Pratique du Shadowing: Connected Reading in Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now" - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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Hey what's up, it's Alex.
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Today I've got a new shirt
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and I'm going to talk to you about the connected reading in Dua Lipa's song Don't Start Now.
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Alright, that's perfect.
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Let's look at the first sentence.
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Don't show up becomes don't show up.
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So the T in don't disappears.
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And show up, that W connects with the U in up.
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The next line is don't come out.
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This is interesting because whenever I say out and I don't say the T, it turns into a glottal stop.
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Out.
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Out.
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Don't come out.
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But when she says it, because she's singing, that glottal stop disappears as well.
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And it's just don't come out.
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Don't come out.
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Now that's not exactly how people talk in speech, but it shows you how these syllables connect.
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Don't come out.
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That sound connects with the next vowel.
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Don't come out.
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The next line is, don't start caring about me now.
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And the way she breaks it up is like this.
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Don't start caring about me now.
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First, those t's are gone.
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Those t's disappear.
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Don't start caring.
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Now we're linking that n in caring.
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It's actually a ng sound, but she's turned it into a n.
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We're linking that nuh sound with the uh in about.
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Karen, bow me now.
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Walk away.
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Again, we've got an uh sound at the beginning of away.
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That sound connects with the previous consonant.
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W-a-k-a-way.
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You know how.
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Now, you know how doesn't really have anything to connect.
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It wouldn't be you-n-o-how.
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We wouldn't connect that n-a to a different syllable.
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And the last line you've already learned.
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Don't start caring about me now.
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Now, what's interesting is that ert at the end of start pretty much disappears.
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Don't start Karen.
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Don't start Karen.
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And that's considered more of a stylistic song choice instead of something that represents the way people actually talk.
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Certainly when I speak quickly, I always leave that R in there.
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Don't start Karen.
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Don't start Karen.
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Don't start Karen about me now.

Context & Background

In the video "Connected Reading in Dua Lipa's 'Don't Start Now'," Alex discusses the intricate phonetic details of the song, showcasing how words and sounds blend together in spoken English. This tutorial is particularly beneficial for English learners who want to improve English pronunciation by understanding the nuances of connected speech, an essential aspect of fluent conversation. By exploring real-life examples, learners can effectively shadow speak, allowing them to grasp the rhythm and flow of natural English communication.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Don't show up – Notice how the 'T' in 'don't' is often dropped in rapid speech.
  • Don't come out – The blending of sounds creates a smooth transition: 'come' and 'out' almost merge in casual conversation.
  • Don't start caring about me now – Observe how 'start' and 'caring' interact, making pronunciation easier when spoken quickly.
  • Walk away – Pay attention to how the sounds connect, revealing natural speech patterns.
  • You know how – This phrase demonstrates a clear yet non-connected tone that stands out in conversational contexts.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively learn English with YouTube videos like this one, follow this step-by-step shadowing guide to master connected speech:

  1. Watch carefully: Start by viewing the video without sound. Observe the speaker’s mouth movements and the connection between words.
  2. Listen actively: Play the video again, this time focusing on the audio. Listen for how Alex describes each phrase, noting the drops and merges in sounds.
  3. Repeat and imitate: Pause after each phrase to repeat it aloud. Use the shadowspeak technique by mimicking Alex's intonation and rhythm.
  4. Practice gradually: Break down longer sentences into smaller chunks. Then, combine those parts after practicing them individually.
  5. Record yourself: After practicing, record your voice to compare it with the original. This helps you recognize areas for improvement in your pronunciation and fluency.

By incorporating these techniques into your learning routine, you can progressively enhance your ability to speak English confidently and fluently, bringing you closer to mastering the art of connected speech.

Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?

Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.