pronunciation
11 posts
- Linking words in Spanish: why you cannot hear where words endSpanish speakers join words at vowels, a silent h and a final consonant. Learn how sinalefa works, with examples, so you can hear the separate words again.
- How to roll your r in Spanish: the tap, the trill, and drills that get you thereThe difference between the Spanish tap and trill, where each one goes, step-by-step drills for the rolled r, minimal pairs like pero and perro, what to say while you cannot trill yet, and how the r varies in Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Argentina.
- The Spanish alphabet: the letters, their names, their sounds, and spelling your name aloudThe 27 letters of the Spanish alphabet with their names and how to say each sound, ñ, ll, rr and ch, the differences between Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Argentina, and how to spell your name and email address out loud.
- Spanish pronunciation: where to startBegin with vowels, word stress and a few consonant contrasts. Spelling helps, but listening and feedback show how the sounds work in speech.
- Why your Spanish teacher is easier to understand than an unfamiliar speakerA familiar voice, shared topics and help from the speaker all affect comprehension. Use that support while gradually practising with other voices.
- Why spoken Spanish can be hard to followWork out whether unfamiliar vocabulary, connected speech, grammar or the listening situation is making Spanish difficult to understand.
- Why Caribbean Spanish can sound fast to a learnerUnfamiliar consonant patterns can make Caribbean Spanish difficult to follow. Learn what to listen for and how to use a transcript to understand a passage.
- Mexican Spanish is not one accentA voice from Mexico City will not prepare you for every speaker in Mexico. Hear regional examples and learn how to approach unfamiliar pronunciation and vocabulary.
- Understanding Rioplatense Spanish: sounds, vos and everyday wordsGet familiar with Spanish from the Río de la Plata: the sounds of ll and y, common vos forms and regional vocabulary, with recordings to help you listen.
- Is Colombian Spanish easier to understand?A Colombian voice may be a useful listening model, but Colombia has many varieties of Spanish. Learn what makes a particular recording easier to follow.
- What to say when someone speaks Spanish too fastSpanish phrases for asking someone to slow down, repeat a detail or explain a word, with ways to check that you understood.