[b] vs. [v] in English Pronunciation
[b] vs. [v]
English Pronunciation Lesson
Series on Consonant Sounds in English
Introduction
Because Spanish doesn’t always distinguish the [v] vs. [b], many Spanish speakers fail to distinguish the two sounds when speaking English. However, the sounds are clearly different to a native English speaker and should be accurately produced so not to confuse the listener.
[v]
The key to saying the [v] sound correctly is to:
• put the top teeth against the bottom lip (or just behind the bottom lip); and
• vibrate.
Let’s practice.
[v]
Can you feel the top teeth vibrating against the bottom lip?
[v]
[b]
To create the [b] sound:
• press your lips together; and
• release one strong puff of air.
• the vocal cords should vibrate.
Let’s Practice
[b]
[b]
Notice that you can hold the [v] sound for a long time, as opposed the [b], which is produced with one strong puff of air.
Let’s Practice
[v]…[v]…[v]…[v] (← hold)
[b] (← just one puff of air; can’t be held)
[v]…[v]…[v]…[v]
[b]
Listen and Repeat
Notice what how your lips and top teeth are interacting when producing the [b] and [v].
very [Vɛ riy]
berry [Bɛ riy]
volt [VOWLT]
bolt [BOWLT]
vest [VɛST]
best [BɛST]
have it [HÆV vɪt]
habit [HÆB bɪt]
vowel [VÆUW wəɫ]
bowel [BÆUW wəɫ]
vote [VOWT]
boat [BOWT]
van [VÆN]
ban [BÆN]
Series on Consonant Sounds in English
ElementalEnglish.com is your resource for free English language and pronunciation lessons, 無料オンライン英語教材, 免费在线英文课程, 免費在線英文課程, मुफ़्त ऑनलाइन अंग्रेज़ी, آنلائن مفت میں انگریزی سیکھئے, Kostenloser Englisch-Unterricht Online, Język angielski online, Học tiếng anh miễn phí, Libreng Pag-aaral ng Wikang Ingles sa Internet, Libreng Pag-aaral ng Wikang Ingles Online, دروس في اللغة الانجليزية على الانترنت مجانا, American English pronunciation, アメリカ英語の発音, 纯正美语发音, 純正美語發音, अमरीकी अंग्रेज़ी, امریکی انگریزی کا تلفّظ سیکھئے, Amerikanisches Englisch Aussprache, wymowa język angielski, Học tiếng anh miễn phí, Wastong Pagbigkas ng American English sa Internet, astong Pagbigkas ng, تعلم اللهجة الامريكية على الانترنت, American English Online
