English Pronunciation Secrets - 5 Tips to Improve English Pronunciation

英文發音秘密 — 英文發音進階的5個技巧

Hi, I'm Oli.

嗨，我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English.

歡迎來到Oxford Online English。

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

在本節發音教學課程，您可以看到 為了正確地唸一句英文句子

to pronounce one English sentence correctly.

您需要考慮的每一件事。

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

您會看到有很多要考慮的， 甚至只是在一個句子裡！

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

我們來看看我們的例子：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.

試一下唸句子。

Is it difficult?

它難嗎？

Easy?

容易嗎？

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

我們來看看要自然地、清晰地 唸這個句子，您要考慮什麼。

The most basic thing to get right is the sounds.

要做對的最基礎事情是音。

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

根據您講什麼語言，您或許 發現一些英文的音

to pronounce than others.

比其他的更難。

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

在這個句子裡，您認為哪一個 音是最難唸的？

‘Th’ sounds are difficult for many English learners.

對很多英文學生來說， “Th”音是難的。

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

所以，您也許需要在“although” 和“smoothly”額外注意

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/

一些母音的音可以是挑戰性的，像是 在“although”裡的/əʊ/音，

sound in perfectly.

或者在“perfectly”裡的/ɛː/音。

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

最後，唸對英文的音不僅 與唸單個音有關。

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

有時，自身容易唸的音 在您要和其他音

have to combine them with other sounds.

搭配在一起唸時會成為問題。

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

同樣，合在一起唸的音對您是容易 還是難會取決於您的母語。

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

對很多英文學生來說，在“although”裡的 /ð/和/əʊ/組合是難的。

Although

Although

Although

Although

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

輔音組合，像是“planned”裡的“pl”， 或者是在“expect”裡的“xp”，

also challenging for some English learners.

也對一些英文學生來說是一個挑戰。

Planned

Planned

Expect

Expect

Now, you have a job to do.

現在，您有一個功課要做。

Read the sentence aloud two or three times.

大聲地唸句子兩次或三次。

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

找到對您來說是最難的 音或音的組合。

You can pause the video and do this now.

您可以暫停影片，現在做這個。

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

當您知道哪一個音您要去練習時， 開始只練習那個音。

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

例如，如果您選擇/ð/音， 像是“smoothly”裡的“th”，

by just practicing the sound.

那麼開始只練習音

/ð/

/ð/。

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

然後，拿一個有這個音的 短單字，像是"the“或”this“。

Say the words several times to practice.

說單字幾次來練習。

Focus on getting the sound right.

重點關注發出正確的音。

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

慢一點開始，知道您確信您可以 正確地唸它。

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

最後，用較長的單字練習，像是 ”smoothly“、”although“或”brother“。

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

同樣，說單字幾次，慢點 開始，確定您發音正確。

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

用這種方式，您可以提高對您 來說是難的英文

you.

的發音。

Next, let’s talk about stress and prominence.

接下來，我們談論重音和相對突顯音。

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

我猜你們大部分人都知道重音是什麼， 但是你們有人可能會在想：

what’s prominence?

什麼是相對突顯音？

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

“Prominence”與重音類似，但是，我 要用不同的名稱，因為

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

它並非完全一樣的，我認為 記住這些是兩件不同的事情

things.

對您來說是有用的。

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

重音存在於有兩個 或兩個以上音節的單字裡。

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

例如，在單字“everything”， 重音是在第一個“e”。

Everything

Everything

Everything

Everything

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

在單字“expect”，重音 是在第二個“e”。

Expect

Expect

Expect

Expect

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

現在，您能看到在句子裡 其他單字的重音：

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，它沒有改變。

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

“expect”的重音總是在第二個“e”。

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

每次您說“expect”，您需要把重音 放在相同的地方。

So, what about prominence?

那麼，“prominence”呢？

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

“Prominence”意思是在一個句子裡 要強調的關鍵單字和概念。

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

那是類似於“stress”的，因為您 在唸一些單字和

strongly than others.

音節時比其他的更強。

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

然而，它與重音是不同的， 因為它是不固定的。

Prominence depends on the sentence and the situation.

相對突顯音取決於 句子和環境。

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

相同的句子依據講述者、或所處 的環境可以有不同的

situation.

