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Pronunciation – The TH Sound

English pronunciation can be tricky, especially when it comes to sounds like the TH sound. Mastering this sound is key to improving your English pronunciation and sounding more fluent. In this guide, we’ll explore how to correctly pronounce the TH sound and provide useful tips and exercises to help you practice.

Understanding the TH Sound

The TH sound is unique to English and is represented by two sounds: voiced (/ð/) and voiceless (/θ/).

  • Voiced TH (/ð/): This sound is heard in words like “this,” “that,” and “them.” To make this sound, lightly place your tongue between your teeth and push air out.
  • Voiceless TH (/θ/): This sound is found in words like “think,” “thanks,” and “both.” To produce this sound, touch the tip of your tongue against the top front teeth and blow air out.

Pronunciation Tips

  1. Voiced TH (/ð/):
    • Position your tongue lightly between your teeth.
    • Practice saying: “this,” “that,” “weather.”
  2. Voiceless TH (/θ/):
    • Touch the tip of your tongue against the top front teeth.
    • Try words like: “think,” “thanks,” “math.”

Pronunciation - The TH sound

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Practicing regularly is key to improving the pronunciation of the TH sound.

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The TH sound is one of the most challenging sounds for ESL learners to master in English pronunciation.

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The tongue-twister "Thirty-three thick thistle sticks" contains examples of both voiced and voiceless TH sounds.

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Minimal pairs can be helpful in practicing the correct pronunciation of the TH sounds.

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To produce the voiceless TH sound (/θ/), the tongue is positioned lightly between the teeth.

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The TH sound is present in many languages around the world, not just English.

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The tongue position for the voiced TH sound (/ð/) is the same as the tongue position for the voiceless TH sound (/θ/).

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It is common for ESL learners to substitute the TH sound with sounds from their native language.

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The voiced TH sound (/ð/) is heard in words like "thin" and "math."

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The voiceless TH sound (/θ/) is heard in words like "think" and "thank."

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The voiced TH sound (/ð/) is produced by touching the tip of the tongue against the top front teeth.

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The TH sound is represented by two distinct sounds in English: voiced (/ð/) and voiceless (/θ/).

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