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Lesson Transcript

This is the e sound. This is the ɛ sound, and this is the æ sound. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to tell them apart PLUS you'll be practicing them and on your way to perfect pronunciation!
I'm Alisha, and this is English Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs.
First is e. This is the sound in "eight," "able," "late," and other words.
Next is ɛ. This is the e sound in "bed," "met," "red," and other words.
æ is the sound in "bad," "mat," "rad," and other words.
All three sounds are front vowels, and so are pronounced in the front part of your mouth.
To make the e sound: from a relaxed position, the lips and teeth part. The tip of the tongue moves forward and up, and we release the sound. The throat is open.
e
[3 sec pause]
e (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
e
e
[3 sec pause]
e (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
e
To make the ɛ sound: The lips and teeth are apart. The tip of the tongue moves near the top of the lower teeth. The tongue moves forward slightly.
ɛ
[3 sec pause]
ɛ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɛ
ɛ
[3 sec pause]
ɛ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɛ
To make the æ sound: The teeth are wide apart, and the lips pull back slightly. The tip of the tongue goes to the base of the teeth. The back of the tongue moves up. The throat constricts slightly.
æ
[3 sec pause]
æ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
æ
æ
[3 sec pause]
æ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
æ
These sounds are quite similar, but æ is more open than ɛ, and ɛ is more open than e. Also, when it's pronounced, the tongue position for æ is lower than for e and ɛ.
Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
e, ɛ, æ
[3 sec pause]
e, ɛ, æ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
e, ɛ, æ
e, ɛ, æ
[3 sec pause]
e, ɛ, æ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
e, ɛ, æ
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
hate/hat
(space for repetition)
hate/hat
bail/bell
(space for repetition)
bail/bell
mate/met/mat
(space for repetition)
mate/met/mat
bed/bad
(space for repetition)
bed/bad
said/sad
(space for repetition)
said/sad
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
(Do you remember the sound that's the most open?
(3)
(2)
(1)
æ
(1)
æ
And the most closed sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
e
(1)
e
And the middle sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɛ
(1)
ɛ
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the more open sound, and which has the more closed sound?
met/mat
(1)
met/mat
(1)
"Met" has the more closed sound, and "mat" has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
bad/bed
1)
bad/bed
1)
"Bad" has the more open sound, and "bed" has the more closed sound.
Let's try another.
said/sad
1)
said/sad
1)
"Said" has the more closed sound, and "sad" has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
eight/said
1)
eight/said
1)
"Eight" has the more closed sound, and "said" has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
mate/met
1)
mate/met
1)
"Mate" has the more closed sound, and "met" has the more open sound.
Let's try one more.
bet/bait
1)
bet/bait
1)
"Bet" has the more open sound, and "bait" has the more closed sound.
Now listen to this sentence. Which words have the more open sound, and which have the more closed sound?
(1 sec pause)
She promised to bake cookies when he got back.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
She promised to bake cookies when he got back.
(3 sec pause)
Let's try one more. Which words have the more open sound, and which have the more closed sound?
(1 sec pause)
He had a bad day, so he went straight to bed.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
He had a bad day, so he went straight to bed.
(3 sec pause)
Let's try another. Which words have the more open sound, and which have the more closed sound?
(1 sec pause)
She added spices to aid flavor.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
She added spices to aid flavor.
(3 sec pause)
And the last one. Which words have the more open sound, and which have the more closed sound?
(1 sec pause)
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
Kate adopted a cat.
(3 sec pause)
Here's a special resource just for you…
If you want to master these minimal pairs even faster…
Download our English Minimal Pairs Explained Companion eBook for FREE
This bonus eBook contains even more examples that are not in this video.
Just click the link in the comments section.

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