h-deletion in Connected Speech

Part 4 English Pronunciation Lesson

Series on Connected Speech in English

Part 1: Introduction to Connected Speech
Part 2: Connected Speech C + V (consonant + vowel)
Part 3: Connected Speech C + C (consonant + consonant)
Part 4: H-deletion in Connected Speech
Part 5: Connected Speech Practice

Introduction

Using connected speech and deleting the [h] sound in the beginning of some words can sometimes be an important part of speaking efficiently and understanding others.

Example

Instead of asking:

“Did he get it?” [dɪd hiy gɛt it]

connected speech and “h”-deletion allows us to remove the [h] sound in “he” and pronounce it as [iy]:

“Did he get it?” [dɪdiy gɛdit]

Do you hear how much faster and more native-like that sounds?

Listen and Repeat

“Did he get it?” [dɪd hiy gɛt ɪt] | NO CONNECTED SPEECH
“Did he get it?” [dɪdiy gɛdɪt] | WITH CONNECTED SPEECH

H-deletion Words

The following words are often pronounced quickly and without the [h] in the initial position.

he → [iy]
him → [ɪm]
his → [ɪz]
her → [ɚr]
has →[æz]
have → [æv]

Listen and Repeat

“Did he get the new car?” [dɪd hiy] → [Dɪ-diy]
“I want him to call me.” [wɑnt hɪm] → [Wɑ-nɪm]
“That’s his choice.” [ðæts hɪz] → [ðæ-tsɪz]
“She asked her to leave.” [asked her] → [ÆSK-tɚr] or [AST-ɚr] (see lesson on consonant clusters)
“It has eight legs.” [ɪt hæz] → [ɪ-dæz]
“We have a lot to do today.” [wiy hæv] → [wi-yæv]

Remember, improving your pronunciation in English is not about sounding perfect or exactly like an American. English language learners should improve their pronunciation so that they may be understood when communicating.

Also, knowing the rules of how Americans change the language when speaking will allow you to understand native English speakers much better. Because while you think we are speaking fast, what makes English difficult to understand is how the language is changed and transformed through connected speech.

Series on Connected Speech in English

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