Welcome to my newsletter! How do you say the word "orchard"? Is it "orchard" or "orkard"? I came across this question while reading a children's book called Midnight Farm by Reeves Lindbergh. The quote was, "Here is the dark of the orchard farm where nine deer gather from all around." I wasn't sure if I was pronouncing "orchard" correctly.
I was saying "orkard," which sounded right to me. But I wasn't certain, as words like these can be tricky. The word "orchard" came up again when my husband and I were planning a trip to a local vineyard for our 12th wedding anniversary. Speaking of which, how do you pronounce "vineyard"? Is it "vin yard" or "vine-yard"? If you're still following me up to this point, I will tell you how to move past these word rabbit holes.
I often struggle with pronunciation, and I don't always remember how others say certain words. This leads to moments of uncertainty, even when I know the meaning of the word. Sometimes we might feel about 95% confident that we're saying a word correctly, only to find out that it is completely wrong. So how can we be sure we're pronouncing words correctly? One helpful tool is a dictionary and learning a bit about the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Additionally, websites like YouGlish can be very useful. YouGlish is like a combination of YouTube and Google. You look up a word, and you can see and hear how different people pronounce it in different countries and with different accents.
This can help you get a feel for a word as pronunciation can vary. To confidently pronounce words, even if you might not be 100% accurate, start by using dictionaries and learning the basics of IPA. This knowledge will give you a strong foundation. Then, practice by listening to English speakers on platforms like YouGlish. Hearing a word in different contexts will help you understand common variations. With knowledge, practice, and action, speaking those tricky words will become easier over time. You might make mistakes at first, but don't worry; you can improve with practice.
If you need help with pronunciation, feel free to reach out to me. We can work together to speak English with more clarity and confidence.
Take care!
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