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How to Say the TH Sound | American English Pronunciation Lesson
Clear English Academy with Keenyn Rhodes
Overview
This lesson focuses on mastering the two distinct "th" sounds in American English: voiced and voiceless. It explains the physical differences in production, emphasizing vocal cord vibration for the voiced "th" and airflow for the voiceless "th." The video prioritizes the voiced "th" due to its frequency and the tactile feedback it provides for learners. It then addresses common pronunciation errors, specifically substituting "d" or "z" for the voiced "th," and provides targeted strategies and practice exercises to correct these substitutions by adjusting tongue placement and airflow.
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Chapters
- English has two "th" sounds: voiced (as in 'the') and voiceless (as in 'think').
- The voiced "th" involves vocal cord vibration, while the voiceless "th" uses only airflow.
- The voiced "th" is recommended for initial practice because it's more common and provides a tactile vibration cue.
Understanding the distinction between voiced and voiceless 'th' sounds is crucial for clear pronunciation and comprehension in American English.
Voiced 'th' in 'the', 'that', 'this'; Voiceless 'th' in 'think', 'thin'.
- Common substitutions for voiced "th" are 'd' and 'z'.
- To produce voiced "th", place the tongue tip slightly between or just under the top front teeth, allowing gentle airflow.
- Unlike the 'd' sound which stops airflow, the voiced "th" requires continuous airflow.
- Focus on practicing voiced "th" at the beginning of words, especially common function words.
Correctly producing the voiced 'th' sound significantly improves intelligibility and helps learners sound more like native American English speakers.
Practicing minimal pairs like 'there' vs. 'dare' and 'breathe' vs. 'breed'.
- The 'd' sound involves the tongue tapping the ridge behind the top teeth, stopping airflow.
- For voiced "th", move the tongue tip forward, slightly protruding from under the top teeth.
- Ensure a light tongue contact to allow continuous airflow, making it a continuous sound, not a stop.
Adjusting tongue placement and airflow from a 'd' to a 'th' sound is a key step in eliminating a common pronunciation error.
Holding the 'th' sound longer than usual during practice to feel the continuous airflow and correct tongue position.
- The 'z' sound is made with the tongue tip behind the top front teeth.
- To shift from 'z' to voiced "th", bring the tongue tip forward to rest just under the top front teeth.
- Both 'z' and voiced "th" are continuous and voiced, so the main adjustment is tongue position for airflow.
- Practice words where 'z' is often substituted for voiced "th".
Understanding the subtle tongue position difference between 'z' and voiced 'th' allows for precise articulation adjustments.
Practicing minimal pairs like 'the' vs. 'ze' (as in 'zealous') and 'they' vs. 'zay'.
- Once the voiced "th" is comfortable, practice the voiceless "th".
- The voiceless "th" uses the same tongue placement as the voiced "th" but without vocal cord vibration.
- Focus on quiet airflow between the tongue and teeth.
- This sound is also uncommon at the end of words.
Mastering the voiceless 'th' sound completes the pronunciation toolkit for this challenging sound pair.
Practicing words like 'thing', 'think', 'through', 'with'.
Key takeaways
- The 'th' sound in English has two variations: voiced and voiceless, distinguished by vocal cord vibration.
- The voiced 'th' is more frequent and offers tactile feedback (vibration) to help learners confirm correct pronunciation.
- Common errors for voiced 'th' include substituting 'd' or 'z'.
- Correcting 'd' substitution requires moving the tongue forward and ensuring continuous airflow.
- Correcting 'z' substitution primarily involves adjusting tongue placement to be just under the top front teeth.
- Practice voiced 'th' at the beginning of words, especially common function words like 'the', 'this', and 'that'.
- The voiceless 'th' uses the same tongue position but with only airflow, no vibration.
Key terms
Voiced "th"Voiceless "th"Vocal cordsAirflowTongue tip placementContinuous soundStop soundTactile cueMinimal pairsFunction words
Test your understanding
- What is the primary difference in production between the voiced "th" and the voiceless "th"?
- How does placing the tongue tip slightly forward and allowing continuous airflow help produce the voiced "th" sound correctly?
- Why is it recommended to practice the voiced "th" sound before the voiceless "th" sound?
- What specific adjustments to tongue position and airflow are needed to change a 'd' sound into a voiced "th"?
- How can a learner differentiate between the production of a 'z' sound and a voiced "th" sound?