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Work On Your Accent

Helen Ashton

Sarah Shepherd

How to use this book ………………………………………………………………………… i

Language groups ……………………………………………………………………………….. iii

Section A Getting started

Accent softening ………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

The need for mirror practice ………………………………………………………………………… 4

What accent will I learn? ……………………………………………………………………………… 6

The anatomy of speech ………………………………………………………………………………… 7

Why use the IPA? ………………………………………………………………………………………. 10

Section B The sounds of English

The consonant sounds ……………………………………………………………………. 14

1 PET & BET /p/ and /b/ …………………………………………………… 16

2 TO & DO /t/ and /d/ …………………………………………………… 18

3 COT & GOT /k/ and /g/ …………………………………………………… 20

4 ME /m/ ……………………………………………………………. 22

5 NO /n/ ……………………………………………………………. 24

6 SING /ŋ/ ……………………………………………………………. 26

7 SOON & ZOOM /s/ and /z/ …………………………………………………… 28

8 FAST & VAST /f/ and /v/ …………………………………………………… 30

9 CHOKE & JOKE /tʃ/ and /dʒ/ …………………………………………………. 32

10 THIN & THIS /θ/ and /ð/ …………………………………………………… 34

11 SHINE & TREASURE /ʃ/ and /ʒ/ …………………………………………………… 36

12 LOVE /l/ ……………………………………………………………. 38

13 HILL /ɫ/ ……………………………………………………………. 40

14 HELLO /h/ ……………………………………………………………. 42

15 YES /j/ ……………………………………………………………. 44

16 WEEK /w/ …………………………………………………………… 46

17 ROCK /r/ ……………………………………………………………. 48

18 The spoken and the silent r …………………………………………………………………… 50

The vowel sounds ………………………………………………………………………… 52

19 LETTER, COMMA /ə/ ……………………………………………………………. 54

20 NURSE /ɜː/ …………………………………………………………… 56

21 KIT /ɪ/ ……………………………………………………………. 58

22 SHEEP /iː/ …………………………………………………………… 60

23 DRESS /e/ ……………………………………………………………. 62

24 CAP /æ/ ……………………………………………………………. 64

25 CUP /ʌ/ ……………………………………………………………. 66

26 BATH /ɑː/ …………………………………………………………… 68

27 FOOT /ʊ/ ……………………………………………………………. 70

28 GOOSE /uː/ …………………………………………………………… 72

29 LOT /ɒ/ ……………………………………………………………. 74

30 THOUGHT /ɔː/ …………………………………………………………… 76

Diphthongs in RP ………………………………………………………………………… 78

31 GOAT /əʊ/ ………………………………………………………….. 81

32 MOUTH /aʊ/ ………………………………………………………….. 82

33 FACE /eɪ/ ………………………………………………………….. 83

34 PRICE /aɪ/ ………………………………………………………….. 84

35 CHOICE /ɔɪ/ ………………………………………………………….. 85

36 NEAR /ɪə/ ………………………………………………………….. 86

37 HAIR /eə/ ………………………………………………………….. 87

38 CURE /ʊə/ ………………………………………………………….. 88

Section C Connecting your speech

Connecting your speech …………………………………………………………………… 91

39 Changing sounds ………………………………………………………………………………… 92

40 Linking sounds ………………………………………………………………………………….. 94

41 Contractions …………………………………………………………………………………….. 95

Section D RP rhythm

Finding the rhythm of RP ………………………………………………………………….. 97

42 It’s not what you say, but the way that you say it ……………………………………….. 98

43 The roller coaster of English speech ……………………………………………………… 100

44 Intonation in action …………………………………………………………………………… 102

45 A rising tone ……………………………………………………………………………………. 104

46 A falling tone …………………………………………………………………………………… 106

47 Why is stress so important? ………………………………………………………………… 108

48 The schwa ………………………………………………………………………………………. 110

49 Word stress …………………………………………………………………………………….. 112

50 Irregularities in word stress ………………………………………………………………… 114

51 Sentence stress ………………………………………………………………………………… 117

52 Combining the stresses ………………………………………………………………………. 120

Section E Practice exercises

Practice exercises …………………………………………………………………………………. 124

Section F Appendices

Appendix 1 Spelling patterns of unstressed sounds …………………………………… 142

Appendix 2 The spoken and the silent r – a quick guide …………………………….. 144

Appendix 3 Suffixes and word stress …………………………………………………….. 145

Answer key ………………………………………………………………………………………. 146

Note to teachers ……………………………………………………………………………….. 147

What next? ………………………………………………………………………………………. 148

Glossary ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 150

