Hi,
I'm currently studying the British pronunciation.
My problem is that despite I'm able to differenciate the vowel sounds in «cup» and «cap» when hearing them, I am not able to imitate the sounds perfectly. Both sound like the same coming out of my mouth!
Therefore, I'd like some advice about the position of the tongue and lips, for mispronouncing them could be a problem in my attempt to communicate.
Many thanks in advance.
If you have a Cockney accent, there's no difference at all! Cockneys lav a nice cap of tea.
This is not me. Or maybe it is me and I am not me.
If you have a Northern English accent it is easy to tell the difference between "cup" and "cap". They are pronounced very differently.
I am Simon. Maybe we should call ourselves Simon 1 and Simon 2 from now on. I'll be Simon 2. OK?
Steve, thanks for your links.
Jarec, I didn't get yours. As a matter-of-fact, I have Mac OS X and what the author of the site provides works for Mac OS 9 or earlier versions only.
Well, could you english speaking people (from anywhere) try to explain me how to pronounce the 2 different sounds?
By the way which Simon is which Simon???! I only know the one who lives in Belgium.
The vowel sound in 'cap' is a front vowel between open and open-mid, and the vowel sound in 'cup' is a centralised rounded close-mid vowel.
The difference between /^/ in cup and /@/ in cap is that /@/ is pronounced with your mouth wide open and your tongue at the bottom. Practise it.
Sara, Both of the words are played out on the links. Can you tell the difference?
Of course, I said I am able to distinguish the two sounds, but not to pronounce each of them. Hearing the difference and being able to reproduce the sounds are two different things.
Thank you Jarec, I've tried to say ”cap” whith my mouth wide open, and it works better. :)
Hythloday, what do you mean by 'centralised' and 'front'? Are you speaking about which part of the mouth the sounds come from?
If you familiarise yourself with the vowel quadrilateral, you will know what I mean.