#422 - 40 English Words You’re Probably Pronouncing Wrong (and How to Fix Them)
RealLife English: Learn and Speak Confident, Natural English
Deep Dive
Why is English considered a non-phonetic language?
English is considered non-phonetic because words often don't sound the way they are spelled. For example, 'Wednesday' is pronounced 'Wends-day' rather than 'Wed-ness Day' as it appears.
What is a common mispronunciation of the word 'business'?
A common mispronunciation of 'business' is 'busyness' or 'business,' but the correct pronunciation is 'biz-ness,' which is often shortened to 'biz' in expressions like 'showbiz.'
What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'chocolate' in English?
The correct pronunciation of 'chocolate' in English is 'choc-lit,' with only two syllables, despite its longer spelling.
Why do learners often mispronounce words like 'luxurious' and 'mischievous'?
Learners often mispronounce words like 'luxurious' and 'mischievous' because they rely on spelling and try to pronounce every syllable, leading to overcomplication. For example, 'luxurious' changes the 'sh' sound to 'zh,' and 'mischievous' is pronounced 'mis-chee-vus,' not 'mis-chee-vee-us.'
What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'vegetable'?
The correct pronunciation of 'vegetable' is 'vej-tuh-bul,' with three syllables, even though it appears to have four.
What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'salmon'?
The correct pronunciation of 'salmon' is 'sam-un,' with the 'L' being silent. It is often mispronounced as 'sal-mon' due to its spelling.
What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'jewelry'?
The correct pronunciation of 'jewelry' is 'joo-uhl-ree,' with the 'J' and 'L' sounds. In British English, it is spelled 'jewellery' but still pronounced the same way.
What is the difference between 'schedule' in American and British English?
In American English, 'schedule' is pronounced 'sked-jool,' while in British English, it is pronounced 'shed-yool.' However, 'sked-jool' is becoming more universal due to international influences.
What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'Worcestershire'?
The correct pronunciation of 'Worcestershire' is 'woos-ter-sheer,' often used in the context of Worcestershire sauce, a traditional condiment.
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