The sentences: a) Five visitors found favour in Vietnam.

.b) It's a privilege to see such faif furs on the selves.

.c) That Finish fellow rows all over the river.

..........................................................................................................

Step 2: Do this activity - VERY IMPORTANT!

(a ) .Click on the image below for the animation of the speech organs. Watch the mouth,

lower lip and top teeth when the voiceless consonant /f/ and voiced consonant /v/ are

articulated.

Follow these steps if you are not sure where to start from: (refer to the numbers)

1. Click the tab 'fricative' to make all the nine consonants appear first.

2. Click the phonetic symbol of the voiceless consonant /f/ and .you'll see the rest.

3. Click the 'play' button to watch the animation of the voiceless consonant /f/

4. Click the 'radio button' and 'play' button again to watch the articulation in steps.

5. Click the right 'play' button for the front view of the mouth when ./f/ is articulated.

6. Click the 'speaker icon' to listen to the voiceless consonant used in words.

7. Follow steps 1 - 6 to listen to the voiced consonant /v/

(b) . Follow the links to our EC minimal pairs page. Practise saying the words in pairs..

Make a clear difference between the consonant sounds in focus.

Minimal pairs: /f/ and /v/

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs-f-v.htm

Minimal pairs: /f/ and /p/

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs-f-p.htm

Minimal pairs: /b/ and /v/

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs-b-v.htm

...........................................................................................................

Step 3: Your Audio Assignment - COMPULSORY!:

Record .the following as per the instructions given and embed your recorded audio in the

comment box below.

1. .Say the phonemes the number of times they appear.

[Make sure that your lower lip touches the top teeth for both the consonant sounds, /f/ and /v/.

Use a mirror to see your action! Check the animation in Step 2 if you're not sure how it's done!]

Voiceless consonant: /f/ /f/ /f/ /f/ /f/ ............ say slowly

Now, say the /f/ rapidly: / .f .f .f .f .f .f .f .f .f .f .f .f ./

Say the consonant sound followed by the word: / f f / feel ... / f f / fine ... / f f / fear.

.Voiced consonant . ..: /v/ /v/ /v/ /v/ /v/ ............ say slowly

Now, say the /v/ rapidly: /v v v v v v v v v v v v/

Say the consonant sound followed by the word: / v v / veal ... / v v / vine ... / v v / veer.

D2. Read the list of words in pairs.

.a) Minimal pairs: voiceless /p/ and voiceless /f/

praise ./preɪz/ ..phrase ../freɪz/

plush ./plʌʃ/ .flush . ./flʌʃ/

supper /ˈsʌpə/ ..suffer /ˈsʌfə/

reaper /ˈriːpə/ .reefer /ˈriːfə/

harp /hɑːp/ half ./hɑːf/

cheap /tʃiːp/ .chief /tʃiːf/

b) Minimal pairs: voiceless /f/ and voiced /v/

fender ./ˈfendə/ vendor /ˈvendə/

focal . ./ˈfəʊkl/ vocal ../ˈvəʊkl/

surfing ./ˈsɜːfɪŋ/ .serving. ./ˈsɜːvɪŋ/

shuffle /ˈʃʌfl/ shovel ../ˈʃʌvl/

brief /briːf/ ..breve /briːv/

strife ../straɪf/ strive ../straɪv/

D3. (A) Read the sentences. (Focus on the consonants /f/ and /v/ - Read each sentence twice)

Forgiveness forms a firm foundation for future fortitude.

Vivian believes violent, violet bugs have very big value.

D4. (A) Read the short paragraph. (Focus on the consonants /f/ and /v/

The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and

veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.

But the fugitive's fault finding frater, faithfully farming his father's fields for free, frowned at

this fickle forgiveness of former falderal. His fury flashed, but fussing was futile.

" Sample Audio Assignment "
Click on the below 'AudioPal' image! You'll be taken to the actual audio player embedded, not out of the blog, among the comments below. Sorry for the inconvenience, friends!

This Study Session is moderated by G & G: Gabriel | Galina

" You don't need fancy highbrow traditions or money to really learn.

You just need people with the desire to better themselves."
~ Adam Cooper and Bill Collage ~

~* GS *~
August, 28th. 2012

Handy Links:

Click HERE to choose a voice recorder and .learn how to embed the player.

Click HERE to check the phonetic spelling or audio pronunciation of a word.

Click HERE to practise your audio assignment with the TTS tool on Audiopal.

Click HERE to go to the 'hompepage' to check previous/future study sessions.

Study Session 5 Study Session 7

Don't forget to click the 'Like' button if you find the posting useful!

Dearest Selma,

You, without doubt, keep gaining confidence day by day. I admire that fighting spirit in you a lot, my lovely friend! By the way, you have a very good speaking voice! It is easily understandable by the listeners. Anyone who talks to you will be engrossed in the conversation. I only wish I could talk to you in real life. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Here’s what I observed while listening to your audio assignment:

1. You could make the sound of the consonant pair /f/ and /v/ in isolation effortlessly. That’s Great!

2. (a) Minimal Pairs. You did all of them Very Well!

2. (b) Just make the sounds that I’ve highlighted a little clear the next time :-)

vocal /ˈvəʊkl/

surfing /ˈsɜ:fɪŋ/

serving /ˈsɜ:vɪŋ/

3. fortitude /ˈfɔ:tɪtju:d/

Overall, my opinion about your audio assignment is that it is one excellent recording.

Best regards,

~* GS *~

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Comments

Rajesh September 23, 2012 15:31
Gabriel Sowrian September 16, 2012 19:33

Dear Asma,

I’m really very pleased that you could resume participating actively in the study sessions. By the way, how’s your flu? Have you fully recovered? I hope so!

