Are you a German speaker trying to master English pronunciation? You’re not alone! Many find the the process challenging, especially when faced with certain words that seem to go against pronunciation rules. Let’s jump into 5 particularly tricky words for German speakers.
1. "often"
In English, „often“ is pronounced with a silent „t,“ as in „off-en.“ This can feel very strange for German-speakers since there are no silent letters in their native language. They may, therefore, instinctively pronounce it as „off-ten,“ adding an extra syllable.
If this is a problem you run into, don’t be embarassed; not only is it a very common problem but is also a mistake made by many native English speakers, too!
2. "squirrel"
The word „squirrel“ presents a unique challenge due to its combination of consonants and vowels. German pronunciation tend to be more straightforward, with each letter typically receiving a specific sound. However, the „sq“ and „rl“ combinations, paired with the unique English „r“ sound, can trip up German speakers. Additionally, the „quir“ combination has the „w“ sound that doesn’t exist in German.
The important thing is to practice the individual parts separately and then put them all together, creating a word that sounds like „skwerl“.
3. "physicist"
„Physiker“ in German, this word isn’t difficult because it has any specifically difficult sound; it causes trouble because of the multiple ’s‘ sounds in a row, almost like a tongue-twister. Like „squirrel“ above, the trick is to break the word into syllables, like ‚fi-si-sist‘.
If you’re feeling particularly brave, try to make it plural!
4. "comfortable"
Many students have a challenging time with the word „comfortable“ due to its silent „r“ and unstressed syllables. German speakers may have trouble with the sequence of consonants and vowels, as well as the English characteristic of skipping syllables when speaking to make words shorter.
Pronouncing „comfortable“ as „com-fort-a-bel“ may feel more natural, but mastering the correct pronunciation („cumf-tur-bul“) requires some practice.
5. "sixth"
German speakers may stumble over „sixth“ due to its unusual combination of „xth“. Because the English „th“ sound doesn’t exist in German, it often causes difficulties for learners. Add an ‚x‘ sound beforehand and you have quite a task on your hands!
The „ksth“ sound is one that requires a lot of practice to master but as always, practice makes perfect!
Conclusion
Pronunciation is a challenging skill in any language but in English it can be especially tricky. with so many silent letters, cut syllables and letter combinations, it can be a nightmare for a language learner. If you are in this group, don’t worry; there are many options available to help you on your journey to fluency.
Many people watch English TV series and films, listen to podcasts or even take classes where they can practice their pronunciation with other who are working through the same problems. To look at what we currently have available, check out our course page or contact us for more information!
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