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Mariam
How do you pronounce sixth?
When I try to hear natives saying it, I feel confused. I'm not sure if it is pronounced the same as six or is it pronounced like normal six then add th sound? which would be very difficult to pronounce.I'd appreciate more answers to have a better understanding of pronounciation varieties.
Sep 25, 2015 4:52 AM
Answers · 20
2
Yes, it is six and then -th. It isn't an easy word to pronounce - which is probably why it appears in tongue twisters, such as "The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick".
September 25, 2015
1
The word "six" ends with an /s/ sound. But this /s/ disappears when you say "sixth". If you try to say it with the /s/ then it will sound strange and be very hard.
Also, try saying "sick" - you should hear a clear /k/ sound at the end. But when you say "sixth", don't release the /k/ but move straight to the /θ/ ("th").
September 25, 2015
1
Please listen here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sixth
Click on the icon of the loudspeaker to hear an American man pronounce it. Click on the icon of the American flag to hear an American woman pronounce it, and on the British flag to hear an Englishman pronounce it.
September 25, 2015
There is no such thing as a "correct pronunciation", unless you are trying to pronounce "sixth" as "SEVENTH".
Having said that, here are the world's authorities on English pronunciation;
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/sixth
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/sixth
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sixth
http://www.ldoceonline.com/search/?q=sixth
http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/sixth-sense
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/sixth
https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=sixth&submit.x=40&submit.y=19
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sixth?s=t
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/sixth
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth
which leaves a zero possibility of any misunderstanding.
Unless of course you are doing a research project on English dialects or mispronunciations.
September 26, 2015
"pronounced like normal six then add th sound" = Yes (voiceless th).
"So should I pronounce it like this "sikth"?" No.
Some natives may have a slight lisp, in which case, yes, it would be "sikth". Or perhaps even "thikth".
September 25, 2015
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Mariam
Language Skills
Arabic, English
Learning Language
English
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