Pronunciation exercise - /e/ and /æ/

[scorpio2002]

Hi there, this time I'm trying to improve my pronunciation of the /æ/ vowel sound. This is a sound that we Italians don't have, so I am really having a hard time getting it right.

Based on my pronunciation of the following list of words, what do you think I can do to improve?

http://scorpio2002.altervista.org/ex5_ae.mp3

ten - tan
bet - bat
pen - pan
mesh - mash

As usual, thank you a lot!
Donato

[tigerpaws]

Donato, your vowel sounds in the second pair bet, bat are actually perfect! In the first pair you did not pronounce the vowels in the same way, but you should have. I would also recommend that you pronounce the final n in words with a bit more emphasis. This will make it easier for the listener to understand you. Great work! ...and what a wonderful idea to record the sounds and send them to this site!

[scorpio2002]

Donato, your vowel sounds in the second pair bet, bat are actually perfect!

That might have just been luck! :P This is my second try, any better or worse?

http://scorpio2002.altervista.org/ex5_ae_reload.mp3

[tigerpaws]

Actually, much better! As I mentioned above, the pronunciation of the a in bat is your best, so I recommend that you continue to practice making all a's of this sort just like that. I'm glad this helped.

[konungursvia]

First say /i/ as in feel. Notice the tongue is very close to the palate, yet the jaws and teeth are almost closed.

Now make the /a/ vowel as in father or acqua. Notice the jaws and teeth are at their "maximal" separation for normal speech. This is also the opening for the /æ/ vowel.

TO make it, keep the mouth open wide, and return the tongue to the near-palate position it was in /i/. You should have the /æ/ now.

[scorpio2002]

TO make it, keep the mouth open wide, and return the tongue to the near-palate position it was in /i/. You should have the /æ/ now.

This really confuses me; everywhere they say that the tongue should be positioned low in the oral cavity and now you're telling me the opposite XD

[konungursvia]

Okay, keep doing what they say sounded right.