[p] vs. [b] in English
[p] vs. [b] in English
Introduction
An interesting pronunciation issue that native Arabic speakers in particular have is the difficulty distinguishing the [p] and the [b] sounds when speaking English. To a native English speaker, these sounds are very different.
Note that native Arabic speaking students don’t seem to have a problem hearing the difference between the two sounds or saying the two sounds differently when done intentionally. (This isn’t always the case, such as with Japanese-speaking students and the [l] and [r] sounds).
[p] vs. [b]
[p] and [b] are said with the same exact mouth position — the lips press together and then a puff of air is released.
• [p] as in “pet’
• [b] as in “boy”
The only difference between the two sounds, then, comes from the vibration in the vocal cords.
Practice
Step 1) Put your fingertips on the front of your throat, and say the sound [p]. What do you feel? 
• [p]
Step 2) Keep your fingertips on the front of your throat, and now say the sound [b]. Does this feel different?
• [b]
[p]
[p] is a voiceless sound with no vibration in the vocal cords.
You should NOT feel any vibration when you say [p]
[b]
[b] is a voiced sound, with vibration in the vocal cords.
You should feel vibration in the vocal cords when you say [b].
• • •
Do you feel the difference? Repeat the sounds.
• [p] [b]
• [p] [b]
Notice that the mouth position is the same for both sounds. So the vibration — or the lack of vibration — in the vocal cords make all the difference between [p] and [b].
(A note for all my students before we practice: if [p] and [b] are easy sounds for you, just practice the vowel sounds [iy] vs. [ɪ], and [æ] vs. [ɛ], as well as syllable stress and de-stressing, in the following words.)
Listen and Repeat (US English)
“people” [PiY pəl]
“pepper” [PɛP pər]
“pebble” [Pɛ bəl]
“public” [Pʌ blɪk]
“potato” [pə TeY dow]
“butter” [Bʌ dər]
“beeper” [BiY pər]
“back” [BÆK]
“baking” [BeY kIng]
“helicopter” [Hɛ lə kɑp tər]
“duped” [DUWPT]
“debit” [Dɛ bɪt]
“prohibit” [prə Hɪ bIt]
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