Chapter 1 : Phonetics

The Alphabet and Phonetic Symbols

The English language consists of 26 letters that are capable of representing an extensive array
of sounds. To efficiently tackle these complexities, phonetic symbols come into play. These
symbols are standardized representations of sounds based on the International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA). The IPA, with its comprehensive set of symbols for every possible human
sound, serves as a universal key to pronunciation.

For EFL (English as a Foreign Language) and ESL (English as a Second Language) students,
IPA proves to be an invaluable tool. By understanding and applying IPA symbols, students
can gain a more precise idea of how any English word should be pronounced, even if they
haven’t encountered it before. This knowledge is particularly beneficial in the context of
English, where spelling rarely offers explicit instruction to pronunciation.

Here is a simplified list of English alphabet letters and their corresponding phonetic symbols
(Please note, English has many more sounds than these, and pronunciation can vary):

1. A /æ/ as in “cat”, /eɪ/ as in “make”

2. B /b/ as in “ball”
3. C /k/ as in “cat”, /s/ as in “cent”
4. D /d/ as in “dog”
5. E /ɛ/ as in “pen”, /iː/ as in “see”
6. F /f/ as in “fish”
7. G /g/ as in “goat”, /dʒ/ as in “giraffe”
8. H /h/ as in “hat”
9. I /ɪ/ as in “pin”, /aɪ/ as in “nine”
10. J /dʒ/ as in “jump”
11. K /k/ as in “kite”
12. L /l/ as in “lamp”
13. M /m/ as in “mouse”
14. N /n/ as in “nose”
15. O /ɔ/ as in “dog”, /oʊ/ as in “go”
16. P /p/ as in “pen”
17. Q /kw/ as in “queen”
18. R /r/ as in “red”
19. S /s/ as in “snake”
20. T /t/ as in “turtle”
21. U /ʌ/ as in “fun”, /juː/ as in “use”
22. V /v/ as in “violin”
23. W /w/ as in “wheel”
24. X /ks/ as in “box”
25. Y /j/ as in “yes”
26. Z /z/ as in “zebra”
Examples and Exercises
Each IPA symbol signifies a unique sound. For instance, the symbol /p/ represents the sound
in ‘pin,’ and /θ/ symbolizes the ‘th’ sound as in ‘thin.’ Learners can apply their understanding
of these symbols through numerous exercises and drills, thus developing a comprehensive
grasp of English pronunciation over time.
 Cette photo par Auteur inconnu est soumise à la licence CC BY-SA

Transcriptions

Consonants
IPA
Phoneme Graphemes Examples Voiced?
Symbol
1 b b, bb bug, bubble Yes
2 d d, dd, ed dad, add, milled Yes
3 f f, ff, ph, gh, lf, ft fat, cliff, phone, enough, half, often No
4 g g, gg, gh,gu,gue gun, egg, ghost, guest, prologue Yes
5 h h, wh hop, who No
jam, wage, giraffe, edge, soldier,
6 dʒ j, ge, g, dge, di, gg Yes
exaggerate
k, c, ch, cc, lk, qu kit, cat, chris, accent, folk, bouquet,
7 k No
,q(u), ck, x queen, rack, box
8 l l, ll live, well Yes
 IPA
Phoneme Graphemes Examples Voiced?
Symbol
9 m m, mm, mb, mn, lm man, summer, comb, column, palm Yes
net, funny, know, gnat, pneumonic,
10 n n, nn,kn, gn, pn, mn Yes
mnemonic
11 p p, pp pin, dippy No
12 r r, rr, wr, rh run, carrot, wrench, rhyme Yes
s, ss, c, sc, ps, st, sit, less, circle, scene, psycho, listen,
13 s No
ce, se pace, course
14 t t, tt, th, ed tip, matter, thomas, ripped No
15 v v, f, ph, ve vine, of, stephen, five Yes
16 w w, wh, u, o wit, why, quick, choir Yes
zed, buzz, his, scissors, xylophone,
17 z z, zz, s, ss, x, ze, se Yes
craze
18 ʒ s, si, z treasure, division, azure Yes
19 tʃ ch, tch, tu, te chip, watch, future, righteous No
sh, ce, s, ci, si, ch, sham, ocean, sure, special, pension,
20 ʃ No
sci, ti machine, conscience, station
21 θ th thongs No
22 ð th leather Yes
23 ŋ ng, n, ngue ring, pink, tongue Yes
24 j y, i, j you, onion, hallelujah Yes

