Pronunciation: Assimilation of /n/ followed by /p/

source: BBC Learning English     2016年8月26日
Tim's back in his pronunciation workshop. This time he's looking at an aspect of connected speech called assimilation of /n/ followed by /p/. Find out what it is, how to use it, and practise saying it yourself! For more, visit our website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/...

Transcript:
Tim: Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here, I'm gonna show you how English is really spoken. It'll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker. Come on, let's go inside. Now, one of the things that happens when we speak fluently is that the sounds at the end of a word can change. To demonstrate this, we asked people on the streets of London to identify this Tube station.

Voxpops:
Green Park
It's Green Park
Tim: Now, the word Green ends in the sound /n/, doesn't it? Or does it? Listen again, what sound can you hear?

Voxpops:
Green Park
It's Green Park

Tim: So, what's happening here? Well, when one word ends in the sound /n/ and the next word begins with a /p/, /b/, /w/ or /m/ sound, then the /n/ from the end of the word changes to an /m/ sound as your mouth gets ready to pronounce the next sound. 'Green Park' becomes 'Greempark'. Watch again - this time in slow motion. Look at the mouth shape. Can you see /n/, or /m/?

Voxpops:
Green Park
It's Green Park

Tim: Interesting, eh? This is called assimilation. Here are some more examples:
Examples
I own ten pairs of socks.
He didn't do it on purpose.
I would love to live in Paris.
Can you come on Wednesday?

Tim: Right, so you've heard the examples and now it's your turn. Are you ready? Listen and repeat.
Examples
I own ten pairs of socks.
He didn't do it on purpose.
I would love to live in Paris.
Can you come on Wednesday?