The Most DIFFICULT Sound in English is….T! (Seriously) | Speaking English

Speaking English is TOUGH. And here’s one of the most difficult sounds you’ll need to master: T. It looks innocent and you probably THINK you know how to say it…but do you?
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00:00 Introduction
00:14 the Letter T pronunciation
00:26 Sounds of American English Cheat Sheet
01:08 Start of Ted Talk / Stop T example
02:32 Stop T color and general rule
02:44 True T example
03:23 Quick thanks / Join KZbin community
03:53 Flap T example
04:57 Opportunity
06:05 System
06:45 Dropped T
07:44 What is Ted Talk
08:19 The/ Motion
09:18 The rest of the Ted talk
09:26 Temperature Ch
10:55 T as CH
11:41 ed ending playlist
12:49 Ted Talk Continuation
20:33 United
21:04 Subscribe and join the Academy
Video on Dropping T in 11 Common Words: • Do NOT say the T in th...
Series on -ed ending pronunciations: • ED ENDINGS (1/3) Ameri...
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Improve your American Accent / spoken English at Rachel's English with video-based lessons and exercises. Rachel uses real life English conversation as the basis for teaching how to speak English and how to sound American -- improve listening comprehension skills. Study English vocabulary and English phrases such as phrasal verbs, as well as common expressions in English. Learn American idioms and American slang.
#RachelsEnglish #LearnEnglish #EnglishPronunciation #AmericanEnglishPronunciation

[@rachelsenglish]

Want to Speak Confidently? www.RachelsEnglishAcademy.com #1 Book on Speaking English: www.RachelsEnglish.com/book My IG is FUN!: instagram.com/rachelsenglish/

[@zelenssoDeSedaRosa]

I just can’t stop thinking of Seymour Hersh as I listen to her talk. You could not have picked up a better video. 🎉😂

[@robertkohler3856]

Wow! A masterpiece. The topic of the speech ,very intriguing ,too. America doesn’t need anyone to make it big again,because it’s already VERY big. Made by people like you. Auf Wiedersehen.

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate it Robert!

[@GeraldoSimoes-sh1rs]

You were born to teach and I thank God.

[@bantorio6525]

... I would say that Rachel is the anatomist surgeon of the English language, as she divides it into pieces and analyzes them one by one in a spectacular way.

[@paultruong6390]

Rachel's is an English teacher excenllently

[@caroldragon7545]

I am a native speaker, but I love watching your lessons. In this one i think I've noticed several things not mentioned. When the speaker says actually, she pronounces the t as sh rather than ch and when she says adapt, I hear it as a stop t. She pronounces the t in often, but many folks pronounce it with a silent t. I'm not sure about natural, but I heard it with a ch sound and I may have gotten mixed up on the color for ch. As always, I look forward to your next video.

[@orlandomoreno6168]

Akshually is also a valid pronounciation

[@LeoListening]

The fast pronunciation of “actually” can sound like the first name “Ashley”! Some adverbs get so reduced in fast speech. It’s wild!

[@desexplicando]

I love the explanation about the sounds of the letter T and the message that smart woman wanted to spread.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Milly!

[@daniloquirogabasaure469]

TED.....I have had the opportunity to watch some videos and they are addictively wonderful. Thank you very much for existing and being of help to many people who are looking for change. A big hug!

[@rachelsenglish]

Hi Danilo! Thanks for this great feedback - it's always great to hear positive things.

[@moussakham4819]

Thank you so much teacher...I'm so happy learning English from you ❤️...thank you again

[@catdaddy5192]

My favourite English teacher!

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you!

[@redpillbulgaria-v2.063]

A bit off-topic, but Rachel are you aware that the "Elsa Speak" software is using some of your videos in their training???

[@julia.95]

omg seriously? hope she sees your comment! they r getting money for subscription, they should definitely pay her!

[@gene4859]

I found her channel because of that app, I was wondering if she knows about that or not

[@gamer_monk]

@@gene4859 she would know, of course

[@rachelsenglish]

Hi, We aware of this. They apparently pay a licensing fee for the content they use. Thanks for checking on this though! :)

[@aleph_zero]

Rachel herself has already advertised about Elsa Speak. With discount coupom.