Vowels
IPA
Phoneme Graphemes Examples
Symbol

25 æ a, ai, au cat, plaid, laugh

a, ai, eigh, aigh, ay, er, et, ei, bay, maid, weigh, straight, pay, foyer, filet, eight,
26 eɪ
au, a_e, ea, ey gauge, mate, break, they

end, bread, bury, friend, said, many, leopard,

27 ɛ e, ea, u, ie, ai, a, eo, ei, ae
heifer, aesthetic

e, ee, ea, y, ey, oe, ie, i, ei, eo, be, bee, meat, lady, key, phoenix, grief, ski,
28 i:
ay deceive, people, quay
 IPA
Phoneme Graphemes Examples
Symbol

29 ɪ i, e, o, u, ui, y, ie it, england, women, busy, guild, gym, sieve

i, y, igh, ie, uy, ye, ai, is, eigh, spider, sky, night, pie, guy, stye, aisle, island,
30 aɪ
i_e height, kite

31 ɒ a, ho, au, aw, ough swan, honest, maul, slaw, fought

o, oa, o_e, oe, ow, ough, eau, open, moat, bone, toe, sow, dough, beau, brooch,
32 oʊ
oo, ew sew

33 ʊ o, oo, u,ou look, bush, would

34 ʌ u, o, oo, ou lug, monkey, blood, double

o, oo, ew, ue, u_e, oe, ough, ui, who, loon, dew, blue, flute, shoe, through, fruit,
35 u:
oew, ou manoeuvre, group

36 ɔɪ oi, oy, uoy join, boy, buoy

37 aʊ ow, ou, ough now, shout, bough

38 ə a, er, i, ar, our, ur about, ladder, pencil, dollar, honour, augur

39 eəʳ air, are, ear, ere, eir, ayer chair, dare, pear, where, their, prayer

40 ɑ: a arm

41 ɜ:ʳ ir, er, ur, ear, or, our, yr bird, term, burn, pearl, word, journey, myrtle

aw, a, or, oor, ore, oar, our, paw, ball, fork, poor, fore, board, four, taught, war,
42 ɔ:
augh, ar, ough, au bought, sauce

43 ɪəʳ ear, eer, ere, ier ear, steer, here, tier

44 ʊəʳ ure, our cure, tourist

Diphtongs

Definition : a diphthong is a vowel in which the speaker's tongue changes position while it is
being pronounced, so that the vowel sounds like a combination of two other vowels. The
vowel sound in ' tail' is a diphthong.

Find words that match the following ‘sliding vowels’ or diphthongs.

/eɪ/

/aɪ/

/ɔɪ/

/ɪə/

/eə/

/ʊə/

/əʊ/

/aʊ/
 Adele – Someone like you
ADELE “SOMEONE LIKE YOU” ADELE “SOMEONE LIKE YOU”

