English Sounds - T [t] and D [d] Consonants - How to make the T and D Consonants

Key Concepts:

• True T and D: Stop consonants with a stop and a release.
• Stop T and D: Stop consonants where the air is stopped but not released.
• Flap T and D: A sound made when the tongue bounces against the roof of the mouth, similar to an R in some languages.
• T and D dropping: Omitting the T or D sound in certain contexts.
• Voiced vs. Unvoiced: D is voiced (vocal cords vibrate), T is unvoiced (only air passes through).

True T and D Pronunciation

• Definition: True T and D are stop consonants, meaning they involve a complete stop of airflow followed by a release.
• Mouth Position: The flat, top part of the tongue is placed at the roof of the mouth, far forward, almost touching the back of the top front teeth. The teeth come together.
• Release: The tongue comes down from the roof of the mouth, the teeth part, and the air is released from the throat.
• Voicing: T is unvoiced (only air), D is voiced (vocal cords vibrate).
• Examples:
  • "desk": Teeth close, tongue at the roof of the mouth, then release into the "EH" vowel.
  • "stick": Teeth close, tongue at the roof of the mouth, then release into the "IH" vowel.
  • "expect": Teeth nearly close, tongue at the roof of the mouth, minimal release as there's no next sound to release into.
  • "said": True D can be made without the teeth coming together because of the voice in the sound.
  • "set": True T requires the teeth to come together or nearly together.

Stop T and D Pronunciation

• Definition: Stop T and D occur when the T or D is at the end of a sentence or followed by a consonant. The airflow is stopped, but not released.
• Process: Lift the tongue into the T/D position, stop the air, and hold.
• Example:
  • "mad": The sound stops at the beginning of the D (dd--), with vocal cords engaged, but without a release (mad-dd-- instead of mad-dd--).
  • "not for me": The T is followed by F. The air is stopped (not--), then goes directly into the F sound without releasing the T.
• Tongue Position Variation: The tongue doesn't always need to be in the full T position to stop the sound. A part of the tongue further back can touch the roof of the mouth. This makes the stop shorter and allows for a smoother transition to the next sound.
• Example: In "not for me", the tongue tip can stay down, and a part of the tongue further back can touch the roof of the mouth.
• Comparison:
  • "what" (Stop T): Tongue goes to the roof of the mouth, air stops, teeth aren't together, no release.
  • "what" (True T): Teeth come together, then a sudden release.

Flap T and D Pronunciation

• Definition: The Flap T and D occur when the T or D comes between two vowels or diphthongs, or after an R and before a vowel or diphthong, unless the T or D starts a stressed syllable.
• Sound: The Flap T and Flap D sound the same.
• Process: The front part of the tongue bounces against the roof of the mouth without stopping the airflow.
• Comparison: The T in "matter" sounds the same as the D in "madder".
• Symbol: The D symbol is used to represent this sound.
• Examples:
  • "city": The T is between two vowels, so it's a flap. The tongue flaps against the roof of the mouth quickly without stopping the air.
  • "party": The T is after an R and before a vowel, so it's a flap. The tongue is back and up for the R, then flaps.
  • "tidy": The D is after a diphthong and before a vowel, so it's a Flap D.
• Isolation Technique: Hold out the sounds before and after the flap (e.g., "Par--ty") to feel the tongue bouncing.
• Dictionary Representation: Dictionaries typically show the True T symbol even when Americans pronounce it as a flap.

T and D Dropping

• Definition: The complete omission of the T or D sound.
• Contexts:
  • When the T or D comes between two consonant sounds.
    • Example: "exactly" (K-T-L consonants) often pronounced "exactly".
  • When the T comes after an N.
    • Example: "center" often pronounced "cenner", "interview" often pronounced "innerview".
• Reason: Simplifies pronunciation.

Examples and Practice

• Best (Tt--)
• Time (Tt--)
• Do (Dd--)
• Odd (--dd)
• Cut
• Better (Ra-- Better)

Conclusion:

The pronunciation of T and D in American English is nuanced and context-dependent. Understanding the differences between True, Stop, and Flap T/D, as well as the instances where T/D are dropped, is crucial for achieving clear and natural-sounding American English pronunciation. The video emphasizes that learning these sounds in context, rather than in isolation, is key to improving fluency.