One of the greatest challanges for me as a non-native English speaker has been distinguishing between these two sounds both when listening and speaking. I know there is a difference in length (which is not always easy to notice in normal-speed conversation), and as I understand there is a difference in quality - the two vowels actually sound different, apart from the length. Any tips please? And don't tell me it's always possible to understand from context, because it isn't (e.g. That sheep/ship is moving too fast).
2006-12-16 14:59:06 · 7 answers · asked by Alexander T 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The difference is NOT length. The difference is NOT in the lips. The difference is in the root of the tongue. The sound in 'ship' is a so-called lax vowel. The sound in 'sheep' is a so-called tense vowel. The position of the highest part of the tongue is in the front of the mouth and very close to the palate. To make the lax vowel, move the root of your tongue towards the back of the throat slightly. This will pull the tongue back ever so slightly and make the different sound of 'ship'. It is NOT a question of length or lips. Ignore these two issues. It is completely a question of how close to the palate is the highest part of the tongue, and the difference is very slight. It is the movement of the root of the tongue that makes the difference in these two vowels.
You can also use this technique to make the difference in the vowels of 'bet' and 'bait', and 'put' and 'boot'.
2006-12-16 15:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by Taivo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The difference is analogous to the difference between the Dutch a and aa. It's "length," like you said. English speakers have a hard time telling the difference between the "short" European "a" (which sounds something like a short American "u") and the "long" one, but native speakers can easily tell the difference. I once read that the ability to distinguish between very close sounds is developed at a very young age, and if you don't hear those sounds spoken to you when you are very young, you will have a very difficult time trying to learn them. One very hard thing about English is that it's only semi-phonetic (you already knew that). Often, letters and vowels have peculiar sounds depending on the word. It's almost so bad that we might as well omit short vowels in writing, like they do in Semitic languages.
Actually, I think most of the time it is easy to tell from context, as in the example you gave.
2006-12-16 15:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by rogue386 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first suggestion I have for you is to practice in front of a mirror while saying these words. You'll notice that your lips are formed differently when making the short 'i' and long 'ee' sounds. Not only will that help you differentiate the sounds while speaking (by feeling how your lips move), but to recognize the same lip movements in others who are speaking to you.
The other suggestion is that, if someone is speaking a little too fast for you to understand them properly, ask him to slow down a little bit.You don't have to explain why beyond saying that you're having a little trouble following what he's saying. Aside from helping you, this lets the other person know that you are truly interested in what he has to say. A courteous person will have no trouble accommodating you in this, though you may have to remind him from time to time. (Heck, I do it with my son all the time, and we're both native English speakers!) Anyone who won't oblige you isn't worth your time, so avoid such people as much as possible until you feel more comfortable.
Good luck!!
2006-12-16 15:11:51 · answer #3 · answered by JelliclePat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The short vowel sound for "i" does not sound like the name for the letter "i". The two e's sound is the same as the name of the letter - "e". If you can hear the sound of the short "i" in words like "is" and "it", you will be hearing the same sound in the words, "ship" and "slip". If you can hear the sound of the long "e" in words like Ego and Evolve, you will be hearing the same sound in the words, "sheep" and "sleep".
Sure hope that didn't confuse you more! Good luck.
2006-12-16 15:28:17 · answer #4 · answered by B K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crap: Clap Girl: Gill Five: File Kim: Tim Maim: Main Mace: Lace Kiss: Kits Face: Fact Bath: Bach
2016-05-23 01:13:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
uhh ohh is that the only language that can rock my bed? No, so don't worry honey
2006-12-16 15:09:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cheap or sheep? blip or bleep?
Doesn't matter - no one listens to you anyway!
2006-12-16 15:02:17 · answer #7 · answered by mchicha777 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