Day 5 - Glottal Stop - Understanding Fast Speech in English

Hello and welcome to Day 5.

I know that listening to fast speech can be a challenge,

but I'm here to remind you --

Don't say, "I can't." Only say, "I can."

English with Jennifer

Americans often use a glottal stop with a final T,

as I did with the words "don't" and "can't."

A glottal stop is made when we cut off the sound in our throat.

If you can say "uh-oh" and "uh-uh,"

you can make a glottal stop.

It's more important to understand it than make it.

There is a difference -- and I want you to hear it --

the difference between a true T and the glottal stop.

Don't

Can't

So when will you hear a glottal stop?

Well, when T is at the end of a sentence or phrase, as in...

When T comes before a pause, as in...

A final T before another consonant can happen

at the end of a syllable or the end of a word.

For example, people might complain about having a potbelly.

Someone might ask you, "Won't you join me?"

Let me say those examples again with slow, careful speech.

I'll use a true T, so you can compare.

Potbelly.

Won't you join me?

But that doesn't sound very natural, does it?

Let me say them a final time with a glottal stop.

Potbelly.

Won't you join me?

We'll also use a glottal stop

with a T before an unstressed N sound.

Here are three examples:

Let me say them slowly with a true T, so you can compare.

But in everyday speech, you'll hear...

Listen closely.

I'll say a sentence,

and you try to understand.

That's all for now.

Thanks for watching and happy studies!