1. Complete the lyrics with the missing 1. Complete the lyrics with the missing words
words
I heard that you're (1)_______________,
I heard that you're (1)_______________, That you found a girl and you're married now,
That you found a girl and you're married now, I heard that your (2)____________ came true,
I heard that your (2)____________ came true, Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you, Old friend, why are you so shy?
Old friend, why are you so shy? Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the (3)
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the (3) ___________,
___________,
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it, I had hoped you'd see my face,
I had hoped you'd see my face, And that you'd be (4)_____________ that for me it
And that you'd be (4)_____________ that for me it isn't over,
isn't over,
Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
Never mind, I'll find someone like you, I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too, Don't (5)_______________ me, I beg,
Don't (5)_______________ me, I beg, I remember you said,
I remember you said, "Sometimes it lasts in love,
"Sometimes it lasts in love, But sometimes it hurts instead,"
But sometimes it hurts instead," Sometimes it lasts in love,
Sometimes it lasts in love, But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,
You know how the (6) ______________ flies,
You know how the (6) ______________ flies, Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives, We were born and raised in a summer haze,
We were born and raised in a summer haze, Bound by the (7) _________________ of our glory
Bound by the (7) _________________ of our glory days,
days,
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Nothing compares, No worries or cares,
Nothing compares, No worries or cares, Regrets and (8) _____________, they're memories
Regrets and (8) _____________, they're memories made,
made, Who would have known how bittersweet this would
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?
taste?
2. Find in the lyrics word that contain the following
2. Find in the lyrics word that contain the following sounds:
sounds: - /au/___________________________
- /au/___________________________ - /ei/ ___________________________
- /ei/ ___________________________ - /ai/___________________________
- /ai/___________________________ - /ð/____________________________
- /ð/____________________________ - /Ө/ ___________________________
- /Ө/ ___________________________ - /ʃ/ ____________________________
- /ʃ/ ____________________________ - /ŋ/ ___________________________
- /ŋ/ ___________________________ 3. Find in the lyrics words which are pronounced in
3. Find in the lyrics words which are pronounced in the following way:
the following way: [`memərɪ] -
[`memərɪ] - [hə:t] -
[hə:t] - [lʌv] -
[lʌv] - ['əʊvə] -
 ['əʊvə] - [`wʌrɪ] -
[`wʌrɪ] - [kəm`peə(r)] -
[kəm`peə(r)] - 4. Write the phonetic transcription of the
4. Write the phonetic transcription of the following:
following: girl -
girl - find -
find - nothing -
nothing - married -
married - sometimes -
sometimes -

Voiceless consonants

Voiced consonants

Vowels

Diphtongs

The ough group

Word Phonetic transcription

Through

Thought

Though

Thou, drought

Tough

Cough

Hiccough

Thorough
Transcribe phonetically / /

1. Vowels

Feel Fill Fell

Been Bin Ben

Lead Lid Led

Seat Sit Set

Seeks Six Sex

Reaches Riches Wretches

Pen Pan Pun

Bet Bat But

Bucks Barks Box

2. Consonants
Fin / fin / Thin θɪn

Offer / ˈɒfər / Author / ˈɔːθə/

Deaf Death

Path Pass

Breathe Breeze

Said Shed

Choke Joke

Rich Ridge
Yet Jet

Dune June

Cup Curb

Toes Doze

Kate Gate

Verse Worse

Vine Wine

Use Juice

Frequent words

Balance Banana Base Base

Base Bathe Beak Beard

Beast Because Biscuit Board

Boast Bold Bomb Bother

Bow & arrow Bow Bowl Break

Breakfast Brother Brush Bullet

Bully Bush Buttock Button

Broad Broadcast

Canada Canal Canoe Cause

Cease Choose Chose Clergy

Clerk Close Close Clover

Cough Country County Cover

Decrease (n) Decrease (v) Defence Desert

Desert (= sand) Dessert Desert (v)

Devil Dialogue Doll Don

Raid Recognize Recommend Record (n)

