Home

Lessons:
  
Grammar
  
Reading
  
Vocabulary
  
Listening
  
Pronunciation
  
Writing
  
Etc.

Q&A

Should I Study Abroad?

Listen to Books in English

ESL Schools

Articles

Search

Buy ESL Books

ESL Links

About Us

Copyright Notice

American Accent Workshop

Get English, English English Today

Secret List of Teaching Jobs in Japan

Become a Personal ESL Trainer

WhiteSmoke - Write like an English Expert!

Advertise Here

 

 

 

5 Minute English

 

 

Liaisons (Part 4)

See the previous liaison lessons:  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combining T, D, S or Z + Y

When the letter or sound of T, D, S or Z is followed by a word that starts with Y, or its sound, both sounds are connected. These letters and sounds connect not only with Y, but they do so as well with the initial unwritten [y] sound of syllables and words. They form a combination that changes the pronunciation.

T + Y = CH

Spelling Pronunciation
What's your name? [Whacher name?]
Can't you do it? [Canchoo do it?]
Don't you like it? [Donchoo like it?]
actually [achully]


D + Y = J

Spelling Pronunciation
What did you do? [Whajoo do?]
Would you help me? [Wüjoo help me?]
Did you like it? [Didja like it?]
graduation [graju(w)ation]

 

S + Y = SH
 

Spelling Pronunciation
insurance [inshurance]
sugar [shüg'r]


Z + Y = ZH

Spelling Pronunciation
How's your family? [howzher family?]
Who's your friend? [hoozhier friend?]
casual [kazhyoow'l]
usual [yuzhoow'l]

 

This lesson has been provided by Ann Cook, author of American Accent Training.  Visit her website at www.americanaccent.com

Check Your Understanding

Can you find the liaisons that connect T, D, S, or Z with Y?  Say them out loud to yourself, then listen to the sentences below.

1.  Where's your mom?

2.  I'll let you know.

3.  Bless you!

4.  It's gradual.

5.  Haven't you done it?

6.  Let me guess your age.

7.  Could you tell?

8.  Who's your friend?

 

Answers-  Click the sentence to hear it.

1.  Where's your mom?  zh

2.  I'll let you know.  ch

3.  Bless you!  sh

4.  It's gradual.  j

5.  Haven't you done it?  ch

6.  Let me guess your age.  sh

7.  Could you tell?  j

8.  Who's your friend?  zh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com)
Copyright © 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises.  All rights reserved.