How to Pronounce ISSUE -- Rachel's English -- American English

In this American English pronunciation video,

we're going to go over the pronunciation of the word 'issue'.

This week's Word of the Week is 'issue'. Thanks so much to the fan who suggested it.

This is a two-syllable word with stress on the first syllable. Issue. DA-da.

Make sure the second syllable is shorter than the first

so we get that nice rhythmic contrast. Issue.

This word only has three sounds in it.

It begins with the IH as in SIT vowel,

so you need a little bit of jaw drop for that sound, IH, IH.

Otherwise, it sounds too much like EE. IH, IH.

My lips might start moving for the SH sound even as I'm making the IH sound. Ish-, ish-.

To make the SH sound, the teeth come together and the lips flare.

The tongue is lifting here, but it's not actually touching the roof of the mouth.

To finish, we have the OO as in BOO vowel, issue, issue,

where the tongue will lift in the back.

The tongue tip stays here, pressing behind the bottom of the front teeth, issue.

And the lips will round. So they were flared,

now they come in and round a little bit. Issue, issue.

It isn't an issue.

Here it is in slow motion.

If there's a word you find difficult to pronounce, suggest it in the comments.

That's it, and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.