We see many accent modification clients from all the various Spanish-speaking countries, mostly from Spain, Columbia, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Although each country’s accent has a slightly different flavor, there are many common features in areas of pronunciation, stress/rate/rhythm, intonation, and oral posture. Here are 6 accent tips for Spanish speakers to improve your American…
Not Going on Holiday
I often hear non-native American English speakers using the term “going on holiday.” Let’s take a look at this. “Holiday” is an interesting word and you’ll see it pop up all over the place at this time of the year. However, Americans never say they’re “going on holiday”. Nor do we say “going on holidays”…
Pace Yourself! How Americans really speak
I haven’t written an article in a while. I was in Italy for a couple of weeks and the trip messed with my “pace”. Slowed down my world in a warm and lovely way. Arrivederci-for-a-while to my usual fast-as-a-New-York-minute productivity. Meglio tardi che mai. Better late than never. This is where espresso/caffeine has its purpose. Speaking…
Scary Pairs in English Pronunciation
As far as American English pronunciation goes, there are probably two situations that cause the most problems: Shifting stress in a word or phrase. “My mother lives in the WHITE House”. No, she does not. She lives in the “white HOUSE” down the street. Changing a single sound in a word, thus creating another word with…
Stressed! Stress is a good thing in an American accent
In an American accent, stress is a good thing. You simply have to know WHERE the stress falls, which is easier said than done. This applies to not only the word level, but also for phrases and sentences. Some stress patterns are rule-based, some context-based. Some of them we pick up by ear, but knowing…
Oh no the letter O!
The letter O in American English is one of the most challenging letters to master pronouncing. In our accent training classes, when we’re working on pronunciation of American English phonemes (sounds), we usually start our clients with the TH. A beautiful thing about the letters T and H together is that they sound like a TH almost…
To Skype or not to Skype
Are online accent reduction classes on Skype and ZOOM as good as in-person training? We get asked this question all the time. THE DOWNSIDE: You won’t get to hang out in our new office with the nice view. You’ll have to print out your materials yourself. But we may get to meet your cat… Seriously,…
Halloween Trivia and Tips
Halloween greetings! Here is some basic vocabulary and Halloween trivia you absolutely need to know for all your pagan partying this weekend. ‘Jack o’ lantern’ => in this country you’ll see them made from pumpkins. Jack o’ lanterns are believed to have originated in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands during the 19th century. They were made…
You Can or You Can’t?
Has this ever happened to you? You’re telling someone that you’re able to do something, for example “I can see you tonight”. And then the person replies “You CAN or you CAN’T?”. WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN??? Here’s why: In American English, the helping (auxiliary) word “can” should not rhyme with “man”. It should sound more like…
Don’t Make a Sound—Until You Read This
It’s astounding how changing one letter in an American English word can give it a whole new meaning. One teensy letter. So don’t make a sound until you read on. INTO IT OR NOT?? I got a text this morning from a friend. He mentioned his teenage daughter was “into her book”. I was surprised…