Record (v) Refuse (n) Refuse (v) Regent

Scissors Secret Seize Seizure

Threat Threaten Through Toad

Tomb Tongue Tough Treat

Wealth Weapon Weave Weigh

Won Wonder Wound Wound

Year Yield Zealand Zero

 Momma – Kendrick Lamar

Rhyme patterns – Can you find rhymes ? è

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGW73xEWgQQ

Oh shit! I need that

I need that sloppy
That sloppy
Like a Chevy in quicksand
Yeah, that sloppy
This feelin' is unmatched
This feelin' is brought to you by adrenaline and good rap
Black Pendleton ball cap
(West, west, west)
We don't share the same synonym, fall back
(West, west, west)
Been in it before internet had new acts
Mimicking radio's nemesis made me wack
My innocence limited the experience lacked
Ten of us with no tentative tactic that cracked
The mind of a literate writer, but I did it in fact
You admitted it once I submitted it wrapped in plastic
Remember scribblin' scratchin' dilligent sentences backwards
Visiting freestyle cyphers for your reaction
Now I can live in a stadium, pack it the fastest
Gamblin' Benjamin benefits, sinnin' in traffic
Spinnin' women in cartwheels, linen fabric on fashion
Winnin' in every decision
Kendrick is master that mastered it
Isn't it lovely how menaces turned attraction?
Pivotin' rappers, finish your fraction while writing blue magic
Thank God for rap, I would say it got me a plaque
But what's better than that?
The fact it brought me back home
We been waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
I know everything
I know everything, know myself
I know morality, spirituality, good and bad health
I know fatality might haunt you
I know everything, I know Compton
I know street shit, I know shit that's conscious
I know everything, I know lawyers, advertisement and sponsors
I know wisdom, I know bad religion, I know good karma
I know everything, I know history
I know the universe works mentally
I know the perks of bullshit isn't meant for me
I know everything, I know cars, clothes, hoes, and money
I know loyalty, I know respect, I know those that's ornery
I know everything, the highs, the lows, the groupies, the junkies
I know if I'm generous at heart, I don't need recognition
The way I'm rewarded, well, that's God's decision
I know you know that line's for Compton School District
Just give it to the kids, don't gossip about how it was distributed
I know how people work
I know the price of life, I'm knowin' how much it's worth
I know what I know and I know it well not to ever forget
Until I realized I didn't know shit
The day I came home
We been waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
Waitin' for you
I met a little boy that resembled my features
Nappy afro, gap in his smile
Hand-me-down sneakers bounced through the crowd
Run a number on man and woman that crossed him
Sun beamin' on his beady beads exhausted
Tossin' footballs with his ashy black ankles
Breakin' new laws, mama passed on home trainin'
He looked at me and said, Kendrick you do know my language
You just forgot because of what public schools had painted
Oh, I forgot, 'Don't Kill My Vibe', that's right, you're famous
I used to watch on Channel 5, TV was taken
But never mind you're here right now don't you mistake it
It's just a new trip, take a glimpse at your family's ancestor
Make a new list, of everything you thought was progress
And that was bullshit
I know your life is full of turmoil
Spoiled by fantasies of who you are, I feel bad for you
I can attempt to enlighten you without frightenin' you
If you resist, I'll back off quick, go catch a flight or two
But if you pick destiny over rest in peace then be an advocate
Tell your homies especially to come back home
This is a world premiere
This is a world premiere
This is a world premiere
I been lookin for you my whole life, an appetite
For the feeling I can barely describe, where you reside?
Is it in a woman, is it in money, or mankind?
Tell me something got me losing my mind, ah!
You make me wanna jump
(Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump)
(Let's talk about love)
(Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump)
(Let's talk about love)
(Let's talk about love)
(Let's talk about love)
I been lookin for you my whole life, an appetite
For the feeling I can barely describe, where you reside?
Is it in a woman, is it in money, or mankind?
Tell me something think I'm losing my mind, ah!
I say where you at, from the front to the back
I'm lookin' for you I react, only when you react
Ah, I thought I found you, back in the ghetto
When I was seventeen with the .38 Special
Maybe you're in a dollar bill, maybe you're not real
Maybe only the wealthy get to know how you feel
Maybe I'm paranoid, ha, maybe I don't need you anyway
Don't lie to me I'm suicidal anyday
I can be your advocate
I can preach for you if you tell me what the matter is
NUMBER HOMOPHONES

1. One, won

One (noun): The number that comes after 0 but before 2.

My son is one year old today.

Won (verb): The past tense of ‘win’.

The football team won two games in a row.

2. Two, to, too

Two (noun): The number that comes after 1 and before 3, a pair.
He bought two packets of crisps.

To (preposition): In the direction of a particular location.

I am going to the shop.

Too (adverb): To a higher degree than desired, also.

The girl was too tired to work. I was tired too.

3. Four, for

Four (noun): The number that comes after 3 and before 5.

The clock struck four.

For (preposition): If someone receives something, if something is done for a reason.

I bought John some sweets for his birthday (for him to eat).

It is common for native speakers to use numbers in online chat or SMS messages. For
example, you can write ‘before’ like ‘b4’ and ‘forget’ as ‘4get’. This is because ‘for’ sounds
the same as ‘four’ (4). Another common example is ‘m8’ (mate – friend).
4. Eight, ate

Eight (noun): The number that comes after 7 and before 9.

There were only eight days left until Christmas.
Ate (verb): Past tense form of ‘eat’.
We ate dinner together then went home.

PRONOUN HOMOPHONES (+ contractions & determiners)

37. I, eye

I (pronoun): Used by a speaker to refer to himself/herself.

