This episode introduces three idioms that use the word nut. Listen to the examples to hear how to use them. Please send me a message if you would like a copy of the audio script.

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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)

Homophones: each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, for example new and knew.

“You bare your skin when you wear a bikini.”

Bear: 1) To endure or carry on. 2) A large furry animal

“There is someone in the bear cage! I can’t bear to watch!”

Bored: Having a lack of interest.

“I was so bored during that speech. I almost fell asleep.”

Board: 1) A thin flat piece of material. 2) The decision-makers within an organization.

“The board of directors at the Surf Club have decided which surf board we should use.”

Toe: You have five of them on each foot.

“I stubbed my toe today and it’s still throbbing.”

Tow: To pull another vehicle, possibly by a rope or chains.

“After a car accident a tow truck will come and tow your vehicle away.”

Through: Going in on one side and coming out the other.

“The road is blocked and I can’t get through. There might be an accident.”

Threw: To hurl, or to propel with force (the past tense of ‘throw’).

“He threw the ball really fast.”

Meet: To encounter

“I will meet you tomorrow around 3 PM.”

Meat: The flesh of an animal that’s eaten as food.

“What meat would you like for dinner, chicken or beef?”

Break: 1) To interrupt something. 2) To shatter or fracture.

“We should take a break from dancing before we break our backs.”

Brake: A device for stopping a vehicle.

“I need to get my car checked, I think the brakes are going.”

I hope this clears things up a bit for you. Still confused? Ask questions in your next class, we will be happy to help.

Nit-Picky English with Nika 

Common Homophones (words that sound alike)

words

1. Pronunciation
2.Cupboard
3.Epitome
4.Salmon
5. Library
6.Definitely
7.Ask
8.Wednesday

English words and pronunciation

New English words and their pronunciation

胸有成竹[xiōng yǒu chéng zhú]：chest;mind/has/become/bamboo；to have a well-thought-out plan；have a preconceived idea at heart; have a well-thought-out plan beforehand;
eg：他对明天的考试胸有成竹。 tā duì míngtiān de kǎoshì xiōng yǒu chéng zhú。
         我的朋友总是胸有成竹。wǒ de péngyou zǒngshì xiōng yǒu chéng zhú 。
宋朝 sòng cháo：Song dynasty
文与可 wén yǔ kě：the name of a person
画家 huà jiā：painter; artist
房前屋后 fàng qián wū hòu：In front and behind the house
形态 xíng tài：form;shape;pattern
生动 shēng dòng：vivid;lively
逼真 bī zhēn：lifelike;true to life
形象 xíng xiàng：image;form;figure