microcosm & macrocosm( /ai/ & /ae/)

Question

Hi, this is my first post here.Recently, I am really confused by the pronouncation of /ai/ & /ae/ like microeconomics and macroeconomics.   I usually speak fast, so it is very hard for me to differ one from another.Are there any suggestions about how to separate one from the other?Any help is appreciated.

Kooyeen · Accepted Answer

Welcome to EnglishForward.

LeonLord I usually speak fast, so it is very hard for me to differ one from another. Are there any suggestions about how to separate one from the other?

How about speaking a little bit slower?

Really, those two sounds are different, and they should sound different even when you speak fast. But I suspect you are reducing the second sound in /ai/ when you speak fast (so it's kind of like /a/), and you pronounce /ae/ close to /a/. So there's almost no difference. But /ae/ is very different from /ai/ and you should try distinguish those two vowels.

LeonLord · Answer

Yes, I tried to speak slowly. However, I still find it hard to distinguish them. I am wondering if there are some website showing videos about the correct pronounciation.

Really confused by /ae/..

Kooyeen · Answer

Well, I'm learning American English, so I don't really know much about British English. But I guess the difference between /ai/ (bite) and /ae/

is more or less the same.
I circled the areas where I think "General American" vowels are.
/ai/ goes from a sound in a certain area to a sound in another area (following the arrow).

microcosm & macrocosm( /ai/ & /ae/)

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