I did not enjoy the film.

Eye (noun): The pair of organs that allow us to see.

He is blind in one eye.

38. I’ll, isle, aisle

I’ll (contraction): Short form of ‘I will’.

I’ll get to school on time if there is no traffic today.

Isle (noun): A small island.

We go on holiday every year to the Isle of Wight.

Aisle (noun): Passage between two rows of seats.

Passengers must not leave their bags in the aisle at any time.

NOTE: While ‘isle’ and ‘aisle’ are always homophones in British English, the contracted
form ‘I’ll’ is pronounced differently in many regional accents (isle vs. aal). The same is true
for similar contractions like ‘you’ll’ (yule vs. yorl) and ‘we’ll’ (wheel vs. wirl).

39. You, ewe, yew

You (pronoun): Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Would you like to come round for dinner sometime next week?

Ewe (noun): Female sheep.

The little lamb followed its mother as the ewe crossed the field.
Yew (noun): Type of evergreen tree.
Traditional English longbows were often made from yew (wood).

40. You’ll, Yule

You’ll (contraction): Short form of ‘you will’.

I think you’ll improve your piano playing with practice.

Yule (noun): Old word for Christmas.

The word ‘Yule’ is still used in old Christmas songs and religious hymns.

41. You’re, your

You’re (contraction): Short form of ‘you are’.

You’re my best friend.

Your (determiner): Belonging to the person the speaker is addressing.

Hi, I’m Jack! What’s your name?

42. Our, hour

Our (determiner): Belonging to the speaker and one or more other person.
We both got our hair cut at the same place!

Hour (noun): Period of 60 minutes.

The queue for the roller coaster was over an hour so we didn’t go on it.

NOTE: In many regional accents of British English, ‘our’ and ‘are’ will be homophones. For
example, in the sentence ‘Our (ar) friends are (ar) coming to stay’ the words ‘our’ and ‘are’
can be pronounced in exactly the same way.
 Homophony - same pronunciation, different spelling -

Word Homophone Phonetic transcription //

Allowed
Blue
Berry
Cereal
Days
Road
Higher
Key
Nose
Male
Crews
Flower
Piece
Sight
Sweet
Sort
Steak
Hole
One
Feet
 Sentences

These geese are easy to feed

His daughter was born in New York during the war.

Look, don’t put your foot on that book !

They painted the table pale grey the other to save it from staining in the rain

I am sure this is the newer, said the brewer, and purer than the drink in that ewer.

As though in a dream he drove the car to Droitwich through the drenching rain.

Why won’t you wait until Wednesday for a review in the newspaper ?
 Passages

1. The other day, while I was having a quiet nap in my drawing room, I woke up with a
start and discovered that there was someone sitting in my armchair by the fire. At first
I thought it was a visitor, but I was soon to discover that it was the ghost of a long-
forgotten inhabitant of the castle where my parents had lived several years ago.

/ðI ˈʌðə deɪ waɪl aɪ wəz ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈkwaɪət næp ɪn maɪ ˈdrɔɪŋ ruːm, aɪ woʊk ʌp wɪð ə stɑːrt ənd
dɪsˈkʌvərd ðæt ðɛr wəz ˈsʌmwʌn ˈsɪtɪŋ ɪn maɪ ˈɑrmˌʧɛr baɪ ðə ˈfaɪər. æt ˈfɜrst aɪ θɔt ɪt wəz ə
ˈvɪzɪtər, bət aɪ wəz sun tə dɪsˈkʌvər ðæt ɪt wəz ðə ɡoʊst əv ə lɔŋ-fərˈɡɒtən ɪnˈhæbɪtənt əv ðə
ˈkæsəl wɛr maɪ ˈpɛrənts hæd lɪvd ˈsɛvrəl jɪərz əˈɡoʊ./

2. Have you ever heard anything that sounded as bad as a couple of elephants trying to
play the harp in a bathroom ? I have never had the privilege of attending that sort of
concert myself, and I must say I consider myself quite fortunate. My aunt, who goes to
the zoo quite regularly, thinks that animals should be encouraged to practice the arts.
Personally, I feel that if I cannot get my own son to play the piano, I shouldn’t insist
on my dog being able to sing in tune.

