/j/, ∅ minimal pairs
Words like “year” and “ear” can sound similar to non-native ears since “year” is pronounced the same as “ear” except for the beginning /j/ sound. To pronounce the /j/ + /i/ combination words like year, yield or yeast, the center of the tongue has to be close to the palatal area. These are the minimal pairs of words that differ in presence or absence of the /j/ sound.
year ear
yeast east
yearn earn
yoke oak
yes ’S’
yam am
yell L
Yale ale
your ore
/w/, /j/ minimal pairs
way yay
woo U
wet yet
woo ewe
Wham yam
whack yak
when yen
Watt yacht
/j/, /dʒ/ minimal pairs
These sounds can be a challenge to Spanish speakers. The tongue position is different. For the /ʤ/ sound, the tip is at the roof of the mouth. For the /j/ sound the tip of the tongue touches the back of the bottom front teeth. The middle part of the tongue pushes forward against the roof of the mouth to make this sound.
use (n.) juice
yard jarred
yeti jetty
yacht jot
yaw jaw
yin gin
yak Jack
year jeer
yoke joke
Yale jail
yell gel
you Jew
yammer jammer
yet jet
you'll joule
year jeer
/j/ sentences
These are sentences with the /j/ sound.
Don’t yawn while you are eating yellow yogurt.
You look young. What year were you born?
Yes, you can yell in the canyon in your kayak.
Comments
Post a Comment