why can i not pronounce english correctly?

Answer 1

the english language is one of the toughest languages to get your tongue and brain around....
with words like
bough
thought
trough
enough
cough
all sounding different even though their spelling is similar and words like
bait & bate
weight & wait
grate & great
gait & gate
stationery & stationary
strait & straight
where they sound the same and are spelled differently to confuse it more and then throw in some more confusion with
bow (the front of a ship) which rhymes with bough ( a branch of a tree)
bow (a fancy knot) which rhymes with low
bow (to bend your body in to show courtesy) which also rhymes with low

then their are a whole bunch of words that are both a noun and a verb like:
craft
run
play
walk

learning and pronouncing english is a hard task even for those born to the language.

Answer 2

Because English is an amalgamation of primarily Latin and Greek roots with a dozen or so other languages thrown in for good measure, so there is very little continuity between letter sounds. Many of the phonics rules native English speakers learned in school are wrong more than 50% of the time.

Check out this sentence: The dove dove into the water.
Same word (dove), two different pronunciations (first has a short 'u' sound, second follows the rule of silent-e and has a long 'o' sound).

The more you listen to it, the more you'll develop an ear for the correct pronunciation. Watch English TV programs/movies, listen to English radio/music/books-on-tape. You'll never completely lose your native accent, but your English pronunciation will get better.

Answer 3

You may be having some mother-tongue interference if your first language is not English. You may want to try to spend as much time as possible speaking with native English speakers who sound the way you want to sound. It may help to tape them reading a page or 2 and then tape yourself. Both of you can then list to see which words or sounds you can improve upon.

Once you identify those, if you both stand in front of a mirror and then you and your friend take turns saying the word or phrase, you can try to mimic the shape of their mouth and where tongue meets teeth, etc.
Practice any sounds, letters or words that "hurt" or are not common or part of your first language. For and English person this might be agua (spanish), an, on, in (French), Ich, Zed (German)
Another thing to pay attention to is the speed at which you speak. Certain words don't sound natural to a native speaker if they are spoken too quickly or slowly. However, there's nothing wrong in having an "accent" just because you pronounce some words differently and it's always good to know multiple languages.
Unfortunately you weren't very specific with your question, but I've drawn from my own fun with pronouncing foreign words.
Hope that helps

Answer 4

If you are born into an English speaking family
it could be that you have a hearing problem
there are other problems that can cause lisps and stutters
I am sure you have heard the word dyslexia which is for people who see words backwards. there is both an aural and a vocal equivalent. its a myriad of minor brain disfunctionalities that some people get born with. I can't off hand remember their names but they exist.

so you might want to ask a doctor or a speech therapist.

Answer 5

So..
For a simple, step-by-step program that can help your child learn to read visit this site: http://readingprogram.toptips.org

Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child. It helps them develop a better understand of their surroundings, allows them to gather information from printed materials, and provides them with a wonderful source of entertainment when they read stories and rhymes. Children develop at different rates, and some children will develop reading skills quicker than other children; however, what's important is that as the parent, you are keenly aware of your child's maturity and reading level to provide them with appropriate books and activities to help them improve.

As parents, you are the most important teacher for your children.

Also Watch this video of a 2 year old child reading http://readingprogram.toptips.org

Answer 6

Maybe you are trying to learn English on Yahoo answers. Get a better tutor.




Seriously, try Shurley Grammar!

Answer 7

depends on if its your second language or not....sometimes an accent keeps you from pronuciateing english correctly, just liek a lot of englush speaking people can not pronunciate other languages properly.

Answer 8

You were'nt taught correctly - Practice

Answer 9

If English isn't your native language then it can be hard to say it. Don't worry... just keep practising!

Answer 10

Cause God played a funny joke on you.


haha....look at the retard everybody!