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The InFluency Podcast

423. Why you can’t pronounce the R in English and how to REALLY practice it

Aug 13, 2024
12:09
Snipd AI
Struggling with the R sound in English? This episode dives into the challenges faced by non-native speakers and shares effective strategies for practice. Discover how repetition and self-assessment can turn frustration into success. Plus, uncover tips to make R sound exercises a part of your daily routine. You'll also explore fascinating variations of the R sound across languages, making pronunciation a fun and intriguing journey!
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Pronouncing the R sound in English requires specific tongue positioning that differs significantly from R sounds in many other languages.
  • Dedicated practice techniques, like drilling and self-recording, are essential for mastering the challenging English R sound over time.

Deep dives

Mastering the English R Sound

Pronouncing the R sound in English can be particularly challenging for non-native speakers due to significant differences from R sounds in many other languages. This difficulty arises from the specific tongue positioning required for the strong and soft R sounds, particularly in American English, where the tongue must not touch anything. To make this sound more natural, dedicated practice is essential, as the R sound is often one of the last to be mastered when learning a language. It is important to recognize that feeling unnatural while practicing is a normal part of the process, and with time and repetition, the sound will become more instinctive.

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