Using Flap T to Link Words: American English Pronunciation

In this American English pronunciation video, we're going to go over using a Flap T to link

words.

Today we're going to study two different rules of pronunciation to develop one great habit

to smooth out your speech.

The first rule is that in informal, conversational American English, a T that comes between vowels,

or after an R consonant and before a vowel, will be pronounced as a Flap T, or just like

a D between vowels. For example, water. It's not wattter, ter, with a True T, it's

water, water.

The second rule is linking: In American English we like a very smooth line, with all

the words in one thought group connected. When we have a situation where one word ends

in a consonant and the next word begins in a vowel, we can think of the ending consonant

as beginning the next word to help us link. For example, the phrase 'on a': think of

the N as beginning 'uh': nuh, nuh, ah nuh, on a, on a.

So let's combine these two rules. If we have a word that ends in RT, or a vowel or

diphthong and T, and a following word that begins with a vowel, we want to use the T

to connect the two words, and that T becomes a Flap T. Let's look at some common examples.

Part of, part of. I want to note here that the V can be dropped, and the word 'of' can

be reduced just to the schwa. But, let's focus on the T. Part of, part of. It's a flap T.

It's part of the problem.

Sort of, sort of. Again, the V sound can be dropped. Sort of, -tof, -tof. Flap T. I'm

sort of disappointed.

At a, at a. Do you hear the flap T? At a, at a. It's connecting the two words. She's

at a birthday party.

That I, that I. Again, the ending T turning into a Flap T and connecting the two words.

That I. I thought that I was late.

Part of, sort of, at a, that I. These are common phrases. Practice them this way to

make your speech better linked and smoother. Do it any time you have a word ending in RT,

or a vowel/diphthong and T, followed by a word beginning with a vowel or diphthong.

It will get you closer to capturing the character of American English.

Practice your English: Record a sentence using part of, or sort of, or another example,

and post it as a video response to this video on YouTube. I can't wait to watch.

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