/hæv juː ˈɛvə hɜːrd ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ðət ˈsaʊndɪd əz bæd əz ə ˈkʌpəl əv ˈɛlɪfənts ˈtraɪɪŋ tuː pleɪ ðə hɑːrp
ɪn ə ˈbæθruːm? aɪ hæv ˈnɛvər hæd ðə ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ əv əˈtɛndɪŋ ðæt ˈsɔrt əv ˈkɑnsərt maɪˈsɛlf, ənd
aɪ məst seɪ aɪ kənˈsɪdər maɪˈsɛlf kwaɪt ˈfɔːrtʃənət. maɪ ˈænt, huː ɡoʊz tuː ðə zuː kwaɪt
ˈrɛɡjələri, ˈθɪŋks ðət ˈænəməlz ʃʊd bi ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒd tuː ˈpræktɪs ðə ɑrts. ˈpɜːrsənəli, aɪ fiːl ðət ɪf aɪ
ˈkænɒt ˈɡɛt maɪ ˈoʊn sʌn tuː pleɪ ðə piˈænoʊ, aɪ ˈʃʊdnt ɪnˈsɪst ɒn maɪ dɔɡ ˈbiɪŋ ˈeɪbl tuː sɪŋ ɪn
tun./

3. The fifth Roman legion advanced boldly through the forest and across the heath.

4. The are many good reasons to use the standard pronunciation proposed by the Oxford
professor.
è

5. You should read a couple of good books on foreign birds. Birdwatchers say that those
with drawings are more interesting than those with photographs.

6. /wɛn hɪz pleɪn wəz ʃɒt daʊn ˈoʊvər ˈdoʊvər, ðə ˈpaɪlət ɪsˈkeɪpt wɪð hɪz ˈpærəʃuːt ənd
traɪd tuː meɪk ə sɒft ˈlændɪŋ ɒn ðə ʃɔrz əv ˈbrɪtən. bət hiː ɡɒt ɪnˈtæŋɡəld ɪn ə pruːn tri
ɪn ðə ˈɡɑːrdən əv ðə ˈvɪkərɪdʒ. hiː fɛlt rɪˈdɪkjʊləs əz ðə ˈʧɪldrən əv ðə ˈvɪlɪdʒ keɪm tuː
siː hɪm ˈdæŋɡəl ət ə fjuː ˈɪnʧɪz frəm ðə ˈflaʊər-struːn ˈlɔn ənd ðə ˈpɑrsənz roʊz-bɛdz.
bət wʌt ˈhæpənd tuː hɪz ˈkɑmˌreɪdz? hiː ˈnɛvər faʊnd aʊt, jʊ noʊ./

7. When the Germanic peoples were Christianized, English, Scandinavian and German
became imbued with Christian lexicon which was the ready springboard for entirely
new metaphors. When Japan was opened up in the nineteenth century, thought and
language speedily became flooded with industrial and mechanical ideas.

è
 8. /ˈreɪsɪzm ɪz ə ˈfɪləˌsəfi beɪst ɒn kənˈtɛmpt fɔr laɪf. ɪt ɪz ðə ˈærəɡənt əˈsɜrʃən ðət wʌn
reɪs ɪz ðə ˈsɛntrə əv ˈvæljuː ənd ˈɒbdʒɪkt əv dɪˈvoʊʃən fɔr wɪʧ ˈʌðər reɪsɪz ˈmʌst nil ɪn
səbˈmɪʃən. ɪt ɪz ðə əbˈsɜrd ˈdɒɡmə ðət wʌn reɪs ɪz rɪˈspɒnsəbl fɔr ɔl ðə ˈprɑɡrɛs ɪn
ˈhɪstəri ənd əˈloʊn kən əˈʃʊr ðə ˈprɑɡrɛs əv ðə ˈfjuːtʃər. ˈreɪsɪzəm ɪz ˈtoʊtl̩
ɪsˈtreɪndʒmənt. ɪt ˈsɛpəˌreɪts ˈnɑt oʊnli ˈbɑdiz, bət ˈmaɪndz ənd ˈspɪrɪts. ˌɪnˈɛvɪtəbli ɪt
dɪˈsɛndz tuː ɪnˈflɪktɪŋ ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl ɔr ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈhɒmɪsɪd on ðə ˈaʊt-ɡruːp./

9. These photographs were taken near the stairs where Mary and Peter were to share their
first moments of tender care and discover they were in love. The mayor married them
in a merry ceremony.

