Basic Pronunciation App

Fluency Mechanics

The Music of English

The Challenge: Thai is a Tonal Language (pitch changes meaning). English is a Stress-Based Language (loudness and length determine focus).

To sound fluent, you must master the "physical beat" of the language. This guide breaks it down into 4 pillars based on the mechanics of fluency.

Key Principle: Listen for the music, not just the words.

1. Vibration & Initial Sounds

Understanding Vocal Cord Vibration is the key to mastering ending sounds. Place your hand on your throat to feel the difference.

Voiceless (Air Only)	Voiced (Vibration)
p, t, k, s, sh, ch, f	b, d, g, v, l, m, n, r
No vibration in throat	Vibration (Buzzing)

Note: All Vowel Sounds are Voiced.

Test Yourself: Is the sound /z/ (as in "zoo") Voiced or Voiceless?

Voiced (It vibrates/buzzes) Voiceless (Air only)

2. The '-ed' Past Tense Rules

The ending sound depends strictly on the sound that comes before it.

• /id/: If word ends in /t/ or /d/ (e.g., wanted, needed)
• /t/: If word ends in a Voiceless sound (e.g., walked, talked)
• /d/: If word ends in a Voiced sound (e.g., saved, played)

Quiz: How do you pronounce the -ed in "Stopped"?
(Hint: The sound before -ed is /p/, which is voiceless)

/t/ (Stop-t) /id/ (Stop-id) /d/ (Stop-d)

3. Word Stress: The Heartbeat

The Golden Rule: One word has only ONE primary stress.

Two-Syllable Rule:

• Nouns/Adjectives: Stress the FIRST syllable.
  Examples: CHI-na, TA-ble, HAP-py
• Verbs: Stress the LAST syllable.
  Examples: re-CORD, pre-SENT, be-GIN

Quiz: Where is the stress in the verb "Present" (to give something)?

PRE-sent (First syllable) pre-SENT (Second syllable)

4. Stress in Compound Words

When two words join, the stress moves predictably.

• Compound Nouns: Stress the FIRST part.
  POST-man, BED-room, NEWS-pa-per
• Compound Verbs: Stress the SECOND part.
  over-LOOK, under-STAND

Quiz: Which pronunciation is correct for "Greenhouse"?

GREEN-house (First part) green-HOUSE (Second part)

5. Intonation: The Melody

Intonation changes the meaning of the sentence.

Falling Tone (↘):

• Statements ("That's my book.")
• Wh-Questions ("Who is that?")
• Commands ("Stop!")

Rising Tone (↗):

• Yes/No Questions ("Did you see Peter?")
• Polite Requests ("Pass the sugar?")

Quiz: You ask "Are you hungry?" (Yes/No Question). Does your voice go up or down?

Rising Tone (↗) Falling Tone (↘)

6. Rhythm: Stress-Timed

Thai: Syllable-Timed (Machine Gun). Every syllable gets equal time.

English: Stress-Timed (Morse Code). Time is determined by the number of stressed words.

ONE and a TWO

"Content Words" represent the big beats. "Grammar Words" are spoken quickly.