Unit 11 Linking

What is liaison ? If we want to speak English fluently, we must try to avoid pronouncing each word as if it were isolated. We must try to link words together smoothly and naturally. In English one word is not separated from another by pausing or hesitating; the end of one word flows straight on to the beginning of the next, e.g. First of all, some of us.

1. Definition of liaison Liaison means the linking of sounds or words. In connected speech, English words belonging to the same sense group should be said in a united manner rather than pronounced separately as if they were isolated. Only in this way can the sequences of words (sounds )be said rapidly and smoothly.

2. Types of liaison: The main types of liaison are: 1) Consonant (except r )+vowel ( The final consonant of the preceding word is united to the initial vowel of the next word in the same sense group). e.g. give it up half an hour a place of interest sit in the open air pick up an orange

2) –r or –re + vowel (When a word ending with the letter “-r” or “-re” is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, a sound of /r/ is usually inserted in the pronunciation.) e.g. after all far and wide over and over again a country of their own a letter –opener However, there are special circumstances in which a final “r ” is silent even when the following word begins with a vowel. (1)When there is a /r/ in the same syllable, e.g. a roar of laughter, a rare animal, nearer and nearer. (2)When a pause is permissible between the two words (even if no pause is actually made.) e.g. He opened the door and walked in. 3) Vowel+ vowel (When a word ending in a vowel is followed by another word beginning with a vowel, a short and gentle /j/ is inserted after/i:/,/I/, /eI/, /aI/, and /CI/ ; or a /w/ after /u/,/u:/, /Eu/, and /au/. e.g. at the end hurry up try again row away How old are you ? do away with, to invite one to a party, my uncle

Linking Vowel to Vowel If our lips are round at the end of the first word, we insert a /  / sound: We write it like this:too oftenwho isso Ido all We say it like this:toowoftenwhowissowIdowall

If our lips are wide at the end of the first word, we insert a /  / sound: We write it like this:I amKay isthe endshe asked We say it like this:IyamKayyistheyendsheyasked

Linking Consonant to Vowel When a word ends in a consonant sound, we often move the consonant sound to the beginning of the next word if it starts with a vowel sound. For example, in the phrase "turn off" We write it like this:turn off We say it like this:tur noff

To link the final vowels /  :/ or /  / to a following by adding the /  / sound, for example: answer it answer rit