A podcast to improve listeners Spanish comprehension while learning some interesting aspects about Mexican culture.

¡Qué onda!

Welcome to the American English Pronunciation Guide. My name is Trevor Kafka, and I am your host.

There are many different varieties of American English. I was born and raised in New York, which has given me General American English pronunciation. The English that I speak has 15 vowel sounds. 

Please view the transcript for help while listening.

Today, we will talk about the vowel sound number 1 of 15: /æ/ black cat. The mouth must be open and wide for this sound, maybe a little more than you are used to in your native language.

Listen to me saying this sound and repeat: /æ/, /æ/, /æ/

Listen to and repeat the following single-syllable words:
black
cat
bad
can
have
laugh
sad
tax
thank

Listen to and repeat the following multiple-syllable words:
eggplant
gather
happen
master
command
family
unsatisfied
understand
imagine

Listen to and repeat the following sentences:
The mad cat had a hat.
It is bad to have a laugh when your family is sad.
I can imagine you’re unsatisfied with the master’s command.

I would like to thank Shirley Thompson and Karen Taylor for their work in developing the set of key phrases that I use with each vowel, such as /æ/ black cat, /eɪ/ grey day, etc. 

📢 American English Pronunciation Guide

Episode 1 - Vowels æ black cat (1 of 15)

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[前回より]   私は店員から二つのおにぎりとレシートを受け取ると自分のカバンに入れた。店内を見回すと客は私だけのようだ。それから店を出ると男が一人店の前の横に座っていた。


その男は気分が悪そうだ、顔を下に向けている。
そして、静かにゆっくり呼吸をしている。
私はその男が心配になったので、声をかけることにした。


私　「大丈夫ですか？」

男　「、、、、、」

私　「あの〜、だいじょうぶですか？」

男　「うっ、う〜ん。少しお酒を飲みすぎたみたい、気分がわるいけど、だいじょうぶ。あっ、ありがとう。　コンビニにあったレモン缶のお酒を500ml2本飲んだんだ。一気に飲んだから酔いが急に回ったみたいだ。おにいさん、水持っている？」

私　「　あっ、水ですか、これ新しいのがあるから飲んでください、あげます」

男　「お〜、助かるわ〜」

男は私が渡したペットボトルの水をゆっくり飲み始めた。それから、大きく深呼吸をした。



[単語リスト]

顔を下に向ける　かおをしたにむける

呼吸をする　こきゅうをする

声をかける　こえをかける

缶　かん

酔いが回る　よいがまわる

渡す　わたす




[文法説明]

1.~を　~に　動詞

顔　[を] 下　[に] 向ける

かばんを机におく

スマホをレジにかざす


2.~を　~に(人) 動詞


単語を先生に聞く

新しいアニメを友だちに教える



動詞　ます形　＋すぎる

飲みすぎる

食べすぎる

走りすぎる


動詞　ます形　＋始める

飲み始める

歩き始める

[道に立っている男]  は  歩き始めた





I took the two rice balls and the receipt from the clerk and put them in my bag. I looked around the store and I seemed to be the only customer. Then I left the store and saw a man sitting next to the front of the store.


The man looks sick, his face downcast.
And he is breathing quietly and slowly.
I was worried about him, so I decided to speak to him.


Me - "Are you okay?"

The man "、、、、、"

Me - "Um, are you okay?"

The guy "Ummm. I think I drank a little too much alcohol, I don't feel well, but I'm fine. Oh, thank you.　I drank two 500 ml bottles of lemon canned alcohol that I found at a convenience store. I drank them all at once, so I feel like I'm getting drunk too fast. Do you have any water?

I "Oh, water? I have a new one, please drink it, I'll give it to you.

The guy "Oh, thank you very much.

The man slowly began to drink from the plastic bottle I handed him. Then he took a deep breath.



[word list] [単語リスト]

to face down  顔を下に向ける　かおをしたにむける

to breathe       呼吸をする　こきゅうをする

to speak to  声をかける　こえをかける

a can   缶　かん

to get drunk    酔いが回る　よいがまわる

to pass  渡す　わたす







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