[@moussangugi1107]

I just came to this channel for the first time. I have been follow @EnglishwithLucy for British English and she recommend this channel for American English accent and pronunciations. I am honestly amazed by this class. I am from Kenya, in East Africa and America English is seen quite hard because of shortening, dropping and varying sounds in normal conversations. I am planning to come to the US for studies in a couple of years. So when is a better time to learn American English than now. See Yah (trying to type in America English) Rachel.

[@rachelsenglish]

Great! Thanks for sharing Moussa!

[@readytostudy.]

Hey Rachel,I just love your videos...........this one seems pretty interesting.You're rocking it.👏

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks so much for this kind comment! :)

[@thecuriousone1790]

I've been a long-time fan of your channel, Rachel. I absolutely love your videos. This one in particular is incredibly useful. I admire such thorough research. Thanks!!!!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate it!

[@djibrilbigirimana2309]

Awesome, Thanks Rachel😊. I loved Ted's presentation as well.

[@rachelsenglish]

You're so welcome Djibril!

[@daniloquirogabasaure469]

Rules, norms, trends, exceptions ......thank you for using the colors, it helps a lot..thank you very much

[@English-test2023]

Thank you so much teacher Rachel for this gorgeous video.❤

[@rachelsenglish]

You're so welcome HkeemAhmed!

[@Number1Hater939]

In the ongoing yt english teachers' battle nobody has even mentioned Rachel. That happen when you offer quality in your videos.

[@cheetah2882]

You are always on the ball! Thanks 🎉

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome!

[@jimcachapero1249]

In my native language, there is no true T, stop T, flapped T and dropped T. Thank you Rachel for this video. ❤

[@joseluiz_real]

You are at the top of teaching game for sure! Thank you for your valuable content and dedication time.

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate that Jose!

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

I've learned to sense or feel the glottis closing in my throat and so I can tell that many of my "Stop T's" are actually glottal stops, such as the word 'it'. This makes sense because it sounds the same and producing the stop with your glottis is more economical or lazy. In regard to "what do you think?" however, I do sense the stop being performed by my tongue sealing against my upper teeth gumline. This also makes sense because of the following /d/ sound. It's amazing how, without concious thought, our brains find the laziest way to make speech sounds and transition between them. Ease of use & laziness is why I'm so keen to transition to a fully phonemic alphabet so we can type what we say and draw a direct connection between the printed page and our language holes. Wuduyu ћiŋk? Uh oh, I just used a symbol that represents the Forbidden Consonant! KZbin may ban me now.

[@Zzyzzyx]

Then every regional or personal accent would require different spellings - yikes!

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

@@Zzyzzyx We could still have dictionaries and demand conformance to Standard American English for formal writing. Informal chat group stuff could get weird but it already kind of does. Spell Check can still help keep things in line. The extra sounds don't really provide enough granularity to specify minor accent variances. (Ђu ekstru saqndz don't rεlε pruvuεd εnuf granyqlaritε tq spesifʌε mʌεnr aksent verεensiz.) There are big upsides for new learners of the language who are trying to read new words, since each letter represents a single specific sound that must be pronounced. No more looking at a vowel salad & taking a wild guess.

[@batangtrip6405]

Wow, this is what I'm looking for. Thanks for sharing this topic.

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure!

[@yawalakdiruscio8671]

Really appreciate Rachel !! 💞

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you!

[@BePositive-to3oj]

Mind blowing ❤

[@rj-jl5nv]

Absolutely fascinating! Even though I am very much aware of so many things you say, being a proficient speaker, I always manage to learn new things with you. Thank you!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome!

[@Kilan-Ashraf-Mohammed-Sweden]

You sound good and you are a good teacher 👍 Jag tycker att du är en expertlärare i amerikanskt språk, ordförråd, dialekt och mer om amerikanska språkstudier. 👍 Bravo 👍

[@Belal6642]

I always excited for your new lesson, It's really give me a good knowledge. I'm following you regularly.

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad to hear that and thanks for watching Belal!

[@fangbinji6750]

两个元音之间 T为flap T, 字母R之后，也为flap T, 但是当T所在的音节为重音节时，尽管在字母R之后，T为ture T.

