[Mastering English Pronunciation: The Difference Between 'E' and 'I' Sounds]-[How to pronounce 'eat' and 'it' | The Coffee Break English Show 1.04]

Learn English with Coffee Break English · A2 · 2023-11-10

📋 Summary

Mastering English Pronunciation: The Nuances of Vowel Sounds

In this episode of the Coffee Break English show, host Josie is joined by Mauricio from the Coffee Break Italian team to tackle one of the most common hurdles for non-native English speakers: the distinction between the vowel sounds /iː/ (as in "eat") and /ɪ/ (as in "it").

The Complexity of English Vowels

English is notoriously difficult for learners because of its vowel system. While the alphabet only contains five vowel letters (A, E, I, O, U), the language actually utilizes 12 distinct vowel sounds. In contrast, languages like Italian have a much smaller set, typically between five and seven. This discrepancy explains why speakers of other languages often struggle to differentiate sounds that do not exist in their native phonetic inventory.

The Long 'E' Sound (/iː/)

Mauricio and Josie start by examining the /iː/ sound found in "eat." This is described as a long vowel sound. To produce it correctly, the jaw should not be relaxed; instead, the muscles around the mouth should be tense, almost as if you are smiling.

Examples provided include:

Eat: "I eat pasta."
Feet: "I have two feet."
Sheep: "I count sheep to go to bed."
Beat: "My football team beat your football team."

The Short 'I' Sound (/ɪ/)

Moving to the /ɪ/ sound, as in "it," the hosts highlight that this sound is absent in Italian, leading many learners to default to the long /iː/ sound instead. This substitution is a telltale sign of an Italian accent in English. To articulate the short /ɪ/ correctly, the jaw must be relaxed and slightly open, with the tip of the tongue placed behind the bottom teeth.

Examples of the /ɪ/ sound include:

It: "It is raining."
Fit: "I go running to keep fit."
Ship: "There’s a big ship sailing on the ocean."
Bit: Used in the context of "I speak a bit of German" or the past tense of bite, "The dog bit me."

Practical Application and Common Pitfalls

Mauricio admits that these subtle differences can occasionally lead to confusion, such as mistaking the words "this" and "these." To help listeners build confidence, the hosts engaged in a series of practice sentences designed to contrast the two sounds:

"I sit on the seat."
"Can I eat it?"
"The shoes fit on my feet."
"Is that a ship or a sheep?"

Conclusion: Clarity and Confidence

While minor pronunciation slips are generally acceptable as long as the speaker remains intelligible, the hosts emphasize that practicing these specific pairs is crucial for improving clarity and confidence. The episode concludes by encouraging learners to focus on these phonetic nuances, noting that mastering these sounds is a manageable step toward more natural-sounding English.

🎯Key Sentences

I'm ready.

That's correct.

I see what you mean.

It's more than five.

It is.

Expand All

📝Key Phrases

take charge of

move on to

native speaker

keep learning

depending on

Expand All

📖 Transcript

There's never been a faster or easier way to start your weight loss journey than with

Plushcare.

Plushcare accepts most insurance plans and gives you online access to board certified

physicians who can prescribe FDA-approved weight loss medications like Wigovie and Zep

Bound for those who qualify.

Take charge of your health and speak with a board certified physician about a weight loss

Or study on the web version →