Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[erik19283]

Hi,

How do you produce the different "th" sounds?

1- How do you make "th" for this, that, the, them, then, ....
2- How do you make "th" for thank, think, python (was reading about snakes!), ....

Where do you put your tongue in or out of your mouth?

Do you know of any web site with video explanation?

Any help is welcome. No matter how little it would seem to you; it's a lot to me.

[asterix]

Open your teeth about 5mm, put the tip of your tongue in that small space and blow air out briefly. (about 1/5th of a second)
If you do this and make an "uh" sound you will have said, "the".

[CP]

Also, the "soft" "th" sound is voiced: You make a sound when saying the "th" in "This, that, and the other."

The "hard" one is not voiced: No sound when saying the "th" in "Think, Thelonius, think!" And more air is forced out.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Lorikeet]

I'd also suggest looking in a mirror when you try to make the sound. It's not necessary (and even looks very strange!) to put your tongue way out of your mouth. It's just a little tip that is exposed.

[lotus]

Hi erik19283,

Try this site:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/frameset.html

Select consonants, manner, fricative. Then select the symbols that look like theta and sigma (second row). They are the two sounds for "th."


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[CP]

You are right to try to learn this difficult sound. Some people give up and just make the "d / t" or the "f / v" or the "s / z" sound instead of "th," but it never sounds right:

"Dat's what I taught" for "That's what I thought."

"Fanks for nuffing" instead of "Thanks for nothing."

"I sink zat is zuh sing I need" in place of "I think that is the thing I need."
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[ClarissaMach]

Lotus,

the website you posted is really great!


CP,

You're totally right! Brazilians tend to say things like "dat". I've been trying to correct my self repeating this dumb sentence: "the book is on the table" instead of "de book is on de table".

By the way, this "th" thing reminds me of that 1930's German movie "Der blaue engel", stared by Marlene Dietrich. There is a scene in which the professor tries to teach the boy how to pronounce the "th" sound. It's hilarious!
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Stormy Weather.

[lotus]

Hi Clarissa,

Americans do the same in formal and informal speech.

It's the (de) best.

It's the (de) bomb!

Careful speakers will always use proper pronunciation.


How about Steve Martin and "hamburger" in The Pink Panther!


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[ClarissaMach]

[erik19283]

Thank you all for you help!