Jun 26, 2024
RP difficult words
Sure! Here's a list of 40 English words that are commonly pronounced differently than their spelling might suggest:
1. Aisle
2. Bury
3. Chaos
4. Choir
5. Colonel
6. Debris
7. Debt
8. Epitome
9. February
10. Gauge
11. Gnome
12. Height
13. Heir
14. Island
15. Knowledge
16. Library
17. Mischievous
18. Often
19. Plague
20. Pterodactyl
21. Quay
22. Rendezvous
23. Subtle
24. Sword
25. Through
26. Wednesday
27. Worcester
28. Aesthetic
29. Worcestershire
30. Cache
31. Chaos
32. Cache
33. Cachet
34. Clique
35. Crème
36. Coup
37. Debut
38. En route
39. Façade
40. Garçon
Remember, English pronunciation can be tricky and varied, so it's always helpful to listen to native speakers or consult dictionaries for guidance.
Here are three paragraphs filled with words that can be challenging to pronounce in a British English Received Pronunciation (RP) accent. Practice reading them aloud while focusing on the specific vowel and consonant sounds that are characteristic of RP.
Paragraph 1:
The Worcestershire sauce has a tangy, piquant flavor that pairs well with roasted beef, especially when accompanied by crispy, roasted potatoes. However, be careful not to overindulge, lest you exacerbate any underlying health issues or develop a penchant for overly salty foods. Remember, a delicate balance is key when preparing a delectable meal.
Paragraph 2:
During my leisurely sojourn through the picturesque village, I stumbled upon a charming library, where I unearthed a treasure trove of literary gems. Amid the labyrinthine aisles, I discovered the oeuvre of a renowned polyglot, who, despite his cacophonous surname, proved to be a virtuoso of language acquisition and cultural assimilation.
Paragraph 3:
In the height of the ensuing fracas, the heir to the illustrious lineage of the estate managed to deftly navigate the chaotic scene with an admirable level of aplomb. His debonair demeanor and keen intuition enabled him to emerge unscathed, revealing an innate resilience and a stoic resolve in the face of adversity.
Here are some common diphthongs in British English (Received Pronunciation) that you can practice:
1. /aɪ/ as in "my," "tie," "height," "aisle"
2. /ɔɪ/ as in "boy," "toy," "voice," "noise"
3. /eɪ/ as in "play," "say," "made," "same"
4. /aʊ/ as in "cow," "mouth," "round," "sound"
5. /əʊ/ as in "boat," "coat," "soap," "grow"
6. /ɪə/ as in "ear," "fear," "clear," "mere"
7. /eə/ as in "air," "care," "fair," "stair"
8. /ʊə/ as in "sure," "poor," "cure," "moor"
To practice these diphthongs:
1. Start by pronouncing the first vowel sound, and gradually shift to the second vowel sound while maintaining a smooth transition between the two.
2. Practice minimal pairs (words that differ only by one sound) to improve your ability to distinguish between diphthongs.
3. Record yourself speaking and listen to your pronunciation, paying attention to the accuracy of your diphthong sounds.
Here's a passage you can use to practice the RP British English accent:
"Upon departing the bustling city, one may embark on a leisurely jaunt through the idyllic countryside, marvelling at the verdant hills and dales that stretch as far as the eye can see. The quaint hamlets that dot the landscape, replete with charming cottages and cobblestone streets, offer respite from the frenetic pace of urban life. Amid this pastoral serenity, one may partake in a languorous picnic by a babbling brook, or perhaps a gentle stroll along a winding country lane. As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a warm glow upon the fields, one can scarcely imagine a more tranquil scene, a welcome balm for the weary soul."
Remember to practice slowly and deliberately, focusing on vowel length, diphthongs, and intonation patterns characteristic of RP. It may also be helpful to listen to recordings of native RP speakers to familiarize yourself with the rhythm and intonation patterns of the accent.
Great, here are some challenging tongue twisters and sentences to practice your elocution:
1. "A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk."
2. "Six thick thistle sticks."
3. "The seething sea ceaseth and thus the seething sea sufficeth us."
4. "The flamboyant flautist played flawlessly for the flirtatious philanthropist."
5. "The witch watched the watchman watching the watchmaker watch the watch."
6. "She sells seashells by the seashore, the shells she sells are surely seashells."
7. "I slit a sheet, a sheet I slit. Upon the slitted sheet I sit."
8. "How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?"
Remember to practice slowly and deliberately, focusing on the specific sounds and rhythms of British English.
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English
Beginner