”prominent“單字。

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

同樣，只有一個音節的單字沒有重音， 但是，它們可以有相對突顯音。

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

例如，”all“可以在我們的例句裡 是相對突顯音。

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

您之前聽到在句子裡有相對突顯音的 單字是最重要的

and ideas.

單字和概念。

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

有相對突顯音的單字是 攜帶句子意思的單字。

So, look at our sentence again.

所以，再看看我們的句子。

Which words do you think will be prominent?

您認為哪一個單字會是有相對突顯音的？

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

想想它，即使您不 確定，猜一下！

It doesn’t matter if you get it wrong.

如果您做錯了，沒關係。

Pause the video if you want more thinking time.

如果您需要更多的時間， 暫停影片。

Here’s my suggestion.

這裡是我的建議。

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.

因為相對突顯音是靈活的， 這只是一個建議。

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

如果您想強調不同的重點， 您也許更突顯一些單字。

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?

哪一個是對的？

They all are!

它們都對！

It depends on what you want to say.

那取決於您想說什麼。

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

這告訴您另一個重點：相對突顯音 可以有不同的階等。

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

一些單字的音可以比其他的更突顯； 您可以在一個句子裡有

in a sentence.

不同階等的相對突顯音。

Stress and prominence are both essential for your English pronunciation.

重音和相對突顯音兩者對您的 英文發音都是必要的。

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

當我遇到一些英文學生，如果他們 有一些發音錯誤，我

make some mistakes with sounds.

理解他們通常沒有問題。

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錯誤， 要理解他們真的很難。

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

重音和相對突顯音作為兩個層面 來考量要貫穿整句。

The first layer is the stress, which is fixed.

第一層是重音，那是固定的。

The second layer is the prominence, which is flexible.

第二層是相對突顯音， 那是靈活的。

You need to pronounce both together:

您要兩者合併發音：

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:

相對突顯音也許會改變, 但是，重音不會改變：

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.

試著用不同的方式唸句子。

Change the prominent words.

改變相對突顯音的單字。

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

同樣，考慮一個問題：改變相對突顯音 會怎樣改變意思？

Why would you make some words prominent and not others?

為什麼您給一些單字有相對突顯音， 而另一些則沒有？

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

那是一個要考慮的問題： 有很多可能的答案。

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

現在，只考慮這些 概念是足夠了。

This will already help your English pronunciation!

這已經會對您的英文發音有幫助！

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

接下來，您要考慮弱音形式。

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

弱音形式是當單字不是相對突顯音時 有的不同的發音形式。

For example, look at the word as.

例如，看看單字“as”。

There are two.

有兩個。

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

這些單字不是相對突顯音， 在句子裡的發音會改變。

It’s not /æz/; it’s /əz/.

它不是/æz/；它是/əz/。

Which other words in our sentence have weak forms?

在我們的句子裡，其他 哪一些單字有弱音？

Do you know?

您知道嗎？

Could is definitely weak.

“Could”肯定是弱音。

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

它的發音從/kʊd/改變為/kəd/。

There are other words which might be weak forms.

有其他可能是弱音形式的單字。

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

有一個灰色區域，那很難說一個單字 肯定是一個弱音形式，

not.

或不是。

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

例如，如果您講句子很快， “we”的發音也可能從

from /wiː/ to /wɪ/.

/wiː/改變為/wɪ/。

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

“hadn’t”的發音也能從 /hædnt/改變為/hədnt/。

However, these changes don’t always happen.

然而，並非總是發生這些改變。

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

如果您講得真的很快， 您才會使用這些弱音形式。

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

至於目前，聚焦在那些肯定是弱音 形式的單字：as、as和could。

Let’s read the sentence with the weak forms:

我們來唸有弱音形式的句子：

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.

弱音形式是緊挨著重音 和相對突出音的。

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

英文要聽起來自然，您需要一個在重音 音節和弱音音節之間，或重音

and syllables which are weak or unstressed.

音節與非重音音節之間的清晰對比。

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

這是一個技巧：對比 儘可能地清晰。

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

要做這個，重音音節和相對突顯音 的音節發音要更強和更清晰。

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

儘可能快地唸弱音音節和 非重音音節的音：

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.

您能聽到重音和非重音之間的 對比給了句子一個節奏。

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

如果您想英文聽起來自然， 這個節奏很重要。

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

有另一個對句子節奏 很重要的重點：語調。

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

語調是當您講話時，您的聲音 怎樣上下移動：您的聲音

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.

