Practice the mid-back vowels, o vs ɔ
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| This is the o sound and this is the ɔ 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 o. This is the sound in "goat," "low," "though," and other words. |
| ɔ is the sound in "all," "want," "saw," and other words. |
| O and ɔ are both mid-back vowels and so are pronounced in the mid-back part of your mouth. |
| To make the o sound: part the teeth and move the tongue back slightly. Release the sound as you move your lips into a small O shape. |
| o |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o |
| o |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o |
| To make the ɔ sound: the lips move to a loose O position. The teeth are slightly apart, and the tongue moves to the back of the mouth. |
| ɔ |
| (hold for 3 seconds) |
| ɔ (enunciated) |
| (hold for 3 seconds) |
| ɔ |
| ɔ |
| (hold for 3 seconds) |
| ɔ (enunciated) |
| (hold for 3 seconds) |
| ɔ |
| These sounds are quite similar, but the ɔ is more open than the o. |
| Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| o ɔ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o ɔ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o ɔ |
| o ɔ |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o ɔ (enunciated) |
| [3 sec pause] |
| o ɔ |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| goat/got |
| (space for repetition) |
| goat/got |
| boat/bought |
| (space for repetition) |
| boat/bought |
| 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) |
| ɔ |
| (1) |
| ɔ |
| And the more closed sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| o |
| (1) |
| o |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the more open sound, and which has the more closed sound? |
| goat/got |
| (1) |
| goat/got |
| (1) |
| "Goat" has the more closed sound, and "got" has the more open sound. |
| Let's try another. |
| boat/bought |
| (1) |
| boat/bought |
| (1) |
| "Bought" has the more open sound, and "boat" 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) |
| Her hope rises as she hops into the car. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| Her hope rises as she hops into the car. |
| (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) |
| You ought to eat oats more often. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| You ought to eat oats more often. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Let's try another. Which words have the more open sound, and which have the more closed sound? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| I bought a new boat, but I want a bigger one. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| I bought a new boat, but I want a bigger one. |
| (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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