When we have /h/ plus /juː/ the /h/ turns into a slightly different sound. On the consonant chart on my website, this sound is represented as [ç] but you will see it written as /hj/ in dictionaries. Listen to the difference between: you /juː/
Hugh /hjuː/ (or [çuː]) who /huː/
/hj/ Words There are not many words which have this /hj/ sound in English. hue, huge, human, humid, humiliate, humour
If you are finding it challenging to make the sound, here are some tips:
1. Say you /juː/ but pronounce the y /j/ sound yyyyyyou 2. Notice how the middle of the tongue tenses upwards for the y /j/ sound. 3. Now whisper yyyyyyou - Notice how your larynx is not vibrating for the y /j/ sound - You can feel friction on your hard palate.
4. The whispered y /j/ is the /hj/ or [ç] sound in English.
Phrases Words marked with * have the /hj/ sound
1 high heels 2 holiday home
3 hard of hearing 4 who helped you?
5 *Hugo felt *humiliated 6 Euston or *Houston1?
7 reheat the hamburger 8 behind the greenhouse
1/ˈjuːstən ɔː ˈhjuːstən/. This pronunciation of Houston is referring to the place in Texas. The Scottish name is /ˈhuːstən/ and the New York street name is /ˈhaʊstən/.
