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Davidrock65 Posted 20 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation

tests, fists...

When it comes to a word in which s is followed by ts at the end, such as tests, chests and fists, I tend to blur s with ts, because they sound so similar to each other. Could you please teach me how to pronounce them clearly without blurring? Do I have to stop between s and ts?

Many thanks!!!
  

Top answer

Here's a good 'tongue twister' for you to practise: 'Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts, he thrusts his fist against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts'.

— Eng_teach_in_germany

  • Here's a good 'tongue twister' for you to practise: 'Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts, he thrusts his fist against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts'.
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8 Answers
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Here's a good 'tongue twister' for you to practise:

'Amidst the mists and coldest frosts,
with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts,
he thrusts his fist against the posts
and still insists he sees the ghosts'.
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See Post .

Think of "tests" as "tessssssss".
Think of "fists" as "fisssssssss".

Now all you do is interrupt that long "s" with an extremely brief "t" produced by raising the tip of the tongue ever-so-slightly to touch the inside of your mouth above the teeth.

tesssstsssss
fisssstssss

Once you get that you can gradually shorten it to
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with an extremely brief t or ts?
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If you interrupt a continuous stream of air producing an "s" sound, there will be an "s" sound before the interruption and an "s" sound after the interruption. The interrupting element is the "t".

sssssssssssssss
sssssstssssssss

A "ts" sound will automatically occur.

Does that help you understand better what I meant?

CJ
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CalifJimIf you interrupt a continuous stream of air producing an "s" sound, there will be an "s" sound before the interruption and an "s" sound after the interruption. The interrupting element is the "t".
Sorry but I have a same pronunciational problem.

So, interrupting elemnet, "t", is pronounced as stopped /t/?

tests = /tessss.
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No. Not stopped. Next to an "s", use a neutral "t". It may sound a little like a stopped "t" in that context, however.

CJ
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Thanks for your reply.

I recorded my voice.

Here you are.

Would you listen my voice and give me any advice, please?

http://myhome.naver.com/caspiii/1.wav

"He asks me about tests."

Thanks.
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Can't get it to work. Maybe someone else can help. Sorry.
CJ
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