[@fangbinji6750]

system 在标准的字典或正式场合是 true T, 但是规则不是完美的，是有变化的。这个演说人她的发音是flap T. 当n位于t之前时，则T为drop T. 例如：percent of, 读作 percenof, 以及twenty, internet.这种情况发生在 n在t 之前，而且 t 之后为元音或者双元音。

[@rolinychupetin]

Amazing! Such clarity. I never realized that this is what I do. I could have sworn I was always using the "full t" ... well, I recorded myself, and ... I'm not. I'm blown away by your wisdom, Master Teacher Rachel. I can coach better my students. I am making it mandatory for them to subscribe to your channel.

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate it Rolinychupetin!

[@alberto220]

Always interesting and you learn more. Thanks!

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad to hear it Alberto!

[@lazizjonpodcast]

I love this content. It's really amazing 😊

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad you enjoy it Data!

[@trinidadgarcia6919]

Rachel this is a very good and clear explanation, about true T, dropped T and stopT. Was the first rule I learned, long time ago. I love the way you teach Englihs!!! You're the best!!! Tankyou so much Rachel, God bless you an you family!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome Trinidad!

[@user-kz8wf9gu7r]

That s all very interesting. I m a teacher of English , but I ve learnt about it for the first time. We weren t tought it at the university and I see I missed a lot. And it s just a part of a big theme called connected speech. And I wonder what language I ve been teaching people.

[@paultruong6390]

I love your lesson help all people make to correct pronounciation

[@carlosbruce1155]

I can't stop watching your videos anymore, they are extraordinary. I will enroll in your English course

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate it Carlos!

[@philippegilson]

Hello ! Despite the time I spent in the US, I still can't pronounce as an American. It still have a British pronunciation. If I make an effort I can speak with an American pronunciation. Phil. Peace.

[@sergeipetrov5572]

Thank you, Rachel!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Sergei!

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

So much you too! For help us. Defenitely you are one of the Best English teacher in the World by far. Sorry for my poor English, I try to learn but, It is touth for me but, I Will never give up. Have a wonderful Day Rachel 👍

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Eustaquio! Keep it up!

[@LeoListening]

Fascinating! I love this idea of doing a deep-dive into one sound and all it's different manifestations. It's easy to think we "know" all about a seemingly simple sound like /t/. As a British English speaker, I use glottal stops A LOT in place of the ts, in the middle and at the ends of words. It almost makes sense to expect not to hear ts rather than to hear them, in my accent especially. I'm fascinated by the American flap T and the dropped t on words like "internet" - it sounds so exotic to me! Thanks for the detailed dive into t. It's wild how much it varies, in a single TED talk with a single speaker! And you're right, those t types aren't always easy to assign.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for sharing @LeoListening!

[@Silva-oe1jn]

Curtindo todos os vídeos ❤❤

[@TuanTran-xo4gd]

Thanks so much Teacher!

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure Tuan!

[@Profteacher]

Way to go Rachel.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you!

[@lovefordnb]

Rachel you are a godess!! This video is so useful and helpful, I would show it to all English learners 😊 Big thank you ❤

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure @lovefordnb!

[@davideduardos4621]

I was just wondering how you can pick so many great examples to make us understand these trick sounds? We need to be greatfull to your amazing work on youtube. Thank you so much for every single video and be sure we learn a lot. ❤

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome David!

[@Jonesroydafivenine]

Great Rachel I was looking forward to this new video

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for watching Ouari!

[@erikpalacios9869]

Good afternoon Rachel Definitely this is a key in order to speak fluently, understand the different types of T: True, Stop, Flap, dropped. Thanks to you, I not only speak fluently also I understand much better native American speaking.

[@rachelsenglish]

That's great Erik! Keep it up!

[@user-gp4fz2fw4f]

Alllll your content is just so great ❤

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks a lot @user-gp4fz2fw4f!

[@user-tw2qv3ld5m]

Rachel, I can not express how grateful I am. Thank you so much, you really helped me 🥺💘

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome @user-tw2qv3ld5m!

[@oxnyl9931]

Thank you Rachel!

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Ox!

[@antoniocatraio5461]

I love your free lessons❤❤❤ Keep up your good jobs🙏🙏🙏

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to hear you love the lessons! :)

[@ronaldoferreiraoliveira]

Fantastic job teacher Rachel 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you Ronaldo!

[@Si_jeon1997]

Thank you so much rachel 🫂💖

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome!

[@annachekmareva7872]

Thanks soooooooo much ❤️ 😊 😘 Rachel!!!

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure Anna!

