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Lesson Transcript

This is the ɑ sound. This is the ʌ sound. And this is the ə 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 ɑ. This is the o sound in "odd," "cot," "doctor," and other words.
Next is ʌ. This is the sound in "other," "cut," "but," and other words.
ə is the sound in "ago," "about," "allow," and other words.
ɑ and ʌ are both back vowels and so are pronounced in the back part of your mouth.
ə is a central vowel and so is pronounced in the central part of your mouth.
To make the ɑ sound: part the lips and round them slightly. The jaw is relaxed. The tongue moves back in the mouth and flattens.
ɑ
[3 sec pause]
ɑ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɑ
ɑ
[3 sec pause]
ɑ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɑ
To make the ʌ sound: the lips and teeth separate, and the jaw moves down. The tongue flattens and moves forward slightly. The tip of the tongue is near the base of the lower teeth.
ʌ
[3 sec pause]
ʌ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ʌ
ʌ
[3 sec pause]
ʌ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ʌ
To make the ə sound: the lips and the tongue part slightly. The tongue remains relaxed as we release the sound. The throat is open.
ə
[3 sec pause]
ə (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ə
ə
[3 sec pause]
ə (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ə
These sounds are quite similar, but when ɑ is pronounced, the tongue position is lower. Also, ʌ is a little bit more open than ə.
Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
ɑ, ʌ, ə
[3 sec pause]
ɑ, ʌ, ə. (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɑ, ʌ, ə
ɑ, ʌ, ə
[3 sec pause]
ɑ, ʌ, ə. (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɑ, ʌ, ə
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
cot/cut
(space for repetition)
cot/cut
calm/come
(space for repetition)
calm/come
sung/song
(space for repetition)
sung/song
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
(Do you remember the sound that's more open?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ʌ
(1)
ʌ
And the more closed sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ə
(1)
ə
And the vowel that's pronounced with the lower position of the tongue?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɑ
(1)
ɑ
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the more open sound, and which has the more closed sound?
other/allow
(1)
other/allow
(1)
"Allow" has the more closed sound, and "other" has the more open sound.
Let's try another.
but/about
(1)
but/about
(1)
"But" has the more open sound, and "about" has the more closed sound.
Now, compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the ɑ sound that's pronounced with the lower tongue position, and which has the ʌ sound?
(1 sec pause)
cot/cut
"Cot" has the ɑ sound, that's pronounced with the lower tongue position, and "cut" has the ʌ sound.
Let's try one more.
(1 sec pause)
calm/come
"Calm" has the ɑ sound, that's pronounced with the lower tongue position, and "come" has the ʌ sound.
Now, listen to this sentence. Which words have the ɑ sound, and which words have the ʌ sound?
(1 sec pause)
The cop ordered a cup of coffee.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
The cop ordered a cup of coffee.
(3 sec pause)
Let's try one more. Which words have the ɑ sound, and which words have the ʌ sound?
(1 sec pause)
He got a gut feeling.
(3 sec pause)
He got a gut feeling.
(3 sec pause)
Let's try another. Which words have the ɑ sound, the ʌ sound, and the ə sound?
(1 sec pause)
The child calmed down when he learned his mother was about to come.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
The child calmed down when he learned his mother was about to come.
(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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