Pratique du Shadowing: Vowel Sound / æ / as in "cat" - American English Pronunciation - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo

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Hello there!
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This is the Sounds American channel.
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In this video, we're going to talk about the American vowel sound , as in the word .
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You can also hear this sound in words like .
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We'll be using a special phonetic symbol, for this sound.
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The is specific to English, as a majority of languages don't have this sound.
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That's the reason why many people distort the or replace it with other vowels.
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Let's learn how to pronounce this sound the right American way.
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Okay, to pronounce the sound, You should focus on the correct position of your tongue and jaw.
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Open your mouth as wide as possible.
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Slightly spread your lips and tense them.
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Tense your tongue, flatten it, and push it forward.
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Your tongue should be positioned very low in your mouth.
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The tip of your tongue should be touching the back of your bottom front teeth.
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Remember, the A is a very open vowel sound, so your jaw should be very low and your tongue should be very flat.
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Now, let's try saying it.
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A-A-A-A- Now, let's practice this sound in some words.
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You'll see a word on the screen and hear its pronunciation.
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Like this.
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You'll have a few seconds to pronounce the word, if you want to.
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Let's begin.
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Add Alps Am
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An And Angle ankle
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and ankle ant apple as ash
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ask Asks. At.
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Babble.
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Back.
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Backed.
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Backpack.
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backs bad badge bag
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band bang bank Bass.
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Bank Bass Bat
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Batch You're done!
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Congratulations!
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By the way, the A is almost always written as the letter A.
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And more on the spelling.
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The letter A stands for the A sound, as in the word cat, in 97% of cases.
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The remaining 3% are split between combination of letters AL, as in the word half,
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and AU, as in the word laugh.
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Hope you find it useful.
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Stay tuned on our Sounds American channel.
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A fat black cat in a hat had a nap.
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Thank you.

Context & Background

In American English pronunciation, mastering vowel sounds is crucial for clear communication. One such sound is the /æ/ sound, as heard in the word "cat." This particular vowel sound is not commonly found in many other languages, which can lead to difficulties for non-native speakers. The speaker in the video aims to help learners understand and correctly articulate this unique sound, encouraging them to practice with the right techniques for mouth and tongue positioning. Proper pronunciation is essential not just for clarity, but also for confidence in speaking.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “How are you?” - A casual greeting that sets the tone for conversation.
  • “I have a cat.” - A statement showcasing the /æ/ sound in a familiar context.
  • “Can I have that?” - A useful question for requesting something.
  • “Let’s laugh together!” - A fun phrase that emphasizes the connection through shared emotions.
  • “I live in a half house.” - A descriptive statement that incorporates the /æ/ sound effectively.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively tackle the pronunciation of the /æ/ sound, follow this shadowing guide that integrates practical techniques for improving English pronunciation. Shadowing is a powerful method where learners imitate native speakers, allowing them to build a more natural rhythm and accent.

  1. Listen closely: Start by repeatedly listening to the video's pronunciation of the /æ/ sound and related words. Pay attention to how the speaker shapes their mouth and positions their tongue.
  2. Mirror the speaker: Open your mouth wide as the speaker does and slightly spread your lips. Form a mental image of the pronunciation process to enhance your muscular memory.
  3. Focus on tongue position: Place the tip of your tongue against your bottom front teeth, flattening it while keeping it low in your mouth. Remember, your jaw should lower significantly.
  4. Practice with repetition: Use the practice prompts from the video. Repeat the /æ/ sound several times. Gradual repetition will help you internalize this pronunciation.
  5. Record and compare: Use your device to record your practice. Compare your pronunciation to that of the speaker to identify areas for improvement.

By integrating these steps into your routine on your shadowing site, you can effectively enhance your shadow speech skills. Regular practice will allow you to confidently articulate the /æ/ sound and significantly improve your English speaking abilities.

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.