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Yanx Posted 16 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
How to differ when you pronounce "keys" and "kids"
Hi:
I watched a short English lecture about English Pronunciation today and one of the issues the lecturer mentioned was when some Chinese people want to say "I have a lot of kids", the English native speakers may mistakenly think that they are saying "I have a lot of keys". So how does an English native speaker differ the two words when you speak in real speed?
Similarly, some Chinese people cannot pronounce thick well, they may pronounce "sick" or the contrary may also occur since there is not such a pronunciation like "th" for "thick". So we may also make us misunderstood by other English native speakers .
So can you explain and give me some practical advice or examples?
Thanks very much!
Xin Yan
I watched a short English lecture about English Pronunciation today and one of the issues the lecturer mentioned was when some Chinese people want to say "I have a lot of kids", the English native speakers may mistakenly think that they are saying "I have a lot of keys". So how does an English native speaker differ the two words when you speak in real speed?
Similarly, some Chinese people cannot pronounce thick well, they may pronounce "sick" or the contrary may also occur since there is not such a pronunciation like "th" for "thick". So we may also make us misunderstood by other English native speakers .
So can you explain and give me some practical advice or examples?
Thanks very much!
Xin Yan
Top answer
"Kids" and "keys" are two different vowel sounds. Many cultures have trouble with the short "i" in "kids". As long as you pronounce the "d" in kids, most English speakers should understand.
- "Kids" and "keys" are two different vowel sounds.
- Many cultures have trouble with the short "i" in "kids".
- As long as you pronounce the "d" in kids, most English speakers should understand.
- Just listen and practice the "ih" sound.
- Same with "th", practice the sound.
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1 Answers
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"Kids" and "keys" are two different vowel sounds. Many cultures have trouble with the short "i" in "kids". As long as you pronounce the "d" in kids, most English speakers should understand. Just listen and practice the "ih" sound.
Same with "th", practice the sound. Again, many languages don't have the "th" sounds, so it can take some doing to learn. I'm used to people substituting "s" f
Same with "th", practice the sound. Again, many languages don't have the "th" sounds, so it can take some doing to learn. I'm used to people substituting "s" f
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