The Architect of Sound: A Comprehensive Review of the Ultimate Pronunciation Masterclass

Introduction: Mastering the Invisible Dimension of Language

For many English learners, the final frontier isn’t grammar or vocabulary—it’s pronunciation. You can have a PhD in English literature, but if your speech lacks clarity and rhythm, your message will often be lost. This book is a rigorous, multi-dimensional roadmap designed to help non-native speakers master the sophisticated sounds of English (specifically focusing on RP—Received Pronunciation).

It is more than just a phonetics guide; it is a tactical manual for anyone serious about “accent softening” and achieving professional-level clarity.

What Kind of Book Is This?

This is a Comprehensive English Phonology and Rhythm manual. It is structured into six strategic sections that move from the basic biological “anatomy of speech” (Section A) to the complex “musicality” of the language, including intonation and sentence stress (Section D). The book employs the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as its primary tool, providing a standardized “visual language” for the sounds of English.

Who Is the Ideal Reader?

Advanced Learners and Professionals: Individuals who already speak English well but want to eliminate “fossilized” pronunciation errors.
Actors and Public Speakers: Those who need to master a specific standard accent for performance or global business negotiations.
English Teachers: Educators looking for a structured, evidence-based curriculum to explain why English sounds the way it does.
Linguistic Enthusiasts: Anyone fascinated by the “roller coaster” of English rhythm and the mechanics of the schwa.

Detailed Editorial Review: Why This Book is a Game-Changer

1. A Science-Based “Anatomy” Approach

The standout feature of this guide is Section A. It doesn’t just ask you to “repeat after me.” It explains the anatomy of speech and the necessity of mirror practice. By teaching you exactly where to place your tongue and how to shape your lips, the book treats pronunciation as a physical skill, much like learning a musical instrument or a sport.

2. Mastering the Building Blocks (Section B)

The section on Consonant and Vowel sounds is a masterpiece of precision. It pairs confusing sounds (like PET/BET or CHOKE/JOKE) and provides the IPA symbols to ensure absolute clarity. The dedicated unit on the “spoken and the silent r” is particularly high-value, as it resolves one of the most common points of confusion for non-native speakers.

3. The “Music” of Language: Rhythm and Intonation

Many books stop at individual sounds; this book dives into Section D: RP Rhythm. It acknowledges that English is a “stress-timed” language. By explaining the “roller coaster” effect, rising and falling tones, and the power of the schwa, the guide teaches you not just whatto say, but how to say it to convey emotion, emphasis, and authority.

4. Tactical Tools for Fluency (Section C)

Section C, Connecting your speech, is where the book bridges the gap between “textbook English” and “real-world speech.” By mastering Linking sounds and Contractions, learners stop sounding robotic and start achieving the natural, fluid flow of a native speaker.

The Final Verdict: Why You Must Read It

You should read this book because pronunciation is your first impression. In a globalized professional world, clarity is a superpower. This guide provides the “X-ray vision” to understand the secret patterns of English speech and the tools to rebuild your own accent from the ground up.

Final Conclusion: Authoritative, logically organized, and profoundly practical, this is the gold standard for advanced pronunciation training. It transforms the overwhelming world of phonetics into a series of masterable physical actions. If you want to stop being “misunderstood” and start being “commanding,” this book is an indispensable investment.