American English Pronunciation: Which "th" sound ( ø or ∂) do I use?

                          

English has two "th" sounds, and there is a phonetic symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet for each one. Attendees in the seminar on American English Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals often ask me which "th" sound they should use for a given word.

If the word has a long vowel sound, use the voiced "th". An example is the word "bathe". If the word has a short vowel sound, use the unvoiced "th", as in the word "bath". If you are not sure,  use whichever sound comes naturally!

 

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Tips on how to stop interrupting others In the Presidential Debate last night, both candidates were interrupting others. While they probably did it out of frustration and to get their whole message before viewers in prime time, it created a negative backlash. Viewers found the interruptions to be disrespectful of each other. One viewer wondered if the debaters would also interrupt officials from other countries, for example. People with hearing loss often have trouble understanding two conversations occurring at once. Even those with normal hearing struggled at these times. In normal conversations, without the glare of television cameras and the lure of a huge audience, interrupting is still impolite. If you interrupt because you are worried you will forget what you are going to say, write down a few words about it. If you have no smart phone app for this, or pen and paper, use your finger to write the word on your thigh. This tactile feedback may help you remember what you wanted to say. Second, focus on what the other person is saying, not on your message. Wait 3 seconds after he stops speaking before you respond. This is especially helpful when on the telephone, where there is no visual image that could cue you the other person is about to speak again. Consider responding in writing, with an e-mail, text or letter, instead of in person. This gives you time to think about your message carefully. It may also allow the other person to feel like you really heard what he said. If you do interrupt by accident, apologize. Over time, you should make this error less and less. Business Speech Improvement provides communication skills coaching and e-books. Check out the options today!

Foreign accent modification training: the challenge in the southern USA

Many non-native professionals in the USA who speak English are frustrated by their difficulty pronouncing American English clearly. In their native countries, they report, work groups are expected to do whatever is needed to help workers do better, which may include helping them speak more clearly if needed.

In the Southern USA, many employers are hesitant to bring up the topic of unclear speech, fearing a possible discrimination lawsuit or that the worker will at the least be offended and possibly resign.

The result is the worker is left wondering why no-one cares to help him, and the company is hesitant to offer accent modification training services.

There are two ways to resolve this. Employees who want this help need to ask their Human Resource or Training and Development Department if the company will pay for this training. If the company chooses to offer the training, it should be done by explaining the impact unclear speech has on the department or company, and offering this training as an option if the employee wants it. (An unmotivated employee will learn very little, if anything.) The company can also offer this training to all employees who request it, so it is not limited to specific ones.

Business Speech Improvement offers many types of verbal skills training, from intensive seminars in American English Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals to regional accent modification, seminars on how to speak slower for those who talk too fast and need help to improve, and more!