English Pronunciation Secrets - 5 Tips to Improve English Pronunciation

英语发音秘密 — 提升英语发音的5个技巧

Hi, I'm Oli.

嗨，我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English.

欢迎来到Oxford Online English。

In this pronunciation lesson, you can see everything you need to think about in order

在本节发音课程，您可以看到 为了正确地念一句英语句子

to pronounce one English sentence correctly.

您需要考虑的每一件事情。

You’ll see that there’s a lot to think about, even in just one sentence!

您会看到有大量要考虑的， 甚至只是在一个句子里！

Let's look at our example: Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went

我们来看看我们的例子：Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went

as smoothly as anyone could expect.

as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Try reading the sentence.

试着念句子。

Is it difficult?

它难吗？

Easy?

容易吗？

Let’s see what you need to think about to pronounce this sentence naturally and clearly.

我们来看看要自然地、清晰地念 这个句子，您要考虑什么。

The most basic thing to get right is the sounds.

要正确的最基本的事情是音。

Depending on what language you speak, you might find some English sounds more difficult

那取决于您讲什么语言，您也许 发现一些英语的声音

to pronounce than others.

比其他的更难。

In this sentence, which sounds do you find most difficult to pronounce?

在这句里，您觉得哪一个 音是最难念的？

‘Th’ sounds are difficult for many English learners.

“Th”音对很多英语学生 来说是难的。

So, you might need to pay extra attention to the /ð/ sounds in although and smoothly,

所以，您也许需要在“although” 和“smoothly”额外注意

and the /θ/ sound in everything.

/ð/音，以及/θ/音。

What else?

其他的呢？

Some vowel sounds can be challenging, like the /əʊ/ sound in although, or the /ɛː/

一些元音的音可以是挑战性的，像是 在“although”里的/əʊ/音，

sound in perfectly.

或者在“perfectly”里的/ɛː/音。

Finally, pronouncing sounds right isn’t just about pronouncing single sounds.

最后，念对英语的音不止 是关于念单个音。

Sometimes, sounds which are easy to pronounce by themselves can become a problem when you

有时，自身容易念的音 在您要和其他音

have to combine them with other sounds.

组合在一起念时会成为问题。

Again, which combinations are easy or difficult for you will depend on your native language.

同样，合在一起念的音对您是容易 还是难会取决于您的母语。

For many English learners, the combination of /ð/ and /əʊ/ in although is difficult.

对很多英语学生来说，在“although”里的 /ð/和/əʊ/组合是难的。

Although

Although

Although

Although

Consonant combinations, like the ‘pl’ in planned or the ‘xp’ in expect, are

辅音组合，像是“planned”里的“pl”， 或者是在“expect”里的“xp”，

also challenging for some English learners.

也对一些英语学生来说是一个挑战。

Planned

Planned

Expect

Expect

Now, you have a job to do.

现在，您有一个功课要做。

Read the sentence aloud two or three times.

大声地读句子两次或三次。

Find the sounds or sound combinations which are most difficult for you.

找到对您来说是最难的 音或音的组合。

You can pause the video and do this now.

您可以暂停视频，现在做这个。

When you know which sounds you need to practice, start by just practicing the sound.

当您知道哪一个音您需要去练习时， 开始只练习音。

For example, if you chose the /ð/ sound, like the ‘th’ in smoothly, then start

例如，如果您选择/ð/音， 像是“smoothly”里的“th”，

by just practicing the sound.

那么开始只练习音。

/ð/

/ð/

Then, take a short word with the sound, like the, or this.

然后，拿一个有这个音的短 单词，像是"the“或”this“。

Say the words several times to practice.

说单词几次来练习。

Focus on getting the sound right.

重点关注发出正确的音。

Start slowly until you’re sure you can pronounce it correctly.

慢一点开始，知道您确信您可以 正确地念它。

Finally, practice with longer words, like smoothly, although or brother.

