Learn to use the International Phonetic Alphabet to help you pronounce other languages. In this third lesson I discuss the basic parts of syllables and the kinds of syllables found in different languages.
Slashes // enclose IPA transcriptions in this video. (We'll learn about brackets [] next time.) Slashes signal that the text inside represents transcribed pronunciation instead of "regular" written language.
V stands for any vowel and C for consonants in a syllable: V (vowel), CV (consonant-vowel), CCVC, etc.
Syllables have a nucleus (usually V), an onset before the nucleus (C, CC, etc.) and a coda after the nucleus (C, CC, etc.).
A low dot (period) can be used to separate syllables in IPA: /sɪ.lə.bəlz/ 'syllables'.
Diphthongs are formed when multiple vowels share the nucleus: /hait/ 'height'.
A double mark follows a long vowel: /iːz/ 'ease'.
Syllabic consonants (including /l/, /r/, /m/, /n/) sit at the nucleus of a syllable instead of a vowel: /sɪ.lə.blz/ 'syllables'. They're often written with a small line below.
Visit the IPA lesson page for all videos, text and exercises in this series:
http://www.nativlang.com/linguistics/ipa-pronunciation-lessons.php
These lessons are available as a polished workbook with more info & exercises:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453837086/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creati...
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-ipa-for-language-learning/9262961
Music: Kevin MacLeod
