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Speaking Clearly

Speaking Clearly

Date: Apr 26 2009

Topic: Pronunciation

Author: nad1a

Lesson


'When we speak, we need to divide speech up into small 'chunks' to help the listener understand messages. These chunks or thought groups are groups of words which go together to express an idea or thought. In English, we use pauses & low pitch to mark the end of thought groups.'
Source:  “Speaking Clearly” by Rogerson  & Gilbert

When speaking or reading, a sentence is supposed to be broken into shorter pieces, separated by pauses between them. It’s not natural to pause somewhere in the middle of a thought group, a group of words which carries a single idea. It’s not natural to try and say a whole sentence in one breath, either. We do that in order to organize our thoughts and help our listeners easily follow what we’re saying.

Example:

English learners need help to develop this skill when they study pronunciation.

We have these thought groups here:
English learners need help (which could be broken into ‘english learners/ need help’ if, for example, you need to speak slowly for some reason)
to develop this skill
when they study pronunciation


So when we read the sentence above, we should make short pauses between those groups of words, if we want to sound more natural.

One way to learn this is through listening materials. Reading the transcript while listening, pay attention to the way the speakers pause between single thought groups.  You can play it back and try to imitate what they’re saying, focusing on the groups of words that are pronounced in the same breath and the places they make a pause.

Video lesson on Thought Groups.

More help on Pronunciation

Comments

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ramesh.sinha1

India

thanks!

10:33 PM Aug 13 2010 |

JimZen

JimZen

China

it's a wonderful lesson, and useful .

hope that there will be more lessons which relate to thythm, stress and intovation.

 

05:16 AM Sep 19 2009 |

rem0o

United Arab Emirates

Hi

 

04:50 AM Sep 17 2009 |

jinfeng0921

China

Thank you ! I want to improve my english! all friend:who can help me!

11:14 AM Sep 16 2009 |

peryzad

Egypt

hi every body im sama from egypt i wish to be afrriend with all if u and thanx nadia

11:37 AM Sep 13 2009 |

dean.xiang@hotmail.com

China

i speak a bit fast…

 

09:45 PM Sep 11 2009 |

reman

Yemen

Hello ,,

How are you everyone. I am Ali Al_wali

from Yemen, I would like to know all members are here

12:28 PM Sep 09 2009 |

nankaoyan

China

Very good!

Thanks!

04:17 AM Sep 09 2009 |

mini lony lee

Yemen

well i talk very very fast and no one can understand me

 i hope this lesson can do so

 thanx nad1a

07:23 PM Sep 07 2009 |

alyousufi

Yemen

hi my name is sameer I from yemen

10:18 PM Sep 04 2009 |

Nofre

Philippines

Four Thumbs up!! ( I asked my buddy here to raise his thumbs too)

09:10 AM Sep 04 2009 |

Nofre

Philippines

Four Thumbs up!! ( I asked my buddy here to raise his thumbs too)

09:10 AM Sep 04 2009 |

roulette

roulette

Indonesia

GOOD JOB EXPANATION!!

12:42 AM Aug 24 2009 |

eng_fabio.jesus

Brazil

very good! thanks

10:06 PM Aug 23 2009 |

esz8

esz8

Saudi Arabia

Thanks a lot Nad1 a

06:45 AM Aug 02 2009 |

xiaxia

China

 I'm so happy!

02:18 PM Jul 07 2009 |

australiman

Australia

with love in spirit all languages are very very easy

07:18 AM Jul 05 2009 |

rashalooking4frend

Syrian Arab Republic

thank nad1a u so niceInnocent

10:09 AM Jun 12 2009 |

sara.shadi

Kuwait

thanx for this important information about chunks

 

08:30 PM Jun 09 2009 |

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