Listening: Understanding Natural Connected Speech B2 - Lesson 1: Understanding Features of Fluent Speech (assimilation, elision, intrusion)

B2 Natural Connected Speech: Features of Fluent Speech

Welcome to B2 Natural Speech! In this lesson, we will explore the 'secret rules' that make English sound fast and fluent. We will learn about three key features of fluent speech¹: assimilation, elision, and intrusion.

1. Assimilation (Sounds Changing)

Assimilation² is when a sound changes to become more like the next sound. This makes a phrase easier and faster to say. It often happens with the sounds /t/, /d/, and /n/ at the end of a word.

Example: "ten boys"

The /n/ sound in "ten" is made with the tongue. The next sound, /b/ in "boys," is made with the lips. To make it easier, the /n/ sound often changes to an /m/ sound, which is also made with the lips.

It sounds like: "tem boys"

Example: "good girl"

The /d/ in "good" changes to a /g/ sound to match the /g/ in "girl."

It sounds like: "goog girl"

2. Elision (Sounds Disappearing)

Elision³ is when a sound is omitted or disappears, usually to avoid a complex consonant cluster. The /t/ and /d/ sounds are often elided.

Example: "next door"

The /t/ sound in "next" is between two other consonants (/ks/ and /d/). It's difficult to say, so it often disappears.

It sounds like: "nex' door"

Example: "rock and roll"

The /d/ in "and" is often elided, especially when between two consonants.

It sounds like: "rock 'n' roll"

3. Intrusion (Sounds Added)

Intrusion⁴ is when a small, extra sound is added between two words to link them smoothly. This usually happens between two vowel sounds.

Example: "go on"

To connect the /oʊ/ vowel in "go" and the /ɒ/ vowel in "on," speakers naturally add a small /w/ sound.

It sounds like: "go-w-on"

Example: "I agree"

To connect the /aɪ/ vowel in "I" and the /ə/ vowel in "agree," speakers naturally add a small /j/ (y) sound.

It sounds like: "I-y-agree"

Quiz: Identify the Feature

Listen to the natural speed phrase. Which feature of connected speech do you hear?

1. Audio 1: (Listen to "good boy")

   Which feature is it? (a) Assimilation, (b) Elision, (c) Intrusion

2. Audio 2: (Listen to "must go")

   Which feature is it? (a) Assimilation, (b) Elision, (c) Intrusion

3. Audio 3: (Listen to "do it")

   Which feature is it? (a) Assimilation, (b) Elision, (c) Intrusion

Click to Show Answers

Answers: 1-a (Assimilation: the /d/ in 'good' changes to /b/). 2-b (Elision: the /t/ in 'must' disappears). 3-c (Intrusion: a /w/ sound is added between 'do' and 'it').

Homework Task

1. Practice Saying the Features: Say these phrases out loud. Focus on making the connected speech sound natural.

• Assimilation: "that person" (sounds like "thap person")
• Elision: "I don't know" (sounds like "I dunno")
• Intrusion: "two apples" (sounds like "two-w-apples")

2. Listen for the Features: Find a fast-paced English movie scene on YouTube. Listen carefully. Can you hear a time when a 't' or 'd' disappears (elision)? It happens all the time!

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Features of Fluent Speech (phrase) - Khmer: លក្ខណៈនៃការនិយាយស្ទាត់ជំនាញ - The small changes to sounds that native speakers naturally make to talk smoothly and quickly. ↩
2. Assimilation (noun) - Khmer: សហលក្ខណៈ - When a speech sound changes to become more like a neighboring sound for ease of pronunciation. ↩
3. Elision (noun) - Khmer: ការលុបសំឡេង - The omission or disappearance of a sound or syllable in speech. ↩
4. Intrusion (noun) - Khmer: ការបន្ថែមសំឡេង - The insertion of an extra sound between words to make them flow together, typically between two vowels. ↩