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Lesson Transcript

This is the ɚ/ɝ sound. This is the ɪr sound. And this is the ɛr 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 ɚ/ɝ. This sound can be stressed or unstressed. It's the sound in words like "percent," "never," "early," "first," "sir," and other words.
Next is ɪr. This is the sound in "ear," "here," "tear," and other words.
ɛr is the sound in "air," "hair," and other words.
All the sounds are R-colored vowels, which means vowel sounds that end with an R sound.
To make the ɚ/ɝ sound: the teeth move apart, and the lips form an oval. The middle part of the tongue moves directly up. The lips move forward slightly as we release the sound.
ɚ/ɝ
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ
ɚ/ɝ
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ
To make the ɪr sound: the teeth part slightly, and the lips are pulled back. The back of the tongue moves up near the rear of the mouth, and we release the E sound. We then move to the R position, with the middle of the tongue moving directly up. The lips relax into an oval.
ɪr
[3 sec pause]
ɪr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɪr
ɪr
[3 sec pause]
ɪr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɪr
To make the ɛr sound: begin with the teeth and lips slightly apart. The tip of the tongue moves near the top of the lower teeth. The tongue moves forward slightly. Release the sound, and at the same time, close the teeth slightly, move the lips to an oval shape, and raise the center of the tongue directly up.
ɛr
[3 sec pause]
ɛr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɛr
ɛr
[3 sec pause]
ɛr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɛr
These sounds are quite similar, but ɚ/ɝ is a central vowel, ɪr is a high-front vowel, and ɛr is a mid-front vowel.
Listen to the difference and repeat after me.
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr (enunciated)
[3 sec pause]
ɚ/ɝ, ɪr, ɛr
Listen and repeat or speak along with me.
Ready?
beer/bear
(space for repetition)
beer/bear
here/hair
(space for repetition)
here/hair
cheer/chair
(space for repetition)
cheer/chair
bird/beard
(space for repetition)
bird/beard
fur/fair
(space for repetition)
fur/fair
Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focusing on pronunciation.
(Do you remember the central sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɚ/ɝ
(1)
ɚ/ɝ
And the high-front sound?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɪr
(1)
ɪr
And the mid-front vowel?
(3)
(2)
(1)
ɛr
(1)
ɛr
Let's practice.
Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the ɪr sound, and which has the ɛr sound?
beer/bear
(1)
beer/bear
(1)
"Beer" has the ɪr sound, and "bear" has the ɛr sound.
Let's try another.
(1 sec pause)
here/hair
"Here" has the ɪr sound, and "hair" has the ɛr sound.
Let's try one more!
(1 sec pause)
cheer/chair
"Cheer" has the ɪr sound, and "chair" has the ɛr sound.
Now, compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the ɪr sound, and which has the ɚ/ɝ sound?
(1 sec pause)
bird/beard
"Beard" has the ɪr sound, and "bird" has the ɚ/ɝ sound.
Let's try one more. Which word has the ɛr sound, and which has the ɚ/ɝ sound?
(1 sec pause)
fur/fair
"Fair" has the ɛr sound, and "fur" has the ɚ/ɝ sound.
Now, listen to this sentence. Which words have the ɚ/ɝ sound, and which words have the ɪr sound?
(1 sec pause)
The word sounds weird to me.
word/weird
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
The word sounds weird to me.
(3 sec pause)
Let's try one more. Which words have the ɪr sound, and which words have the ɛr sound?
(1 sec pause)
She stood on the chair to cheer for her team.
Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds.
She stood on the chair to cheer for her team.
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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