English Pronunciation part 2

The /z/ sound uses the same mouth position as the /s/ sound, but the /z/ sound is voiced whereas the /s/ sound is unvoiced. This means that the passage of air through your mouth combines with the vibration of your vocal cords to create the sound. To position your mouth, place the tip of your tongue behind your teeth and very close to the roof of your mouth but not touching it. The sides of your tongue should rise to meet the roof on your mouth, leaving a passageway for air through the middle of your tongue. Keep your teeth closed, but part your lips slightly and pull back the corners, as though beginning to smile. When air and vocal vibrations pass through your mouth and teeth, you have the /z/ sound!

Zizzi’s zippy zipper zips. Zithers slither slowly south. Zachary’s zenith zones on the zodiac and zen.