Chinese Accent Reduction Made Easy
Every language has its own sound system, grammar rules and intonation patterns which makes it unique. Learning a new language means incorporating new sounds, new intonation patterns, grammar rules, as well as other skills, so that you can become an effective communicator.
Being from a Chinese background, there are specific differences between your native language and standard American English. Some of these difference may not significantly impact your ability to be understood by Americans, while others may make a tremendous difference in your speech.
The areas listed below are a few examples of general areas your accent modification program may include. Other areas not included in this list may also be addressed, depending on your particular needs.
1. Because Chinese is your native language, you naturally pronounce some sounds differently than American English speakers do. In addition, there are some American English sounds that you just don’t have in Chinese. These are the sounds that you will be working toward mastering. Speaking Your Best will evaluate your speech to determine which sounds you have difficulty with and plan your program according to your specific needs.
2. As a native Chinese speaker, you may notice that you tend to speak with a flatter pitch than native American English speakers do. This is because your "song" when you speak is different from that of American English. A very important part of speaking American English is learning how to make your pitch go up and down in the correct way so that you can “sing” in English.
3. Grammar in Chinese is not the same as it is in American English. Because you do not have pronouns and articles, these parts of speech are most likely difficult for you. In addition, you form tenses differently. For this reason, you may be having problems forming past tense, and present tense in American English. Your program may include both oral and written grammar, depending on your needs. Speaking Your Best will determine current level of grammar skills and work with you to help you develop the grammar skills you need to succeed at your job and in your personal life.
4. Americans use expressions and idioms constantly! You may find that you often don’t understand what people are saying because they use so many expressions. While it would be impossible to learn them all, Speaking Your Best will teach you the expressions you will most likely hear in different speaking situations so that you will understand what Americans are really talking about!
5. American English consists of linking words together unless it is an appropriate time to pause. Right now, you may be separating your words often when you speak, so that it does not flow smoothly. Speaking Your Best will teach you how to speak smoothly, when it is appropriate to pause, and how to do it.
Accent modification courses with Speaking Your Best are customized to meet the specific needs you have and are designed to help you become an effective communicator in all speaking situations. Contact us today and learn how you can be a success by speaking your best!
Common Mispronunciations for Chinese Speakers
Because your native language is Chinese, some of the sounds that you are most likely having difficulty pronouncing include the following:
Because your native language is Chinese, some of the sounds that you are most likely having difficulty pronouncing include the following:
1. The “l” may sound like “oh” at the ends of words
You are most likely pronouncing the “l” sound correctly at the beginning and in the middle of words, such as “lake” and “balloon.” Pronouncing the “l” sound at the ends of words can be particularly challenging.
You may be putting your lips in a circle and saying "oh" for this sound. In American English, the "l" is formed by keeping your lips flat and putting the tip of the tongue behind the upper front teeth.
When "l" sounds like "oh":
The word “pail” will sound like “pay-oh”.
The word “ball” will sound like “baw-oh”
You are most likely pronouncing the “l” sound correctly at the beginning and in the middle of words, such as “lake” and “balloon.” Pronouncing the “l” sound at the ends of words can be particularly challenging.
You may be putting your lips in a circle and saying "oh" for this sound. In American English, the "l" is formed by keeping your lips flat and putting the tip of the tongue behind the upper front teeth.
When "l" sounds like "oh":
The word “pail” will sound like “pay-oh”.
The word “ball” will sound like “baw-oh”
2. The "r" sound is often distorted or sounds like "l"
The "r" and "l" sounds belong to the same family of consonants, but are formed very differently. For most Chinese speakers, the "r" is very challenging to pronounce correctly in American English. Right now, you are most likely raising the tip of your tongue up so that it either touches the roof of your mouth or is curled back and brushes against the roof of your mouth.
To form the "r" sound, you will need to change the way you position your lips and tongue. Instead of keeping your lips flat, you will need to make a circle with your lips. Instead of having your tongue tip do all the work, it is the middle of the tongue that is actually used.
When "r" sounds like 'l":
The word "red" sounds like "led"
The word "around" sounds like "uh-lound"
The "r" and "l" sounds belong to the same family of consonants, but are formed very differently. For most Chinese speakers, the "r" is very challenging to pronounce correctly in American English. Right now, you are most likely raising the tip of your tongue up so that it either touches the roof of your mouth or is curled back and brushes against the roof of your mouth.
To form the "r" sound, you will need to change the way you position your lips and tongue. Instead of keeping your lips flat, you will need to make a circle with your lips. Instead of having your tongue tip do all the work, it is the middle of the tongue that is actually used.
When "r" sounds like 'l":
The word "red" sounds like "led"
The word "around" sounds like "uh-lound"
3. The “ih sound is often pronounced like “ee”
These sounds are both made with the front of the tongue and are often difficult to distinguish. Right now, you are most likely pronouncing "ih" like "ee." This is because are tensing your tongue and your mouth. What happens is that your tongue ends up very high in your mouth, so that the sides of your tongue are pressing against your upper side teeth.
To pronounce the “ih” sound, your mouth should feel relaxed and your lips should be flat. Your tongue should be raised about half way up inside your mouth and should not be pressing against your upper side teeth.
When "ih" sounds like "ee":
The word “sit” will sound like “seat"
The word “pill” will sound like “pee-oh"
These sounds are both made with the front of the tongue and are often difficult to distinguish. Right now, you are most likely pronouncing "ih" like "ee." This is because are tensing your tongue and your mouth. What happens is that your tongue ends up very high in your mouth, so that the sides of your tongue are pressing against your upper side teeth.
To pronounce the “ih” sound, your mouth should feel relaxed and your lips should be flat. Your tongue should be raised about half way up inside your mouth and should not be pressing against your upper side teeth.
When "ih" sounds like "ee":
The word “sit” will sound like “seat"
The word “pill” will sound like “pee-oh"
