Add More Fun to Your Life with an American Accent
Spanish speakers face difficulties learning English, because English can seem deceptively similar to Spanish.
Knowing and being aware of what the key differences are when speaking American English is the first step in speaking like a native.
The second step is learning how to overcome these specific English pronunciation challenges for Spanish speakers.
This will allow you to enjoy speaking fluently and clearly with an American accent.
The key English pronunciation issues and solutions, taught below, include audio recordings, are related to:
- Vowels
- Consonants
- The Schwa Sound
- Intonation
- Linking
- Speech Rate
There are key differences in how Spanish and American speakers pronounce vowels-Learn More
Vowels:
For example, it’s not uncommon for a Spanish speaker to pronounce the word “bus” as “boos”, or “tip” as “teep” because they are relying on the Spanish pronunciation and not the English one.
- English and Spanish have the same vowels.
- Spanish speakers always pronounce these vowels exactly the same way.
- In English, these same vowels may be pronounced differently, depending on the word and the surrounding letters.
For example, it’s not uncommon for a Spanish speaker to pronounce the word “bus” as “boos”, or “tip” as “teep” because they are relying on the Spanish pronunciation and not the English one.
There are vital differences in how consonants are pronounced by Spanish and American speakers
Consonants:
Consonants also provide opportunities for Spanish to interfere with English acquisition.
Read Blog to learn more:
Consonants also provide opportunities for Spanish to interfere with English acquisition.
- “V” and “B” are pronounced almost exactly the same in Spanish. In English they are mostly pronounced "B."
Read Blog to learn more:
The schwa is the most frequently used and misunderstood sound in the english language-Read Further
Schwa Sound (A neutral vowel sound in an unstressed word):
- Spanish lacks a Schwa sound. English has the Schwa sound.
- As a result, Spanish speakers over pronounce in English.
Intonation-The melodies of the spanish and english languages- Read More
Intonation (How a person’s voice falls and rises when reciting words, sentences, paragraphs):
- A Spanish speaker’s voice always rises on the last word of a sentence or phrase.
- A native English speaker’s voice only rises when extra stress is needed to enhance meaning.
- English spoken with Spanish intonation is more difficult to understand for an American listener.
Linking-spanish and english connect sounds and words differently-Learn more
Linking (connecting sounds and words)
- Spanish has fewer final consonants and less linking
- Spanish speakers pause more instead of linking
- English spoken by a Spanish speaker sounds choppy
Speech rate-Are you speaking to fast? Read to learn more
Spanish speakers usually speak English too fast.
- Rapid speech prevents the correct English syllable stress in words and sentences.
- Solution: Speaking slower will allow your message to be better understood. This is especially important in a professional environment.
Our powerful accent reduction lessons, teach you to pronounce Spanish words like an American fluently and correctly.
Speaking with an American accent will allow people to clearly understand you. They can focus their full attention on your valuable skills and ideas without being distracted by your accent.
Speaking with an American accent will allow people to clearly understand you. They can focus their full attention on your valuable skills and ideas without being distracted by your accent.
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