Clear English - Rhythm - Page 1
A. Each language has its own rules for rhythm. Clear English speech depends on the way varying lengths of syllables produce a characteristic rhythm. You will be much easier to understand if you use a proper English rhythm.
Syllable rhythm rules: 1.
Clear vowels are full (long).
Unclear vowels are reduced (short).
._____
above 		._____
along 		._____
around
2 Vowels in succession are usually of different length.
a. . ____ .
mama 		. ____ .
banana 		. ____ .
Alaska 		. _______ .
Nebraska
b. . _____ .
a basket 		  .   ___   .
the record
c. __   .  ___
absolute 		_____     .     ___
Have some fruit. 		.   ____ .  .
impossible 		   .   __  .   .
It's possible.
3 When two or more full vowels are spoken in succession, length is added to each vowel. This makes the speech sound emphatic (strong).
a. ____ ___
passport 		____  __
mailbox 		___  __
airport 		____   __
maintain
⇦ Back to Page 3    Return to Rhythm Choices    On to Page 2 ⇨

Return to Clear English Choices