最后，用较长的单词练习，像是 ”smoothly“、”although“或”brother“。

Again, say the words several times, and start slowly to make sure you get the sounds right.

同样，说单词几次，慢点开始，确定 您发音正确。

In this way, you can improve your pronunciation of English sounds which are difficult for

用这种方式，您可以提高对您 来说是难的英语

you.

的音的发音。

Next, let’s talk about stress and prominence.

接下来，我们谈论重音和相对突显的音。

I’m guessing that most of you know what stress is, but some of you might be thinking:

我猜你们大部分人都知道重音是什么， 但是你们有人可能会在想：

what’s prominence?

什么是相对突显的音？

Prominence is similar to stress, but I’m going to use a different name because it’s

“Prominence”与重音类似，但是，我 要用不同的名字，因为

not exactly the same, and I think it’s useful for you to remember that these are two different

它并非是完全一样的，我认为 记住这些是两个不同的事情

things.

对您来说是有用的。

Stress is found in words which have more than one syllable.

重音是在多于一个 音节的单词里。

For example, in the word everything, the stress is on the first ‘e’.

例如，在单词“everything”， 重音是在第一个“e”。

Everything

Everything

Everything

Everything

In the word expect, the stress is on the second ‘e’.

在单词“expect”，重音 是在第二个“e”。

Expect

Expect

Expect

Expect

Now, you can see the stress in the other words of the sentence:

现在，您能看到在句子里 其他单词上的重音：

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Stress is fixed; it doesn’t change.

重音是固定的，它没有改变。

The stress in expect is always on the second ‘e’.

“expect”的重音总是在第二个“e”。

Every time you say expect, you need to put stress in the same place.

每次您说“expect”，您需要把重音 放在相同的地方。

So, what about prominence?

那么，“prominence”呢？

Prominence means that the key words and ideas in a sentence are emphasised.

“Prominence”意思是在一个句子里被 强调的关键单词和概念。

It’s similar to stress, because you’re pronouncing some words and syllables more

那是类似于“stress”的，因为您 在念一些单词和

strongly than others.

音节时比其他更强。

However, it’s different to stress, because it’s not fixed.

然而，它与重音是不同的， 因为它是不固定的。

Prominence depends on the sentence and the situation.

相对突显的音取决于 句子和环境。

The same sentence can have different prominent words depending on the speaker, or on the

相同的句子根据讲述者、或所处 的环境可以有不同的

situation.

”prominent“单词。

Also, words which have one syllable don’t have stress, but they can have prominence.

同样，只有一个音节的单词没有重音， 但是他们能有相对突出的音。

For example, all could be prominent in our example sentence.

例如，”all“可以在我们的例句里 是相对突显的音。

You heard before that the prominent words in a sentence are the most important words

您之前听到在句子有相对突显音 的单词是最重要的

and ideas.

单词和概念。

The prominent words are the words that carry the meaning of the sentence.

有相对突显音的单词是 携带句子意思的单词。

So, look at our sentence again.

所以，再看看我们的句子。

Which words do you think will be prominent?

您认为哪一个单词会是有相对突显音的？

Think about it, and even if you’re not sure, take a guess!

考虑它，即使您不 确定，猜一下！

It doesn’t matter if you get it wrong.

如果您做错了，没事。

Pause the video if you want more thinking time.

如果您想花更多的时间， 暂停视频。

Here’s my suggestion.

这里是我的建议。

Although we HADN'T PLANNED EVERYTHING PERFECTLY, it ALL went as SMOOTHLY as ANYONE could EXPECT.

Although we HADN'T PLANNED EVERYTHING PERFECTLY, it ALL went as SMOOTHLY as ANYONE could EXPECT.

Because prominence is flexible, this is only a suggestion.

因为相对突显音是灵活的， 这只是一个建议。

If you want to emphasise different points, you might make some words more prominent.

如果您想强调不同的重点， 您也许让一些单词有更突显的音。

For example:

例如：

Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Or, although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

或者，although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Or, although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

或者，although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Which is right?