10. /wər jʊ ˈðɛr ˈwɛn ðə ˈlɛpərdz ɪsˈkeɪpt? noʊ, ˈwɛr ˈdɪd ðeɪ ɪsˈkeɪpt frʌm? frʌm ðə zu, əv
kɔrs, jʊ ˈsɒsɪdʒ, bɪˈkəz ðə ˈɡeɪts hæd bɪn lɛft ˈoʊpən baɪ ðə ɡɑrdz. naʊ ðə hoʊl ˈkʌntri
ɪz ˈpænɪkˌstrɪkən./
 Tongue Twisters

1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
2. Betty Botter bought some butter
But she said the butter’s bitter
If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter
But a bit of better butter will make my batter better
So ‘twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter
3. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck
could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as
much wood
As a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood
4. She sells seashells by the seashore.
5. How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?
6. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
7. I saw Susie sitting in a shoeshine shop.
8. Susie works in a shoeshine shop. Where she shines she sits, and
where she sits she shines.
9. Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy Wuzzy
wasn’t fuzzy, was he?
10. Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?
11. I have got a date at a quarter to eight; I’ll see you at the
gate, so don’t be late.
12. You know New York, you need New York, you know you
need unique New York.
13. I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
14. If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes does he choose?
15. I thought I thought of thinking of thanking you.
16. I wish to wash my Irish wristwatch.
17. Near an ear, a nearer ear, a nearly eerie ear.
18. Eddie edited it.
19. Willie’s really weary.
20. A big black bear sat on a big black rug.
21. Tom threw Tim three thumbtacks.
22. He threw three free throws.
23. Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
24. So, this is the sushi chef.
25. Four fine fresh fish for you.
26. Wayne went to wales to watch walruses.
27. Six sticky skeletons. (x3)
28. Which witch is which? (x3)
29. Snap crackle pop. (x3)
30. Flash message. (x3)
31. Red Buick, blue Buick. (x3)
32. Red lorry, yellow lorry. (x3)
33. Thin sticks, thick bricks. (x3)
34. Stupid superstition. (x3)
35. Eleven benevolent elephants. (x3)
 36. Two tried and true tridents. (x3)
37. Rolling red wagons. (x3)
38. Black back bat. (x3)
39. She sees cheese. (x3)
40. Truly rural. (x3)
41. Good blood, bad blood. (x3)
42. Pre-shrunk silk shirts. (x3)
43. Ed had edited it. (x3)
44. We surely shall see the sun shine soon.
45. Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?
46. Fred fed Ted bread, and Ted fed Fred bread.
47. I slit the sheet, the sheet I slit, and on the slitted sheet I sit.
48. A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the
stump thunk the skunk stunk.
49. Lesser leather never weathered wetter weather better.
50. Of all the vids I’ve ever viewed, I’ve never viewed a vid as
valued as Alex’s engVid vid.

How many of these hard tongue twisters can you say without
stumbling?

A team of researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology say that this is the most
difficult tongue twister in the world. Can you say it ten times fast? The psychologists who
created this tongue twister said that people who attempted to say it either stopped right in the
middle of saying it because it was too difficult or could only get through it once and weren’t
able to repeat it. If you couldn’t get this one, give these other hard tongue twisters a try.

Pulled cod
“Pad kid poured curd pulled cod.”

A tutor and a flute

“A tutor who tooted the flute tried to teach two young tooters to toot. Said the two to the
tutor, ‘Is it harder to toot, or to tutor two tooters to toot?'”
Poetry aficionados, did you notice that this tongue twister is also a limerick?

Brave brigadiers
“Brisk brave brigadiers brandished broad bright blades, blunderbusses, and
bludgeons—balancing them badly.”
This tongue twister is a lot longer, so it’s not much easier. You’ll really have to learn to
balance your tongue on your teeth correctly to get this one.

Mad cow
“If you must cross a coarse, cross cow across a crowded cow crossing, cross the cross,
coarse cow across the crowded cow crossing carefully.”
You probably don’t want to stand in the way of a coarse, cross cow. But if you try to teach
him this tongue twister, he may get distracted from his anger and not hurt you.