[@sk-wf9xp]

Thanks a lot! You are the best

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome!

[@samuelboussougou6541]

Thanks a lot Rachel,take care ....I love 💕

[@rachelsenglish]

You're so welcome Samuel!

[@samuelboussougou6541]

Ok mum,may God keeps granting you life and health. Take care mum..I appreciate you...

[@Jonesroydafivenine]

Rachel is kind of like a mom to me

[@bobosofyan5801]

Thank you Rachel

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Bobo!

[@pankajsarang6599]

Great job as usual Dear teacher ❤ Thank you so much...

[@rachelsenglish]

You're very welcome Pankaj!

[@IvanRodriguez-gx6jv]

wonderful explanation

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Ivan!

[@pmagalhaes]

What amazing lesson! Could you Rachel, please, make a video about pronunciation the word "strength" in all variations?

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for the suggestion Paulo!

[@prostalounia8803]

Besides, the material you presented today, I'd like to comment on the impressive editing skills the person does have , and how he or she's made the video more interesting while illustrating each point ❤👍🎆🙏

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks a lot Prosta!

[@lazizjonpodcast]

Great, a new content

[@whyhme-jw7iy]

Striking video ❤

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for watching!

[@michelle-english]

Thanks, I learned a lot.

[@rachelsenglish]

Glad to hear that Michelle!

[@GUIDORAFAEL2304]

excelent!

[@cassiavalladaresbastospeix4762]

Wonderful video, as usual. I appreciate it a lot your lessons. Tricky T.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Cássia!

[@mariaamaya2021]

God bess you teacher . I've learned lots of you.

[@rachelsenglish]

That's great Maria! Keep it up!

[@ledout7733]

Awesome class .

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you!

[@gjrl9512]

Hi Rachel!! Thank you for this video! The other day I was watching the movie “breakfast club” and noticed that they speak very fast and there were some parts a little difficult to understand. If you could please do a video teaching us the pronunciation just like you did with the show “friends”? Thank you!

[@rachelsenglish]

Great suggestion, thank you!

[@erikgardetemps9708]

Hi Rachel! I'm learning English since 3 weeks. I study 30 minutes/ 1 hour every day of the week. I think your youtube's channel is the best. When you're starting to learn English, the most important thing is the pronunciation and You Rachel are a super special teacher for that. Then I'm a new subscriber since today! Thanks and greetings from Switzerland ❤🇨🇭👍 Ps: I'm 56 years old and I speak Italian, French, Spanish and a bit of German too❤

[@rachelsenglish]

Hello there Erik and thanks for sharing! I'm impressed you speak a lot of languages! :)

[@rafaedu100]

Excellent vidéo 😁

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Rafael!

[@khushisoni6181]

Amazing ❤️

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks 😄

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Khushi!

[@bernardmansire8642]

thanks teacher

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Bernard!

[@rafaelcabrera1784]

🤔good idea teacher ... I will start to write using different colors because I'm learning very fast . Thanks a lot. 👍

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome @rafaelcabrera1784! 😊

[@Magic_key900]

Thank you so much

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Albert!

[@thaonguyenvan1047]

Thank you share lesson

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome @thaonguyenvan1047!

[@YY-zw2ec]

Oh, I lover your "Rogue" hairstyle from X-Men

[@concepcioncortez8622]

Thanks for helping video

[@rachelsenglish]

My pleasure @concepcioncortez8622!

[@franciscodasilvaaraujo4185]

And I really like this channel.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thank you Francisco!

[@naniengine]

So that's why so many British avoid it.

[@tranphuong7319]

I really found this lesson very useful. It would be great if there was an analysis of all the words in a Ted Talk so students could imitate and memorize. I'm looking for a video that teaches dropping the "K" sound.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks @tranphuong7319! This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX6rp5uQfpuGlbM

[@mirando100]

Hi Rachel 😊

[@leomessi5386]

There is also Glottal Stop which is I think a part of these T sounds, but anyway this video was really helpful, thanks to you for what you're doing 👍🏻

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for sharing Leomessi!

[@asdasdasdasdasd471]

Thank u😊

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome Khalid!

[@araceliorodriguez8540]

There's another kind of "t". You can hear it in words like mountain, sentence, Clinton, button, curtain, kitten, mitten, cotton, fountain, lighten, written... where the "t" is pronounced as a glottal stop.

