#1  
Old 31-May-2008, 11:17
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Default e and a etc

When I say the words...

early, even, apple, able,

How can I learn how to pronounce them?
  #2  
Old 31-May-2008, 11:21
engee30's Avatar
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Smile Re: e and a etc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne59 View Post
When I say the words...

early, even, apple, able,

How can I learn how to pronounce them?
You sound like a foreigner, which is not the case after my looking at your profile.

The best way is to get a talking dictionary of English. They work like 'click on the word and hear it'.

  #3  
Old 31-May-2008, 11:56
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Default Re: e and a etc

Have you tried this? Click English Pronouncing Dictionary with Instant Sound Free Online
  #4  
Old 12-Jun-2008, 22:46
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Default Re: e and a etc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne59 View Post
When I say the words...

early, even, apple, able,

How can I learn how to pronounce them?
You could check the pronunciation in most English dictionaries. Online you could try en.wiktionary.org. If you learn IPA (the International Phonetic Alphabet) you would be able to see how to pronounce the words as they are written in the dictionary.

After that you really just need to remember them because as you know, nothing is easy about English pronunciation. There are no hard and fast rules as English is not written phonetically.

This is how to pronounce them (using IPA)
early/ˈɜːli/ - the "r" sound is dropped in British English RP
even/ˈi:vən/
apple/ˈępəl/
able/eɪbəl/

It's interesting to note that both words beginning with E have completely different vowel sounds as do both words beginning with A.
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