British English Sounds · Part 7 of 7
Nasals & Approximants
Complete the consonant system with nasal resonance, lateral airflow and smooth approximants.Vervollständige das Konsonantensystem mit nasaler Resonanz, seitlichem Luftstrom und fließenden Approximanten.
Listen, notice, position and practise.Hören, wahrnehmen, positionieren und üben.
Select a sound. Study the mouth position, spelling patterns and examples, then complete the quiz.
Wähle einen Laut. Studiere Mundposition, Schreibweisen und Beispiele und bearbeite anschließend das Quiz./m/
Bilabial nasalBilabialer Nasal
How to make it
Close both lips, voice the sound and let air escape through the nose.Schließe beide Lippen, erzeuge Stimmhaftigkeit und lasse die Luft durch die Nase entweichen.
Close both lips, voice the sound and let air escape through the nose.Schließe beide Lippen, erzeuge Stimmhaftigkeit und lasse die Luft durch die Nase entweichen.
Common spellings
m, mm
m, mm
Examples
meeting · team · communication
meeting · team · communication
Watch out
Keep the lips fully closed.
Keep the lips fully closed.
/n/
Alveolar nasalAlveolarer Nasal
How to make it
Place the tongue tip at the alveolar ridge and let voiced air pass through the nose.Lege die Zungenspitze an den Zahndamm und lasse stimmhafte Luft durch die Nase strömen.
Place the tongue tip at the alveolar ridge and let voiced air pass through the nose.Lege die Zungenspitze an den Zahndamm und lasse stimmhafte Luft durch die Nase strömen.
Common spellings
n, nn, kn
n, nn, kn
Examples
new · plan · connect
new · plan · connect
Watch out
Before /k/ or /g/, /n/ often changes naturally towards /ŋ/.
Before /k/ or /g/, /n/ often changes naturally towards /ŋ/.
/ŋ/
Velar nasalVelarer Nasal
How to make it
Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate and release voiced air through the nose.Hebe den hinteren Zungenrücken zum weichen Gaumen und lasse stimmhafte Luft durch die Nase strömen.
Raise the back of the tongue to the soft palate and release voiced air through the nose.Hebe den hinteren Zungenrücken zum weichen Gaumen und lasse stimmhafte Luft durch die Nase strömen.
Common spellings
ng, n
ng, n
Examples
working · English · banking
working · English · banking
Watch out
Do not automatically add /g/ after final /ŋ/.
Do not automatically add /g/ after final /ŋ/.
/l/
Lateral approximantLateraler Approximant
How to make it
Touch the alveolar ridge with the tongue tip and let air flow around the sides.Berühre mit der Zungenspitze den Zahndamm und lasse die Luft seitlich vorbeiströmen.
Touch the alveolar ridge with the tongue tip and let air flow around the sides.Berühre mit der Zungenspitze den Zahndamm und lasse die Luft seitlich vorbeiströmen.
Common spellings
l, ll
l, ll
Examples
leader · client · goal
leader · client · goal
Watch out
British English often uses a darker [ɫ] at the end of syllables.
British English often uses a darker [ɫ] at the end of syllables.
/r/
Postalveolar approximantPostalveolarer Approximant
How to make it
Raise the tongue towards the area behind the alveolar ridge without touching it.Hebe die Zunge in Richtung des Bereichs hinter dem Zahndamm, ohne ihn zu berühren.
Raise the tongue towards the area behind the alveolar ridge without touching it.Hebe die Zunge in Richtung des Bereichs hinter dem Zahndamm, ohne ihn zu berühren.
Common spellings
r, rr
r, rr
Examples
report · correct · around
report · correct · around
Watch out
In non-rhotic British English, /r/ is normally heard only before a vowel.
In non-rhotic British English, /r/ is normally heard only before a vowel.
/j/
Palatal approximantPalataler Approximant
How to make it
Raise the front of the tongue towards the hard palate and glide immediately into the vowel.Hebe den vorderen Zungenbereich zum harten Gaumen und gleite sofort in den Vokal.
Raise the front of the tongue towards the hard palate and glide immediately into the vowel.Hebe den vorderen Zungenbereich zum harten Gaumen und gleite sofort in den Vokal.
Common spellings
y, u, ew
y, u, ew
Examples
yes · new · computer
yes · new · computer
Watch out
British English often keeps /j/ in words such as new and tune.
British English often keeps /j/ in words such as new and tune.
/w/
Labial-velar approximantLabial-velarer Approximant
How to make it
Round the lips and raise the back of the tongue, then glide quickly into the vowel.Runde die Lippen, hebe den hinteren Zungenrücken und gleite schnell in den Vokal.
Round the lips and raise the back of the tongue, then glide quickly into the vowel.Runde die Lippen, hebe den hinteren Zungenrücken und gleite schnell in den Vokal.
Common spellings
w, wh
w, wh
Examples
work · one · away
work · one · away
Watch out
Keep /w/ distinct from /v/: wine–vine.
Keep /w/ distinct from /v/: wine–vine.
Nasals & Approximants QuizQuiz: Nasale und Approximanten
1. Which sound ends “working”?
/ŋ/ ✓
2. Which sound begins “value”?
/v/ ✓
3. Which sound begins “work”?
/w/ ✓
4. In non-rhotic British English, when is /r/ normally pronounced?
Before a vowel ✓
5. Which word normally contains /j/?
New ✓
Accent note: This sequence describes contemporary Standard British English. Natural regional, social and individual variation is normal.Hinweis zum Akzent: Diese Reihe beschreibt modernes britisches Standardenglisch. Natürliche regionale, soziale und individuelle Unterschiede sind normal.