哪一个是对的？

They all are!

他们都对！

It depends on what you want to say.

那取决于您想说什么。

This shows you another point: prominence can have different levels.

这告诉您另一个重点：相对突显音 可以有不同的等级。

Some words can be more prominent than others; you can have different levels of prominence

一些单词的音可以是比其他的更突显； 您可以在一个句子里有

in a sentence.

不同等级的相对突显音。

Stress and prominence are both essential for your English pronunciation.

重音和相对突显音两者对您的 英语发音都是必要的。

When I meet English learners, I generally have no problems understanding people if they

当我遇到一些英语学生，如果他们 有一些发音错误，我

make some mistakes with sounds.

理解他们通常没有问题。

But, if someone makes mistakes with stress, it can be really hard to understand them.

但是，如果有人在重音上犯错， 要理解它们真的很难。

Think of stress and prominence as two layers over the sentence.

重音和相对突显音当做两层来 考量贯穿全句。

The first layer is the stress, which is fixed.

第一层是重音，那是固定的。

The second layer is the prominence, which is flexible.

第二层是相对突显音， 那是灵活的。

You need to pronounce both together:

您要两者合并发音：

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

The prominence might change, but the stress stays the same:

相对突显音也许会改变, 但是重音不会变：

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Try reading the sentence in different ways.

试着用不同的方式念句子。

Change the prominent words.

改变相对突显音的单词。

Also, think about a question: how does changing the prominence change the meaning?

同样，考虑一个问题：改变相对突显音 会怎样改变意思？

Why would you make some words prominent and not others?

为什么您给一些单词有相对突显音， 而另一些没有？

That’s a question to think about: there are many possible answers.

那是一个要考虑的问题： 有很多可能的答案。

It’s enough for now just to think about these ideas.

现在只考虑这些 想法是足够了的。

This will already help your English pronunciation!

这已经会对您的英语发音有帮助！

Next, you’re going to think about weak forms.

接下来，您要考虑弱音形式。

Weak forms are words which have a different pronunciation when they aren’t prominent.

弱音形式是在单词不是相对突显音时 有的不同的发音形式。

For example, look at the word as.

例如，看看单词“as”。

There are two.

有两个。

These words aren’t prominent, and the pronunciation in this sentence will change.

这些单词不是相对突显音， 在句中的发音会改变。

It’s not /æz/; it’s /əz/.

它不是/æz/；它是/əz/。

Which other words in our sentence have weak forms?

在我们的句子里其他 哪些单词有弱音？

Do you know?

您知道吗？

Could is definitely weak.

“Could”肯定是弱音。

Its pronunciation changes from /kʊd/ to /kəd/.

它的发音从/kʊd/改变成/kəd/。

There are other words which might be weak forms.

有其他可能是弱音形式的单词。

There’s a grey area where it’s hard to say if a word is definitely a weak form or

有一个灰色区域，那很难说一个单词 肯定是一个弱音形式，

not.

或不是。

For example, if you say the sentence very fast, the pronunciation of we might change

例如，如果您讲句子很快， “we”的发音也许从

from /wiː/ to /wɪ/.

/wiː/改变成/wɪ/。

The pronunciation of hadn’t might change from /hædnt/ to /hədnt/.

“hadn’t”的发音也许从 /hædnt/改变成/hədnt/。

However, these changes don’t always happen.

然而，并非总是发生这些改变。

You’ll only use these weak forms if you’re speaking really fast.

如果您在讲得真的很快， 您才会使用这些弱音形式。

For now, focus on the words which are definitely weak forms: as, as, and could.

至于目前，聚焦在那些肯定是弱音形式的单词： as、as和could。

Let’s read the sentence with the weak forms:

我们来念有弱音形式的句子：

Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went /əz/ smoothly /əz/ anyone /kəd/

Although we hadn’t planned everything perfectly, it all went /əz/ smoothly /əz/ anyone /kəd/

expect.

expect.

Weak forms are closely connected to stress and prominence.

