5 common English pronunciation mistakes for Latin Americans and how to avoid them
5 common English pronunciation mistakes for Latin Americans and how to avoid them.
Learning English can be a difficult task, especially when it comes to pronunciation. Many Latinos have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds in English, which can make understanding and communication difficult. Here at Elite we present you the 5 most common mistakes in English pronunciation that Latinos make when learning the language:
1. The pronunciation of “th”.
The sound of “th” in English is difficult for Latinos, since there is no such sound in Spanish. Many Latinos pronounce “th” like “t” or “d.” To avoid this mistake, practice pronouncing “th” softly by placing your tongue between your upper teeth and blowing out air. A good way to practice is by reading aloud and paying attention to the pronunciation of the “th” in words.
2. The pronunciation of the “r”.
The “r” in English is soft and subtle, unlike the strong “r” in Spanish. Many Latinos pronounce “r” like “rr” in Spanish. To avoid this mistake, practice pronouncing the “r” with a slight vibration in your throat. A good way to practice is by pronouncing sentences that contain the “r” like “Richard received a reward for his remarkable research on renewable resources.” and paying attention to how “r” sounds in the pronunciation of native English speakers.
3. The pronunciation of the “h”.
In English, the “h” is pronounced at the beginning of words, but in Spanish it is not. Many Latinos omit the “h” in English. To avoid this mistake, make sure to pronounce the “h” softly at the beginning of words. A good way to practice is by saying out loud “Hierarchy” “Haphazard” “Histrionic” words or paying attention to the pronunciation of the “h” in the words of the TV series you watch.
4. The pronunciation of the “y”.
The “y” in English is pronounced as “ai,” but many Latinos pronounce it as “i.” To avoid this mistake, pronounce “y” as “ai” and practice listening to the correct pronunciation of native English speakers. A good way to practice is by listening to and repeating words that contain the “Y” as “Yesterday, yellow yarns yielded yeti-like figures when Yvonne yanked the yarns yard by yard with her yarn needle.” or paying attention to how native English locutors pronounce in their English podcasts.
5. The pronunciation of long vowels In English.
Long vowels are pronounced for a longer time than in Spanish. Many Latinos pronounce long vowels as short vowels. To avoid this mistake, practice your pronunciation by prolonging the vowel for a longer time. A good way to practice is by reading aloud and paying attention to the duration of vowels in words.
Remember that practice is the key to improving English pronunciation. Listen to native English speakers and repeat their pronunciations. If you have difficulties with the pronunciation of certain words we recommend our “Live Elite English conversation”, you can see all the information about this course here.
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