Hello and welcome to Day 5.
I know that listening to fast speech can be a challenge,
but I'm here to remind you --
Don't say, "I can't." Only say, "I can."
English with Jennifer
Americans often use a glottal stop with a final T,
as I did with the words "don't" and "can't."
A glottal stop is made when we cut off the sound in our throat.
If you can say "uh-oh" and "uh-uh,"
you can make a glottal stop.
It's more important to understand it than make it.
There is a difference -- and I want you to hear it --
the difference between a true T and the glottal stop.
Don't
Can't
So when will you hear a glottal stop?
Well, when T is at the end of a sentence or phrase, as in...
When T comes before a pause, as in...
A final T before another consonant can happen
at the end of a syllable or the end of a word.
For example, people might complain about having a potbelly.
Someone might ask you, "Won't you join me?"
Let me say those examples again with slow, careful speech.
I'll use a true T, so you can compare.
Potbelly.
Won't you join me?
But that doesn't sound very natural, does it?
Let me say them a final time with a glottal stop.
Potbelly.
Won't you join me?
We'll also use a glottal stop
with a T before an unstressed N sound.
Here are three examples:
Let me say them slowly with a true T, so you can compare.
But in everyday speech, you'll hear...
Listen closely.
I'll say a sentence,
and you try to understand.
That's all for now.
Thanks for watching and happy studies!