要語調正確的最容易的方式是 簡單地聽，然後模仿它。

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.

對你們其中一些人來說， 那可能是足夠了。

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

然而，在您需要更多幫助的情形下， 我們來看看這個句子

more detail.

語調的更多細節。

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

英文有六個基礎的語調結構： 高、低、升調、降調、

and rising-falling.

由降至升，以及由升至降。

Each of these can be used in different ways.

它們裡的每一種都能以不同方式使用。

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

例如，由升至降的語調能用於 表達激動、吃驚或憤怒。

Also, like prominence, intonation isn’t fixed.

同樣，像相對突顯音那樣， 語調不是固定的。

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

記住這個重點，因為我展示給您看的 並非唯一的可能性。

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

首先：您一般來說需要一個升調來 表明您的句子沒有結果。

That means perfectly gets a rising intonation.

那意思是“perfectly”有一個升調。

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

要正確地得到這個語調，您要從句子 的開頭就開始逐步地

sentence.

上移語調。

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

在“although”用一個由降至升的語調開始， 然後慢慢地語調上移。

Then, make a bigger move upwards on perfectly.

然後，做一個較大的上升移動 到達“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.

在句子的後半句， 您需要做相反的事情。

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

您用一個降調來表明 您的句子結束了。

So, expect needs a falling tone.

所以，“expect”需要一個降調。

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

同樣，從這一段的開頭 開始慢慢地下降移動。

Then, make a bigger move downwards on expect.

然後，語調做一個較大的 下降移動到達 “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.

在這裡，您要考慮兩件事情。

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

首先，您的語調應當在每一個相對突顯音 單字移動，但是，不在

not prominent.

非相對突顯音單字移動。

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

那意思是您的語調要在“everything”從低往高 移動 — 不要太多，而是一點點。

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

您的語調要在“smoothly”從高往低移動 — 同樣，不是一個大的移動。

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

其次，這段話的最後一個單字，語調 應當有一個更大的移動。

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

在“perfectly”，您的語調也從低往高移動， 但是，那是一個比在“everything”

or other prominent words in the first clause.

上，或者比在前段話裡的其他相對 突顯音單字上更大的移動。

The same is true in the second clause.

在第二段話也一樣。

You need a much bigger intonation change on expect.

您需要在“expect”有一個 更大的語調改變。

Let's try the whole sentence.

我們來試一下整句話。

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.

再來一次。

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.

記住語調是靈活的。

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

如果您改變相對突顯音的單字， 或者強調不同的重點，

also change.

那麼，語調也會改變。

This is the basic, ‘neutral’ intonation.

這是基礎的、“neutral”語調。

Wow!

喔！

So much to think about for just one sentence.

就一個句子有太多要考慮的了。

Let’s look at one final point.

我們來看最後一個重點。

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

連讀意思是您怎樣把兩個單字合併 在一起唸一個連續的音。

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

例如，如果一個單字以一個輔音 結尾，而下一個單字以同一個音

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

或類似的音開頭，您可以把兩個音 合併在一起，像是：as_smoothly.

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

如果一個單字以一個輔音結尾， 而下一個單字以元音開頭，

can link the sounds together, like this: planned_everything.

您可以把兩個音合併在一起，像是 這個：planned_everything.

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

您能在我們的句子裡找到任何其他的 能連讀單字的地方嗎？

Pause the video and think about it.

暫停影片，考慮一下。

You could also link:

您也可以連讀：

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.

一般來說，在您唸英文時，您應該 儘可能地連讀單字。

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

把單字連在一起唸，您的口說 會更流利並聽起來自然。

Thinking about linking will help you to do this.

考慮連讀會幫您做到這個。

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

我們再來練習唸句子， 聚焦在連讀：

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

再唸一次： 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唸一個 英文句子時有很多

in English!

要考慮的！

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

實際上，有更多的重點，但是， 您在本節課裡看到的是

the most important.

最重要的。

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

如果您熟練這個，您的英文會聽起來 清晰、自然且流利！

I have a question for you.

我有一個問題給您。

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

您有發現課程裡面的哪一個發音 重點是最有挑戰性的？

Please let us know in the comments!

請寫在留言板裡，給我們知道。

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們的網站上看 我們更多的免費英文課程：Oxford

Online English.com.

Online English.com.

Thanks for watching and see you next time!

感謝觀看，下次見！