E76 How to Pronounce the Trickiest City and State Names

🎙️In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we're talking about something that can be very confusing for English learners—pronunciation! English has many words that are not pronounced the way they are spelled, and this can make it difficult to speak clearly and confidently. In today's episode, you'll learn how to pronounce some tricky city and state names in the United States.

❓Have you ever looked at a word like “Arkansas” or “Connecticut” and had no idea how to say it? You’re not alone! These place names are known for their unusual pronunciation. Even native speakers sometimes get them wrong. In this episode, you’ll hear clear explanations and examples to help you remember the correct pronunciation.

🗣️We also explore some cities that have French or Spanish origins, like “Des Moines” or “La Jolla.” These names follow different pronunciation rules, so they may surprise you! By listening to this episode, you’ll discover helpful tips on how to pronounce foreign-sounding names with an American accent, and you’ll also understand why they sound so different from their spelling.

🎧This episode is perfect for learners who want to improve their English while learning about real-world topics. You'll explore new vocabulary and get to practice your listening comprehension. And don't forget to check the description of this episode for a list of the new words to help you study so you can improve your English!

States covered in this episode: Arkansas, Illinois, Connecticut, Oregon, Nevada

Cities covered in this episode: Birmingham, Mobile, Louisville, Des Moines, Boise, Kissimmee, Tucson, La Jolla

Link to pronunciation playlist

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📝 Vocabulary list:

1) Silent letter – a letter in a word that is not pronounced

2) Schwa – the most common vowel sound in English, an unstressed and soft sound (ə)

3) Tricky – difficult in a way that needs special attentio

4) Cringe – to feel a little embarrassed or uncomfortable because of something awkward

5) Deceptive – something that seems one way but is actually different

6) Unemphasized syllable – the part of a word that is not stressed

7) Home state – the state someone is originally from

8) That makes sense – that is logical or understandable

9) Something to be aware of – something you should know or remember

10) Right next to – very close or directly beside something