Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese. 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 Portuguese speaker, you may notice that you naturally speak more quickly than most American speakers. This is because Portuguese is a faster language than American English. As a result, you may string many words on one breath, which may make it difficult for American English speakers to follow what you say.
3. Grammar in Portuguese is not the same as it is in American English. A good example of this is asking questions. In Portuguese, a question and a statement are formed in the same way, but the intonation is different. In American English, statements and questions are formed differently by putting the question word first, then the verb, followed by the subject.
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!
Being from a Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese. 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 Portuguese speaker, you may notice that you naturally speak more quickly than most American speakers. This is because Portuguese is a faster language than American English. As a result, you may string many words on one breath, which may make it difficult for American English speakers to follow what you say.
3. Grammar in Portuguese is not the same as it is in American English. A good example of this is asking questions. In Portuguese, a question and a statement are formed in the same way, but the intonation is different. In American English, statements and questions are formed differently by putting the question word first, then the verb, followed by the subject.
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!
Common Mispronunciations by Portuguese Speakers
Because your native language is Portuguese, you naturally will have difficulty pronouncing several American English sounds. You may notice that some are harder to learn than others. Here are a few sounds that you are most likely having difficulty pronouncing.
Because your native language is Portuguese, you naturally will have difficulty pronouncing several American English sounds. You may notice that some are harder to learn than others. Here are a few sounds that you are most likely having difficulty pronouncing.
1. The “z” sound is often pronounced like “s”
This sound may be very challenging for you because you naturally pronounce “z” in Portuguese like the American English “s” sound. In American English we form the "s" and "z" sounds the same; place the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth, but not touching them. Prolong the sound by making only very light contact with your tongue and roof of your mouth. The difference between the sounds is in what we call “voicing.” We use our voice to say “z” but don’t for “s.” The tricky part is that most of the time, the “z” sound in English is represented with the letter “s.”
When "z" sounds like "s":
The word “was” may sound like “wuss.”
The word “busy” may sound like “bissy.”
This sound may be very challenging for you because you naturally pronounce “z” in Portuguese like the American English “s” sound. In American English we form the "s" and "z" sounds the same; place the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth, but not touching them. Prolong the sound by making only very light contact with your tongue and roof of your mouth. The difference between the sounds is in what we call “voicing.” We use our voice to say “z” but don’t for “s.” The tricky part is that most of the time, the “z” sound in English is represented with the letter “s.”
When "z" sounds like "s":
The word “was” may sound like “wuss.”
The word “busy” may sound like “bissy.”
2. The voiced “th” sound is usually pronounced like “d”
Because you don't have the "th" sound in Portuguese, you may find that this sound is difficult to learn initially. To form this sound in American English you need to stick out your tongue in between your teeth. You should feel your top front teeth resting very gently on it. Keep your tongue and teeth in contact and push out your voice as you prolong the sound. You use your voice to say this sound, which means that if you place your hand on your throat when you say it, you should feel your vocal cords vibrate. You will also hear your voice.
When voiced "th" sounds like "d"
The word “the” may sound like “duh.”
The word “that” may sound like “dat.”
Because you don't have the "th" sound in Portuguese, you may find that this sound is difficult to learn initially. To form this sound in American English you need to stick out your tongue in between your teeth. You should feel your top front teeth resting very gently on it. Keep your tongue and teeth in contact and push out your voice as you prolong the sound. You use your voice to say this sound, which means that if you place your hand on your throat when you say it, you should feel your vocal cords vibrate. You will also hear your voice.
When voiced "th" sounds like "d"
The word “the” may sound like “duh.”
The word “that” may sound like “dat.”
3. The "p" sound is often pronounced like "b"
The "p" and "b" sounds are formed in exactly the same way in American English, except "p" does not use your voice and "b" does.
To form the "p" sound, place your lips together, hold your breath, and then force the air out of your mouth in a little explosion. This sound does not use your voice, which means that you should only hear a puff of air when you say it. If you place your hand on your throat when you say this sound, you should not feel any vibration.
When "p" sounds like "b"
The word "pay" will sound like "bay"
The word "pad" will sound like "bad"
The "p" and "b" sounds are formed in exactly the same way in American English, except "p" does not use your voice and "b" does.
To form the "p" sound, place your lips together, hold your breath, and then force the air out of your mouth in a little explosion. This sound does not use your voice, which means that you should only hear a puff of air when you say it. If you place your hand on your throat when you say this sound, you should not feel any vibration.
When "p" sounds like "b"
The word "pay" will sound like "bay"
The word "pad" will sound like "bad"
Accent reduction 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
