n
t∫
oise consonantso cclusive-constrictive
fore-lingual
apical
palato-alveolar
bicentral
strong
Voiceless
oral
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“ch” “tch” |
[t∫] |
|
Change, match |
|
“t” |
[t∫] |
In unstressed combination “ture” |
Mixture, picture |
|
Comparison with the Russian [ч']. The Russian [ч’] is less energetic, the friction is weaker and is articulated with the blade of the tongue against the teeth ridge.
The Russian [ч’] is always palatalized, there is no non-palatalized counterpart in the Russian language.
d
u:
iphthongoidb ack
close (narrow variant)
rounded
long
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“oo” |
[u:] |
At the end of the word and before “l, m, n” |
Too, tool, loom, spoon |
|
“ou” |
[u:] |
In some words of French origin |
Group, rouble, route, soup |
|
“u” |
[u:] |
In the open syllable after “j, i, r” |
June, include, rule |
|
“ue” |
[u:] |
At the end of the word after “j, r, l” |
True |
|
“ui” |
[u:] |
After “j, l, r” |
Cruise, fruit, juice |
|
“o” |
[u:] |
|
To, lose |
|
“ew” |
[u:] |
|
News |
|
“oe” |
[u:] |
|
Shoe |
|
Comparison with the Russian Vowel [y]. The Russian vowel [y] is more retracted and closer than the English vowel [u:]. The English vowel resembles the Russian one only at the end of its articulation. The Russian [y] is pronounced with the lips not only rounded but also protruded. It is a monophthong and is commonly short.
n
∫
oise consonantsc onstrictive
fricative
Voiceless
strong
fore-lingual
palato-alveolar
apical
oral
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“c” |
[∫] |
Before unstressed “i” + vowel |
Social, special |
|
“ch” |
[∫] |
In the words of French origin |
Machine |
|
“ss” |
[∫] |
Before unstressed “io, ia” |
Mission, Russia |
|
“sh” |
[∫] |
|
She, wash |
|
“t” |
[∫] |
Before the unstressed “i” + vowel |
Essential, intention |
[z] transition |
Comparison with the Russian [ш, ш', ж]. These Russian fricatives are articulated in the same way, only they are dorsal, i.e. the blade of the tongue is close to the back part of the teeth ridge. [ш’] is produced with the front part of the tongue raised very high, eg щи, щёки.
m
æ
onophthongf ront
open (broad variant)
unrounded
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“a” |
rare [æ] |
In the final unstressed syllable before “ph” |
Paragraph, photograph |
|
“a” |
[æ] |
In the closed syllable
|
Back, scanty, battle |
[a:] example, sample |
“a” |
[æ] |
In the open syllable of some two-syllabic words with the letter “i” in the post-stressed syllable |
Habit, rapid, valid |
|
“a” |
[æ] |
“a” + “rr” + consonant |
Carry, narrow |
[a:] starry |
Comparison with the Russian vowel [э]. The Russian vowel [э] is less open and slightly more retracted than the English vowel [æ].