Lesson 3 Initial Consonants : d, t, n, l, g, k, h, j, q, x

d (+e)

Unvoiced plosive. The articulators involved in producing this sound are the tongue tip and the upper gum. First, block the air by pressing the tip of the tongue against the upper gum; then release the air suddenly to make an unvoiced unaspirated sound. This sound is similar to the first sound of dust, but “d” in Chinese is an unvoiced sound.

t (+e)

Unvoiced plosive. Similar to the Chinese “d”. However, “d” is an unvoiced unaspirated sound while “t”, you should make efforts to let air out with a strong pop. This sound is similar to the first sound of tide. Pay attention that the “t” in Chinese is aspirated.

n (+e)

Nasal. The major articulators involved are the tip of tongue and the upper gum. The tip of the tongue presses against the upper gum to completely block the air stream from the oral cavity and let the air out from the nose with vibrating vocal cords. Same as the first sound in nation.

l (+e)

Lateral. Similar to the Chinese “n”, except the air comes out from the two sides of the tongue instead of from the nose. The tip of the tongue presses against the upper gum and the soft palate raises. Thus, the air stream is not totally blocked in the oral cavity. Same as the first sound in learn.

g (e)

Unvoiced plosive. The articulators involved in producing this sound are the root of the tongue and the soft palate. First, raise the root of the tongue and let it touch the soft palate; then stop the air stream, lower your tongue quickly and let the air out. Similar to the first sound in gill, except the Chinese “g” is an unvoiced sound.

k (+e)

This is also an unvoiced plosive. The manner of producing this sound is the same as the Chinese “g” except this is an aspirated sound. Similar to the first sound in key except Chinese “k” is a more explosive sound.

h (+e)

Unvoiced fricative. Let the air out through the narrow channel which is formed by holding the root of your tongue slightly apart from the rising soft palate. Similar to the first sound of heart, except the place of articulation for the Chinese “h” is more forward than that of the “h” in heart.

j (+i)

Unvoiced affricate. The articulators involved in producing this sound are the front part of the tongue and the front part of the hard palate. First, raise the front part of the tongue to touch the hard palate; then, let the tip of your tongue touch the back of the lower teeth and produce this sound by letting the air squeeze out between the surface of the tongue and the hard palate. Similar to the first sound of jeep. However, the tongue position for the Chinese “j” is higher and the tongue is flatter than that of the first sound in jeep. In addition, the Chinese “j” is an unvoiced sound while “j” in jeep is a voiced sound.

q (+i)

Unvoiced affricate. The manner and place of articulation are the same as in pronouncing the Chinese “j”. However, “q” is an aspirated sound. No equivalent in English.

x (+i)

Unvoiced fricative. The place of articulation involved in producing this sound is the same as those in producing “j” and “q”. However, for “j” and “q”, the air stream initially is blocked and then forced out, while pronouncing “x”, the air stream is not blocked during the whole pronunciation process. No equivalent in English.

Tongue Twister

A Goose And a Rabbit 鹅(é)和(hé)兔(tù)

A goose is in the river, 河(hé)里(li)的(de)鹅(é)，

Neither thirsty nor hungry, 不(bù)渴(kě)不(bú)饿(è)，

Aha…aha…aha. 乐(lè)呵(hē)呵(hē)。

A rabbit is in the field. 地(dì)里(li)的(de)兔(tù)，

Nibbling a big calabash, 嗑(kē)大(dà)葫(hú)芦(lú)，

Spitting no skin. 不(bù)吐(tǔ)皮(pí)。

#Pinyin