It is important to watch the second video on this worksheet and continue onto the next few pages. You can watch the first video if you want to know more about consonants.
Understand the rule on this worksheet and practise. In Afrikaans, words that end in voiced consonants become voiceless. For example: the d in goed is pronounced more like a /t/ sound.
You may find that your jaw is more closed compared to native British English speakers. Notice how the tongue is higher in the mouth, which leads to all the vowels being made higher in the mouth.
Lesson 16 The /ɛ/ & /a/ Sounds
L 253 DRESS /ɛ/ vowel vs TRAP /a/ vowel
You may not make a difference between set (DRESS) and sat (TRAP). You probably pronounce both with the DRESS vowel. Notice that the English DRESS vowel is similar to Afrikaans ê like in sê. The English TRAP vowel is similar to the second e vowel in Afrikaans vertrek.
Lesson 17 The TH Sounds
Lesson 18 The /a/ and /ɑː/ Sounds
J BT 70 The TH Sounds /θ/ and /ð/ 275 TRAP /a/ vowel vs START /ɑː/ vowel Ensure you can pronounce these sounds in English.
The START vowel is similar to the aa vowel in Afrikaans kaart. This aa vowel may be much further back in the mouth compared to the English START vowel. Bring the tongue more forward for the English vowel. Check your lips are relaxed and not rounded for English /ɑː/.
Lesson 19 The /əː/ Vowel
Lesson 20 The /ʊ/ & /uː/ Sounds
Measure Your Progress T 205 The NURSE /əː/ Vowel
This vowel is similar to the î sound in Afrikaans wîe. It is not the same as Afrikaans ûe like in brûe.
G 251 FOOT /ʊ/ vowel vs GOOSE /uː/ vowel
You may not make a distinction between look (FOOT) and Luke (GOOSE). English GOOSE /uː/ is further back in the mouth compared to Afrikaans uu in uur.
Re-record yourself reading “A Perfect Match”. Can you notice improvements? After doing these lessons, go to the contents page and explore the Intonation section, the L sounds /l/ and [ɫ], the STRUT /ʌ/ vowel and the GOAT /əʊ/ vowel.