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Heads Up English
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Tokyo, Japan
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:03 am Post subject: pronunciation problems |
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Hi Everyone,
I decided to put together a few lessons on pronunciation and intonation for my site, and need your comments/advice. I've only taught Japanese learners of English, and so am very familiar with their problem areas in speaking. But what is it like with other learners? Specifically:
1. Are there specific sounds difficult to pronounce because of the learner's L1?
2. Are there sound pairs that cause problems? For example, Japanese people have a lot of trouble with "b" and "v," or "l" and "r."
Any answers are very much appreciated!
Thank you.
Chris Cotter
www.headsupenglish.com |
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Buddhaheart
Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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Therere many sound pairs that cause problem for the Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hindi/Tamil, Arabic and Iranian/Farsi students in our area.
For example, consonant pair "b" & "v" seems to cause problem for Spanish & Hindi students & "l" and "r" for Korean students. Chinese students have problem with f/v & l/n. All students have problem with θ & ๐, I & i: , and r , just to name a few. |
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Lorikeet

Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 1377 Location: San Francisco, California
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:21 am Post subject: |
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There is a lot of native language interference with most of my (adult) students. I bet you could find a native language that caused trouble with any similar sounds (voiced/voiceless pairs, close articulation, etc.)
In addition to what's already been mentioned,
Russians have trouble with e like in pet and a like in pat, and with w and v
Koreans and Filipinos have trouble with f and p
Cantonese speakers have trouble with s and sh
Spanish and Chinese speakers have trouble with s and z
Spanish speakers have trouble with sh and ch
(Not to mention the American English flap or tap sound in the middle of butter) |
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BradC

Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 23
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject: TH Problems |
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Germans have trouble with "th" because it's a phoneme that doesn't exist in their language. They usually substitute "d" or "z" for the "th" sound. |
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