Butter for Betty

“Betty bought a bit of butter. But the butter Betty bought was bitter. So Betty bought a
better butter, and it was better than the butter Betty bought before.”
The idea of bitter butter might put a bad taste in your mouth…if these difficult tongue twisters
aren’t already doing that!

Clam in a can
“How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?”
Trying to get a clam into a can may be easier than saying this tongue twister ten times fast.

Imaginary menagerie
“Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager managing an imaginary menagerie.”
We’d be happy to imagine an imaginary menagerie because keeping animals in captivity isn’t
very nice.
EMMA KUMER/RD.COM
Unique New York
“I like New York, unique New York, I like unique New York.”
We’re in a New York state of…confusion.

EMMA KUMER/RD.COM
Toast for saints
“Send toast to ten tense stout saints’ ten tall tents.”
If these saints are tense and stout, you’re going to want to send a lot of toast.
Check out these 50 best examples of hyperbole.

EMMA KUMER/RD.COM
Warriors at the brewery
“Rory the warrior and Roger the worrier were reared wrongly in a rural brewery.”
After being at the brewery, Rory and Roger probably wouldn’t be able to say this tongue
twister.
Here are some funny words you probably never knew about.

Scissors and thistles

“Scissors sizzle, thistles sizzle.”
Handle with care. Did you know that “sizzle” is an example of onomatopoeia?
EMMA KUMER/RD.COM
Sick hicks
“Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks.”
Get your “s” and “k” sounds ready—this one is really tricky.
This tongue twisters might make you sound a little silly, but redeem yourself by using
these words that make you sound smart.

Wish of wishes
“I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I
won’t wish the wish you wish to wish.”
There are a lot of wishes going on here, which makes this a hard tongue twister to tackle!
 Eminem – Lose Yourself – Rhymes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dmhtgpVJc4

"Lose Yourself"

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment
Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

Yo! His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already: Mom's spaghetti
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out
He's choking, how? Everybody's joking now
The clock's run out, time's up, over, blaow!
Snap back to reality, ope there goes gravity, ope
There goes Rabbit, he choked, he's so mad but he won't
Give up that easy, no, he won't have it, he knows
His whole back's to these ropes, it don't matter, he's dope
He knows that but he's broke, he's so stagnant, he knows
When he goes back to this mobile home, that's when it's
Back to the lab again yo, this whole rhapsody
Better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him, and

You better lose yourself in the music

The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

His soul's escaping through this hole that is gaping

This world is mine for the taking, make me king
As we move toward a New World Order
A normal life is boring; but superstardom's
Close to post-mortem, it only grows harder
Homie grows hotter, he blows, it's all over
These hoes is all on him, coast-to-coast shows
He's known as the Globetrotter, lonely roads
God only knows, he's grown farther from home, he's no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
But hold your nose, 'cause here goes the cold water
These hoes don't want him no mo', he's cold product
They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose-dove and sold nada, and so the soap opera
Is told, it unfolds, I suppose it's old, partner
But the beat goes on: da da dum da dum da da da da

You better lose yourself in the music

The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

No more games, I'ma change what you call rage

Tear this motherfuckin' roof off like two dogs caged
I was playin' in the beginning, the mood all changed
I've been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhymin' and stepped right in the next cypher
Best believe somebody's payin' the Pied Piper
All the pain inside amplified by the
Fact that I can't get by with my 9-to-5
And I can't provide the right type of life for my family
'Cause man, these goddamn food stamps don't buy diapers
And there's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard, and it's gettin' even harder
Tryna feed and water my seed, plus teeter-totter
Caught up between bein' a father and a prima donna
Baby mama drama, screamin' on her, too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony's
Gotten me to the point I'm like a snail, I've got
To formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherfuckin' option, failure's not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer's got
To go; I cannot grow old in Salem's Lot
So here I go, it's my shot: feet, fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got

You better lose yourself in the music

The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better…

You can do anything you set your mind to, man

Final task
Choose a song, present it to us and explain why you chose the text. Present the different
sounds that you liked in it and then, recite the text or, if you feel like, it sing the song. If you
want to, we may even sing along with you if you teach us.
Be creative !-)
Thank you !