Ok! Let’s see how you’ve faired in your audio assignment. Shall we?

1. I see that pronouncing the voiceless /f/ and voiced /v/ is a piece of cake for you! That’s great!

2. The two groups of minimal pairs pose no problem to you. I’m more than happy!

3. You read the sentences and paragraphs so well. Now, I want you to give special attention to the following words used in the assignment.

                                             - violet

                                             - vengeance

You can listen to their correct pronunciation by clicking on them. The words are linked to online Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

Besides that, in sum, you’ve done a very good job. Keep it up! Now you can move on to Study Session 7. I’ll see you there, Asma! Cheers!!

Warm regards,

     ~* GS *~
Gabriel Sowrian September 3, 2012 21:39

@ Sakshi, Selma, Galina & Scarlett

Hello, ladies!

I’m glad indeed that you four would like to know how to extend the ‘1 minute recording time limit’ given for Audiopal. And, also how to transfer the audio assignment that has already been recorded on Vocaroo over to Audiopal…!

I’ve explained how these two can be done in the comments section on my blog “Make your voice heard”. Go to the blog and learn the tricks as they could be very useful to you. I would appreciate it if you could embed your sample audio recording there. Thank you!

Kind regards,

~* GS *~
Scarlett September 3, 2012 4:49

Dear teacher Gabriel,

I can do nothing without your teaching. You are the light of my successful way.

I'm also stunning with your compliment. Thank your for all your kind words. I will try my best to made you stunned more... :P
Gabriel Sowrian September 2, 2012 23:17

Hi, Ehab Nassif!

You’ve been showing a commendable desire in improving your pronunciation. I admire that perseverance of yours! You are surely making a gradual progress. Just keep yourself motivated and keep going. Ehab, nothing is impossible if you know how to maneuver your heart and mind on the right path.

I’ve picked a few words from your audio assignment. Could you practise them for me, please? thank you!

praise /preɪz/

phrase /freɪz/

focal /'fəʊkl/

vocal /'vəʊkl/

surfing /'sɜ:fɪŋ/

shovel /'ʃʌvl/

forgiveness /fə'ɡɪvnəs/

fortitude /'fɔ:tɪtju:d/

futile /'fjuːtaɪl/

Best regards,

~* GS *~
selma September 2, 2012 18:38

My gratitude to Respectable Leadership Gabriel,

I'm honored with your words. Your analyzing is enough to uplift my soul,

Thank you for spending your time for us, we owe so much,

God Bless you dear,

Selma
Gabriel Sowrian September 2, 2012 18:25

Helloooooo, Scarlett…

UNBELIEVABLE

That is an “EXCELLENT” audio assignment. You’ve acquired everything that is needed for a proper pronunciation! Your tongue hit the spot. I’m stunned right now! Am I dreaming? Let me pinch myself first…! OMG… it’s true…!!

Gabrielle... oops, Scarlett you left me with no words in the dictionary that I could use to express how Glad and Proud I am on your fantastic achievement . Way to go, girl!

With all the best regards in the world,

~* Gabriel Sowrian *~

https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2385331485?profile=original
Gabriel Sowrian September 2, 2012 15:11

Dearest Selma,

You, without doubt, keep gaining confidence day by day. I admire that fighting spirit in you a lot, my lovely friend! By the way, you have a very good speaking voice! It is easily understandable by the listeners. Anyone who talks to you will be engrossed in the conversation. I only wish I could talk to you in real life. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Here’s what I observed while listening to your audio assignment:

1. You could make the sound of the consonant pair /f/ and /v/ in isolation effortlessly. That’s Great!

2. (a) Minimal Pairs. You did all of them Very Well!

2. (b) Just make the sounds that I’ve highlighted a little clear the next time :-)

         vocal      /ˈvəʊkl/

         surfing    /ˈsɜ:fɪŋ/

         serving    /ˈsɜ:vɪŋ/

3.      fortitude /ˈfɔ:tɪtju:d/

Overall, my opinion about your audio assignment is that it is one excellent recording.

Best regards,

~* GS *~
Prostomolotova Galina September 2, 2012 12:30

Wow!

Sakshi, it's unbelievable! What progress! You managed to pronounce not only all the sounds in a proper way, but also to convey the proper English intonation! And this is even more difficult, at least for me. It's great, Sakshi! It seems only you use Audiopal and its valuable option TTS ( Text To Speech). I clearly hear the right English intonation in your voice recording! I think you practise it several times using Audiopal. Sakshi, you're simply amazing!
Prostomolotova Galina September 2, 2012 12:04

My dear Ha!

Every time you record your audio assignment, your voice sounds more and more confident. Besides it sounds more clear and understandable. It's great you're such a patient and hard-working person. The sounds /f/ and /v/ you pronounced in a proper way. Great! Now you have only some problems with the sounds that we didn't practise yet. So, it's very good news for you. Without any doubt, you'll learn how to pronounce them later.These sounds are:

/s/ in such words as voiceless /ˈvɔɪsləs/ and at the end of some words;

/ʃ/ in the word shall /ʃæl/;

/ʧ/ in the word such /sʌʧ/;

/θ/ in the word faithfully /ˈfeɪθfəli/;

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This reply was deleted.

praise	/preɪz/
phrase	/freɪz/
focal	/'fəʊkl/
vocal	/'vəʊkl/
surfing	/'sɜ:fɪŋ/
shovel	/'ʃʌvl/
forgiveness	/fə'ɡɪvnəs/
fortitude	/'fɔ:tɪtju:d/
futile	/'fjuːtaɪl/