Pronunciation Pairs Units 1 and 2

It is important to make a distinction when discussing consonant sounds. Consonant sounds can be either voiced or voiceless.

Put your hand to your throat and say the word "pick". Now saw the word "big". Did you notice anything different? When you said the word "big" your vocal cords should have vibrated. This is because /b/ is a voiced consonant. /p/ is a voiceless consonant.

Is longest when it is at the end of a word or before a voiced consonant.

is shortest when it is in an unstressed syllable.

Remember, most English words with two syllables have stress on the first syllable.