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks for sharing Aracelio!

[@gm9836]

hey rachel ! we need the lesson about how to read math equation in english

[@zhiminshen8498]

谢谢分享辛苦了

[@bouchrayahiaoui567]

i'm very happy.yours videos are very intersting.you're very lovely

[@rachelsenglish]

I appreciate it Bouchra!

[@leorambark2496]

Thank you for another amazing video, Rachel! I often hear a glottal stop in the word ‘Washington,’ but not in this case, right?

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

There is a digraph in the word 'Washington'. It is 'ng', which represents a unique consonant for which we have no letter. I call it "The Forbidden Consonant". It is made by sealing up the flow of air through your mouth by lifting the rear of your tongue to the soft pallet. It is neither an /n/ or a /g/ but kind of in between. It is a tongue stop like an /n/ and it puts your tongue in great position to produce a hard /g/, but in 'Washington' no hard /g/ is produced. The forbidden & letterless consonant is followed by a true /t/. Compare 'linger' & 'singer'. Anyway, the forbidden consonant is very similar to a glottal stop but the difference is that air-flow is redirected out your nose and thus you can hum your way through the forbidden consonant or IPA (Ŋ) sound. A glottal stop seals airflow completely and thus silences your vocal chords.

[@rachelsenglish]

Interesting! I usually hear that with a light True T. I'd be interested in hearing the version you're describing. Thanks so much for your comment!

[@TheEnglishCup]

The last time I spoke to a Native American, he was like "I could never identify you as a foreigner" I couldn't have done it without you😊 Thanks a lot.

[@rachelsenglish]

You're welcome!

[@hollytreeenglish2015]

Hi. Thanks for this video. You are always so thorough. I was thinking, I wonder if the flap T in "system" and other words is because the following syllable is not stressed, and so the distressed syllable rule wins the battle of rules. What do you think?

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, it could be! It definitely seems like a pattern with flap T words.

[@peterphiong6724]

Good video and good editing, Rachel. Does the letter d work the same way as the letter t? Can you make a video about the letter d?

[@rachelsenglish]

Hi Peter! This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nni9anqtp7OKo7c

[@peterphiong6724]

@@rachelsenglish Thanks, Rachel.

[@diptimajumder9196]

Your detail explanation about pronunciation is always great, Rachel! Could you please tell me if tr sound 'chr' ,then would dr be 'dzr' sound? Hope you will clear my confusion.Thanks!

[@rachelsenglish]

Yes, absolutely. "Drag" can sound like "jrag"

[@diptimajumder9196]

​@@rachelsenglishThanks so much for the response !

[@johnyruiz9787]

At least I'm sure about one thing: the english T sound is like the life, always evolving, always changing. Great video, this makes clear the issue about this sound

[@rachelsenglish]

Thanks Johny!

[@JULIOCESAR-zn6cc]

It's a pity I'm too sick to study English 😢 But I love watching Rachel's videos and I hope to get better soon if God is willing 🙏🙏

[@rachelsenglish]

Get well soon Julio!

[@JULIOCESAR-zn6cc]

@@rachelsenglish Thanks a lot, Rachel. If I die at least I will die happy because I learned a lot with your videos and keep up the good working teaching more people like me to learn English 👏👏👏🥹😇

[@studywiththi]

❤❤❤❤❤thanks from VietNam. I’m learning your lessons ❤❤❤❤

[@rachelsenglish]

Hello there and thanks for watching Trinh!

[@lucianofarah7652]

Please, more Ben Franklin exercises. Thanks 🇧🇷

[@michaljakistam136]

Hi Rachel. That's a really good video. Thanks for helping us with. Great job. I just wanted to ask how do you pronounce 't' in the word highfalutin?

[@rachelsenglish]

Hi Michal! I recommend using YouGlish.com to look up those words and listen to how native speakers say them!

[@michaljakistam136]

@@rachelsenglish I did. But It sounds to me like they totally drop 't' in this word. I just wanted double check with you

[@MASKVOYZ]

Thanks for your really awsm video Rachel ❤ u are the best teacher i ever seen in my life i hope i was born in America if i i really wanna meet with you ❤ how can I thanks you i have no words for your videos u are just best best best 😊 btw what's your favourite sport?

[@rachelsenglish]

I enjoy watching football, but I like watching all kinds of sports!