Linking and Intonation Practice
The following two short conversations include the last two diphthongs in the English phonetic vowel chart: /ay/ and /aw/. Keep in mind that these vowel sounds begin with a Latin “a;” consequently, remember that each of these two sounds begin with the jaw lowered and the mouth open in /a/-position and then moving up to the /y/ or /w/-position. Avoid pronouncing these two vowel sounds like you tend to use it in your native language.
| A dialog including /ay/ | |
| Mr. Pyle | Are you seeing Mike tonight? |
| Ivy | Yes. He has a new motorcycle. He bought it last week. |
| Mr. Pyle | Did he let you ride it? |
| Ivy | Yes. I tried it. And I liked it. |
| Mr. Pyle | Weren’t you frightened? |
| Ivy | Sure, but I still liked it. |
| Mr. Pyle | Would you like to by a motorcycle? |
| Ivy | No, I don’t think so. I think I’ll buy a bike. |
| My. Pyle | A bike? |
| Ivy | Yes. Riding on Mike’s motorcycle was nice, but I’d rather have a bike. And it’s cheaper. |
| A dialog including /aw/ | |
| Tory | I heard a shot coming from town? |
| John | I couldn’t hear anything. What happened to the people in the house? |
| Tory | Everyone around the house was shouting at Don! But he didn’t go down there, and I didn’t either. |
| John | Was Don planning to go downtown to find out what had happened? |
| Tory | Not really. We think there is no sense in being around trouble. |
| John | What did Don say about the shot? |
| Tory | Don said, “I doubt that anyone was hurt. But the hospital is just around the corner. That’s really lucky.” |
| John | Don has a good way of thinking. |
| Tory | He’s pretty calm, don’t you think? |
| John | Yes. And after the shot downtown, how have you been? |
| Tory | Well. Things have been better. I have to go out now. So long! |
| John | Talk to you later. Bye. |