弱音形式是紧挨着重音 和相对突出音的。

To sound natural in English, you need a clear contrast between syllables which are stressed

要英语听起来自然，您需要一个在重音 音节和弱音音节之间或重音

and syllables which are weak or unstressed.

音节与非重音音节之间的清晰对比。

Here’s a tip: make the contrast as clear as possible.

这是一个技巧：尽可能地 使对比清晰。

To do this, pronounce the stressed and prominent syllables more strongly and clearly.

要做这个，重音音节和相对突显音的音节的 发音要更强和更清晰。

Pronounce the weak and unstressed syllables as fast as you can:

尽可能快地发弱音音节和 非重音音节的音：

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

You can hear that this contrast between stressed and unstressed gives the sentence a rhythm.

您能听到重音和非重音之间的 对比给了句子一个节奏。

This rhythm is very important if you want to sound natural in English.

如果您想英语听起来自然， 这个节奏很重要。

There’s another point which is important for the rhythm of the sentence: intonation.

有另一个对句子的节奏 很重要的重点：语调。

Intonation is how your voice moves up and down as you talk: whether your voice goes

语调是当您讲话时您的声音 怎样上下移动：您的声音

higher or lower.

更高或是更低。

The easiest way to get the intonation right is simply to listen and try to copy it.

要语调正确的最容易的方式是 简单地听，然后模仿它。

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

For some of you, that might be enough.

对你们其中一些人来说， 那也许是足够了。

However, in case you need more help, let’s look at the intonation of this sentence in

然而，在您需要更多帮助的情况下， 我们来看看这个句子

more detail.

语调的更多细节。

There are six basic intonation patterns in English: high, low, rising, falling, falling-rising

英语有六个基本的语调结构： 高、低、升调、降调、

and rising-falling.

由降至升以及由升至降。

Each of these can be used in different ways.

它们中的每一种能以不同方式使用。

For example, rising-falling intonation can be used to show excitement, surprise, or anger.

例如，由升至降的语调能用于 表达激动、吃惊或愤怒。

Also, like prominence, intonation isn’t fixed.

同样，像是相对突显音那样， 语调不是固定的。

Remember this point, because what I’ll show you is not the only possibility.

记住这个重点，因为我会展示给您的 并非唯一的可能性。

First: you generally need a rising tone to show that your sentence is not finished.

首先：您一般来说需要一个升调来 表明您的句子没有结束。

That means perfectly gets a rising intonation.

那意思是“perfectly”有一个升调。

To get this right, you need to start moving gradually upwards from the beginning of the

要正确地得到这个语调，您需要从 句子的开头就开始逐步地

sentence.

上移语调。

Start with a falling-rising tone on although, then move upwards in small steps.

在“although”用一个由降至升的调开始， 然后慢慢地语调上移。

Then, make a bigger move upwards on perfectly.

然后，做一个较大的上升移动到达“perfectly”。

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly...

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly...

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly...

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly...

In the second half of the sentence, you need to do the opposite.

在句子的后半句， 您需要做相反的事情。

You use a falling tone to show that your sentence is finished.

您用一个降调来表明 您的句子结束了。

So, expect needs a falling tone.

所以，“expect”需要一个降调。

Again, start moving down in small steps from the start of the clause.

同样，从这一段的开头 开始慢慢地下降移动。

Then, make a bigger move downwards on expect.

然后，做一个较大的下降移动到达 “expect”。

...it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

...it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

...it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

...it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

You need to think about two things here.

在这里，您要考虑两件事情。

Firstly, your intonation should move on every prominent word, but not on words which are

首先，您的语调应当在每一个相对突显 音单词移动，但是，不在

not prominent.

非相对突显音单词移动。

That means you need to move from low to high on everything—not much, but a little bit.

那意思是您要在“everything”从低到高移动 — 不要太多，而是一点点。

You need to move from high to low on smoothly—again, not a big movement.

