Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cerriowen]

I'm supposed to teach the sounds of "u". The first group is easy...

up, number, cup...

The second group of "u" is throwing me...

Sure, Full, Push

I have a fairly standard american accent, and those words, to me, wouldn't be grouped together.

Sure sounds like "shoo-er", Full is like in "gull" or "cull", and push has a soft, almost oo-uh sound... "po-ush" kind of...

The first group is represented by the ʌ symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet. If the second group *is* one group, then what's the symbol for it???

THx!

[ricky_lamour]

Who grouped those words together? Is it in a text book or was it you co-teacher? Either way its wrong.

Full and push should be in the first group and sure in a different one.

[Cornfed]

It's from a middle school textbook. Coincidentally, I'm also teaching that section today. The "u" sounds in the second group all sound different with a New Zealand accent. I'll have to just get the kids to copy me.

[ricky_lamour]

Teach them to say "fush and chups" as well. That should be good for a laugh.

[Cerriowen]

Yea, it's from the book.

I'd think "sure" is closer to the words shoe, glue, and threw

[chickyabroad]

To me, another American, the 'u' in 'sure' would be the same as in 'fur' which is /ɜ:/ whereas 'full' and 'push' would be the same as 'put' or /ʊ/.

[Ut videam]

From the Oxford English Dictionary:

• up: (ʌp)
• number: Brit. /'nʌmbə/, U.S. /'nəmbər/
• cup: (kʌp)
• sure: (ʃʊə(r), ʃɔə(r))
• full: (fʊl)
• push: Brit. /pʊʃ/, U.S. /pʊʃ/

The Oxford American Dictionary, however, offers the following:

• up: (əp)
• number: /'nəmbər/
• cup: (kəp)
• sure: (ʃʊ(ə)r)
• full: (fʊl)
• push: (pʊʃ)

No wonder it's confusing!

[Chris_Dixon]