Rules of English Word Pronunciation Not Taught in School

One of the key points of my English learning method introduced last time was “reading aloud,” but as I read various texts, I noticed that there are unique rules for the pronunciation of English words.

For example, like CAT and CAKE, the pronunciation changes depending on the arrangement of letters.
People's names are the same.
If you write the name “Hajime-kun” in English, it becomes “MR. HAJIME,” but if you read this in normal English, it doesn't become “MR. Hajime,” but rather “MR. Hajaime,” sounding like an Arab name.
This is because there are certain rules for the pronunciation of English words.

Today, let's look at what kind of rules there are. Please also take a look at my previous article, “My English Learning Method That You Can Master Without Effort.”

As you all know, pronunciation consists of vowels and consonants. The combination of these changes the pronunciation completely.

The CAT mentioned earlier is consonant + vowel + consonant. In this way, when a single vowel is in front of a consonant or sandwiched between single consonants, it becomes a short pronunciation. In this case, it is a short “a.” Similar examples are BED, SIT, HOT, and CUP.

Now, as for CAKE, it is consonant + vowel + consonant + vowel. In this way, when a consonant is sandwiched by vowels, it often becomes a long “ei” pronunciation. FACE is the same. If this is an I, it becomes TIME.

There is another rule for this TIME. When the last letter of a word is “E,” the vowel before it is pronounced long. For example, HOP is hop, but when it becomes HOPE, it changes to hope.

Also, when two vowels are consecutive, the first vowel is often lengthened. For example, like TEAM. There are various other combinations like this.

• AI and AY become “ei.” RAIN and DAY are examples.

• OI and OY become “oi.” COIN and BOY are examples.

• OU and OW become “au.” HOUSE and COW are examples.

• EA and EE become “ee.” MEAT and SEE are examples.

• OA and OE become “ou.” BOAT and TOE are examples.

Instead of vowels, sometimes consonants are consecutive. SH is one such example. There are various others as well.

• SH becomes “sh.” SHIP and WISH are examples.

• PH becomes “f,” and PHONE is an example.

• TH becomes “th,” and THINK and THIS are examples.

• CH becomes “ch,” and CHAIR is an example.

• NG becomes "ng," as in "sing."

There are also silent consonants. I wish they would just get rid of them. This applies to words like "know," "write," "comb," and "night." It's confusing, isn't it?

Furthermore, "C" is divided into the "k" sound and the "s" sound, and "G" has both the "g" sound and the "j" sound.When "C" is followed by "E," "I," or "Y," it becomes an "s" sound, and "G" becomes a "j" sound.Examples include "cent" and "giant."

To continue a bit further, there are also rules for past tense and past participle forms. The pronunciation of the "ED" at the end of a word changes depending on the letter immediately preceding it.

• When it follows a D or T, it is pronounced "id", for example, "wanted."

• After a voiced consonant (where the vocal cords vibrate), it is "d", as in "played."

• After a voiceless consonant (where the vocal cords do not vibrate), it is "t", as in "asked."

The same thing happens with the "S" at the end of words.

• An "S" following a voiced consonant is pronounced as "Z". For example, "dogs."

• If it follows a voiceless consonant, it becomes an "S", as in "cats."

• When it follows "S," "Z," "SH," "CH," or "X," it becomes "iz", which applies to words like "wishes."

How to place stress also has certain rules.

Even for the same word, if it is a noun, it is on the first syllable, as in "record," and when this becomes a verb, it shifts to the second syllable, making it "record."

There seem to be many more.
Knowing these pronunciation rules makes it easier to predict the pronunciation of words you see for the first time, making English learning easier.
When reading aloud, as in my learning method, it reduces the number of times you have to stop because you don't know the pronunciation.
However, there are many exceptions to this.
As for how to memorize them, it is best to first grasp the basic rules and then memorize the exceptions one by one as they come up.

Please also take a look at the article on efficient ways to memorize English words.

This concludes my introduction to English trivia that isn't taught in school.

Thank you for reading today as well.
I would be happy if you could like and follow.
I look forward to your continued support.

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