您要在“smoothly”从高到低移动 — 同样，不是一个大的移动。

Secondly, the last word of the clause should have a much bigger movement.

其次，这段话的最后一个单词应当 有一个更大的移动。

On perfectly, you also move low to high, but it’s a much bigger movement than on everything,

在“perfectly”，您也从低到高移动，但是， 那是一个比在“everything”上或者在

or other prominent words in the first clause.

前段话里的其他相对突显音单词上更大的移动。

The same is true in the second clause.

在第二段话也一样。

You need a much bigger intonation change on expect.

您需要在“expect”有一个 更大的语调改变。

Let's try the whole sentence.

我们来试一下整句话。

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

One more time.

再来一次。

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Although we hadn't planned everything perfectly, it all went as smoothly as anyone could expect.

Remember that intonation is flexible.

记住语调是灵活的。

If you change the prominent words, or emphasise different points, then the intonation will

如果您改变相对突显音的单词， 或者强调不同的重点，

also change.

那么，语调也会改变。

This is the basic, ‘neutral’ intonation.

这是基本的、“neutral”语调。

Wow!

喔！

So much to think about for just one sentence.

就一个句子有太多要考虑的了。

Let’s look at one final point.

我们来看最后一个重点。

Linking means how you pronounce two words together as one continuous sound.

连读意思是您怎样把两个单词合在 一起发成一个连续的音。

For example, if one word ends with a consonant sound, and the next word begins with the same

例如，如果一个单词以一个辅音 结尾，而下一个单词以同一个音

or a similar sound, you can link the sounds together, like this: as_smoothly.

或类似的音开头，您可以把两个音 合在一起，像是：as_smoothly.

If one word ends with a consonant sound, and the next word starts with a vowel sound, you

如果一个单词以一个辅音结尾， 而下一个单词以元音开头，

can link the sounds together, like this: planned_everything.

您可以把两个音合在一起，像是 这个：planned_everything.

Can you find any other places in our sentence where you could link words?

您能在我们的句子里找到任何其他的 能连读单词的地方吗？

Pause the video and think about it.

暂停视屏，考虑一下。

You could also link:

您也可以连读：

it_all went_as

it_all went_as

as_anyone could_expect

as_anyone could_expect

Generally, when you speak English, you should connect words as much as possible.

一般来说，在您念英语时，您应该 尽可能地连接单词。

Connecting words together will make your speaking more fluent and natural-sounding.

把单词连在一起读会让您的口语 更流利并听起来自然。

Thinking about linking will help you to do this.

考虑连读会帮您做这个。

Let’s practice reading the sentence again, focusing on the links:

我们再来练习读句子， 聚焦在连读：

Although we hadn’t planned_everything perfectly, it_all went_as_smoothly as_anyone could_expect.

Although we hadn’t planned_everything perfectly, it_all went_as_smoothly as_anyone could_expect.

One more time: Although we hadn’t planned_everything perfectly, it_all went_as_smoothly as_anyone

再念一次： Although we hadn’t planned_everything perfectly, it_all went_as_smoothly as_anyone

could_expect.

could_expect.

You can see that there’s a lot to think about when you pronounce even one sentence

您能看到甚至是在您念一个 英语句子时有很多

in English!

要考虑的！

Actually, there are even more points, but the things you’ve seen in this lesson are

实际上，有更多的重点，但是， 您在本节课里看到的是

the most important.

最重要的。

If you can master these, your English will sound clear, natural and fluent!

如果您熟练这个，您的英语会听起来 清晰、自然且流利！

I have a question for you.

我有一个问题给您。

Which pronunciation point from the lesson do you find most challenging?

您有发现课程里面的哪一个发音 重点是最有挑战性的？

Please let us know in the comments!

请写在评论栏里让我们知道。

Don't forget that you can see more of our free English lessons on our website: Oxford

不要忘了您可以在我们的网站上看 我们更多的免费英语课程：Oxford

Online English.com.

Online English.com.

Thanks for watching and see you next time!

感谢观看，下次见！