Spanish 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.
Because Spanish is your native language, there are specific differences between your how you currently speak English and standard American English. Some of these differences 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 reduction program may include. Other areas not included in this list may also be addressed, depending on your particular needs.
1. Spanish is a faster language than American English, so you are most likely used to speaking quickly. Combine that with an accent, and it may be very difficult for Americans to understand your speech. Speaking Your Best will teach you how to reduce your speaking rate so that you can speak at an appropriate rate for American English. We'll also show you how to maintain an appropriate rate in all speaking situations. This will be a very important part of your program.
2. There are several specific sounds in American English that you may have particular difficulty pronouncing. This is because you say them differently in your native language. In addition, you just don’t have some of these sounds in Spanish. In addition to pronouncing some sounds differently, you naturally may tend to omit sounds in words, especially the final sound. These are the sounds Speaking Your Best will teach you first. Speaking Your Best will evaluate your speech to determine which sounds are accented in your speech and work with you to help you master these sounds.
3. Spanish is a language of syllables, while American English is a language of stress. This means that when you speak Spanish, syllables tend to be stressed fairly equally, whereas in English, this is not the case. Our pitch goes up and down like a song to emphasize important words. Speaking Your Best will teach you the American English stressing and intonation patterns andhelp you “sing” in American English.
4. Spanish speakers often have difficulty with specific parts of speech in grammar, such as forming past tense and word order, for example. Because Speaking Your Best customizes each program, we will determine your current level of grammar proficiency and work with you to develop those parts of speech specific to your needs.
5. Spanish is a phonetic language, which means that every sound is pronounced. American English is quite different! You may be noticing that you try to apply phonetic rules for reading words in English the same way you would in Spanish, which may create mispronunciations of words.
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!
Because Spanish is your native language, there are specific differences between your how you currently speak English and standard American English. Some of these differences 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 reduction program may include. Other areas not included in this list may also be addressed, depending on your particular needs.
1. Spanish is a faster language than American English, so you are most likely used to speaking quickly. Combine that with an accent, and it may be very difficult for Americans to understand your speech. Speaking Your Best will teach you how to reduce your speaking rate so that you can speak at an appropriate rate for American English. We'll also show you how to maintain an appropriate rate in all speaking situations. This will be a very important part of your program.
2. There are several specific sounds in American English that you may have particular difficulty pronouncing. This is because you say them differently in your native language. In addition, you just don’t have some of these sounds in Spanish. In addition to pronouncing some sounds differently, you naturally may tend to omit sounds in words, especially the final sound. These are the sounds Speaking Your Best will teach you first. Speaking Your Best will evaluate your speech to determine which sounds are accented in your speech and work with you to help you master these sounds.
3. Spanish is a language of syllables, while American English is a language of stress. This means that when you speak Spanish, syllables tend to be stressed fairly equally, whereas in English, this is not the case. Our pitch goes up and down like a song to emphasize important words. Speaking Your Best will teach you the American English stressing and intonation patterns andhelp you “sing” in American English.
4. Spanish speakers often have difficulty with specific parts of speech in grammar, such as forming past tense and word order, for example. Because Speaking Your Best customizes each program, we will determine your current level of grammar proficiency and work with you to develop those parts of speech specific to your needs.
5. Spanish is a phonetic language, which means that every sound is pronounced. American English is quite different! You may be noticing that you try to apply phonetic rules for reading words in English the same way you would in Spanish, which may create mispronunciations of words.
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 Spanish Speakers
1. The “b” and “v” sounds are often confused
You may notice that you pronounce “b” like “v” and “v” like “b.” These are important sounds to practice and master.
To form the "b" sound, place your lips together, then force out the sound.
When "b" sounds like "v"
The word "boat" sounds like "vote"
The word "bet" sounds like "vet"
You may notice that you pronounce “b” like “v” and “v” like “b.” These are important sounds to practice and master.
To form the "b" sound, place your lips together, then force out the sound.
When "b" sounds like "v"
The word "boat" sounds like "vote"
The word "bet" sounds like "vet"
For the "v", you will need to lightly bite your lower lip and continue the sound so that you can feel your lower lip vibrate.
The word “vet” may sound like “bet.”
The word “boat” may sound like “vote.”
The word “vet” may sound like “bet.”
The word “boat” may sound like “vote.”
2. The “sh” and “ch” sounds are often confused
The “sh” and “ch” sounds are often interchanged in words. The difference between these two sounds is this: The "ch" is actually made up of two sounds: "t" and "sh." For this sound, you will need to remember to begin by placing the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth; then finish with "sh." Pay special attention to learning how to hear and feel the difference between these two sounds.
The "sh" sound still begins with the tip of your tongue near the spot for the "t" sound, however you continue this sound.
When "sh" and "ch" are changed:
The word “sheep” may sound like “cheap.”
The word “chop” may sound like “shop.”
The “sh” and “ch” sounds are often interchanged in words. The difference between these two sounds is this: The "ch" is actually made up of two sounds: "t" and "sh." For this sound, you will need to remember to begin by placing the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth; then finish with "sh." Pay special attention to learning how to hear and feel the difference between these two sounds.
The "sh" sound still begins with the tip of your tongue near the spot for the "t" sound, however you continue this sound.
When "sh" and "ch" are changed:
The word “sheep” may sound like “cheap.”
The word “chop” may sound like “shop.”
3. The “z” sound is pronounced like “s”
This sound may be very challenging for you because you naturally pronounce “z” in Spanish like the American English “s” sound. 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.” Devote a lot of time to this sound.
Let’s look at how it can affect your English.
The word “was” may sound like “wuss.”
The word “busy” may sound like “bissy.”
The word “zoo” sounds like “Sue.”
This sound may be very challenging for you because you naturally pronounce “z” in Spanish like the American English “s” sound. 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.” Devote a lot of time to this sound.
Let’s look at how it can affect your English.
The word “was” may sound like “wuss.”
The word “busy” may sound like “bissy.”
The word “zoo” sounds like “Sue.”
