Linking sounds

LINKIng sounds

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START

By T. Carol Carbajal

Definition

Linking is a pronunciation technique that allows the speaker to smoothly say two or more words together. When linked together, the words sound like one continuous word.

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Consonant + consonant

When a word ends in a consonant sound and the following word begins with the same consonant sound:

• red dress
• big gorilla
• hot tomato
• feel lucky
• quiet town
• *pink car
• *nice scarf

Practice

Read aloud the following phrases.

• spring garden
• will love
• good day
• at ten
• black car
• some money

Consonant + vowel

When a word ends in a consonant sound and the following word begins with A VOWEL sound:

• an elephant
• an apple
• these are

Practice

Read the following phrases.

• an architect
• need a
• look at
• take a
• come on
• people are

vowel + vowel

When the first word ends in an "a", "e", "i" vowel sound [ eI / i: / aI ], our lips are wide. Then we insert a "Y" (j) sound at the beginning of the next word:

• way out – way + y + out
• we are – we + y + are
• my orange – my + y + orange

Practice

Read the following phrases.

• 'I was sad at the end of the holiday.'
• 'My aunt is lovely.'

• 'The boy and his cat are over there.'

Further Practice

Find the linked sounds.

If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you If the party was over and our time on Earth was through I'd wanna hold you just for a while and die with a smile If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you

Further Practice

Find the linked sounds.

I would break down at your feet And beg forgiveness, plead with you But I know that it's too late And now there's nothing I can do So I try to laugh about it Cover it all up with lies I try to laugh about it Hiding the tears in my eyes 'Cause boys don't cry Boys don't cry

ASSIMILATION

We change a sound by influence of neighboring sounds TO MAKE PRONUNCIATION EASIER AND FASTER.

• could be
• can't wait
• good night
• this shoe

Practice

Read the following phrases.

• let me
• going to
• this shirt
• meet you

• nice shoes
• don't you

Further Practice

Find the linked and assimilated sounds.

I look around and Sin city's cold and empty (oh) No one's around to judge me (oh) I can't see clearly when you're gone I said: Ooh, I'm blinded by the lights No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch I said: Ooh, I'm drowning in the night Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust

Further Practice

Find the linked and assimilated sounds.

Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody's runnin', but half of them ain't lookin' It's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin' They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me If they can't understand it, how can they reach me? I guess they can't, I guess they won't I guess they front, that's why I know my life is out of luck, fool Been spendin' most their lives Livin' in a gangsta's paradise (x2) Keep spendin' most our lives Livin' in a gangsta's paradise (x2)

REMEMBER TO LINK!