Learning English pronunciation can be tricky, especially when it comes to vowels. If your first language is Spanish, you might have noticed that the vowel sounds in English are different and can even change depending on the word. In this article, I’ll explain the english vowel pronunciation and compare them to Spanish vowels to help you understand the differences and practice effectively.
The Five English Vowels and Their 12 Sounds In English, there are five vowels : A, E, I, O, U. However, these five letters create many different sounds. English is not like Spanish, where each vowel usually has one fixed sound. Instead, English vowels can change depending on the word or even the accent. Let’s look at each one.
A: Short /æ/ and Long /eɪ/ The English letter “A” can be pronounced in different ways, but the two most common are the short sound /æ/ and the long sound /eɪ/:
Short /æ/: This is the sound in words like cat or apple. It’s pronounced with the mouth open and relaxed. Long /eɪ/: This is the sound in words like name or cake. It’s more like saying the letter A itself, but stretched. Comparison with Spanish In Spanish, the letter A is always pronounced the same way, like in amigo or casa. The English /æ/ sound can feel strange because it is shorter and more open. Practice by exaggerating the sound: c-a-t.
Tips and resources
Pronunciación en inglés: practica con las palabras más difíciles de pronunciar en noviembre y nuestra guía de símbolos fonéticos en inglés
Descubre nuevo vocabulario en inglés con estas palabras que se dicen mucho en noviembre y pueden ser complicadas de pronunciar. Con nuestra tabla de símbolos fonéticos en inglés reconocerás el sonido.
E: Short /e/ and Long /iː/ The English letter “E” has two common sounds:
Short /e/: Found in words like bed or red. It sounds similar to the Spanish letter E in mesa but shorter. Long /iː/: Found in words like he or see. This sound is higher and longer than the Spanish “I.” Comparison with Spanish Spanish speakers might confuse the short /e/ sound in English with the Spanish E. The long /iː/ sound doesn’t exist in Spanish, so you’ll need practice to make it longer and clearer. A tip is to hold the sound for a few seconds: s-e-e.
I: Short /ɪ/ and Long /aɪ/ The English I can also change:
Short /ɪ/: Found in words like sit or fish. It’s a relaxed, quick sound. Long /aɪ/: Found in words like bike or like. It’s pronounced as two parts, similar to the Spanish diphthong ai in aire. Comparison with Spanish The short /ɪ/ sound is challenging for Spanish speakers because it doesn’t exist in Spanish. It’s closer to saying “I” quickly and softly. Practice the difference between sit and seat—two words with very different vowel sounds!
O: Short /ɒ/ and Long /oʊ/ The letter “O” in English has several sounds, but let’s focus on the two main ones:
Short /ɒ/: Found in words like hot or not. It’s a soft sound with the mouth slightly open. Long /oʊ/: Found in words like go or no. It starts as an “O” sound and ends slightly like a “U.” Comparison with Spanish In Spanish, the “O” sound is consistent, like in 'ojo'. The long /oʊ/ sound in English might seem strange because it changes as you say it. Practice by dragging out the o in no: n-o-u.
U: Short /ʌ/, Long /juː/, and /uː/ The English “U” has three common sounds:
Short /ʌ/: Found in words like cup or luck. This sound doesn’t exist in Spanish and is tricky—it’s like a relaxed “A.” Long /juː/: Found in words like use or cute. It begins with a “Y” sound and ends with “U.” /uː/: Found in words like blue or food. It’s a long “oo” sound. Comparison with Spanish The short /ʌ/ sound is the hardest for Spanish speakers because it’s completely different from the Spanish “U.” For the long /juː/ and /uː/ sounds, remember to make them strong and clear.
Dipthongs in English For Spanish speakers learning English, understanding diphthongs can be challenging. A diphthong occurs when two vowel sounds blend together within the same syllable, such as in words like time (/aɪ/) or out (/aʊ/). Unlike Spanish, where vowel sounds are more consistent, English diphthongs often glide from one vowel to another, making them feel less familiar. To master these sounds, focus on listening carefully to native speakers and practising the smooth transition between vowels, ensuring that each sound remains clear and natural. This will greatly improve your pronunciation and fluency
Tips for Practicing English Vowels Listen and Repeat: Watch videos or listen to podcasts in which native English speakers pronounce words. Repeat after them.
Use a Mirror: Watch your mouth when you say vowel sounds. English vowels often require wider or rounder movements than Spanish vowels.
Practice Minimal Pairs: These are word pairs with only one vowel sound difference, like cat vs. cut or sit vs. seat. Practicing these helps train your ear and mouth.
Record Yourself: Use your phone to record your pronunciation. Compare it to native speakers and adjust as needed.
Be Patient: Vowel pronunciation takes time and practice, but don’t give up!
Learning English vowels might feel like a challenge, but with practice, you’ll start to hear and pronounce the differences. Remember, comparing English vowels to Spanish can help you understand what’s new and different. Keep practicing, and you’ll improve your pronunciation step by step!
