How to Improve Correct Pronunciation in English?

Reasons why Japanese English is not transmitted natively

In addition to pronunciation, there are several other reasons why Japanese English is not transmitted correctly natively.

Here, let's look at three typical reasons.

1 The voice is small

If you are not confident in how to read and pronounce English, your voice may be quiet. However, if the voice is low, the other party cannot hear it even at a meeting or presentation. Even if the pronunciation is a little wrong, a person with a loud voice may get a better idea of what he or she wants to convey.

It is important to be conscious and speak loudly, as natives often speak to Hakihaki and are not accustomed to quiet voices.

2 The rhythm is different

If the rhythm of an English word is incorrect, it may not be transmitted even if the intonation and pronunciation are correct. As long as the rhythm is right, even if something else is a little wrong, it will often work.

In the case of Japanese, we will create a rhythm with each of the three patterns of "vowels only", "consonants and vowels", and "n" as one syllable. On the other hand, in English, syllables are created by capturing syllables in various patterns compared to Japanese, such as "vowels only", "consonants and vowels", "vowels and consonants", and "consonants and vowels and consonants". There are also English-specific rules, such as not pronouncing specific vowels at the end of a word.

In this way, Japanese and English have very different rhythms, so it often happens that Japanese English is difficult to convey to native speakers. When speaking English, be aware that you pronounce it in the correct rhythm as much as possible.

3 Using difficult English words

In fact, there are many English words that natives do not usually use, even if they are English words that Japanese learn in English classes at school. Natives do not use difficult words in everyday conversation or business situations. On the contrary, using difficult words and expressions in everyday conversation can make you feel like someone who doesn't understand TPO.

The primary purpose of communication in any language is "communication." It is important to keep in mind that the words you use are understandable to the other person, and to be able to explain using simple words and expressions even if the content is difficult.

Examples of English words not used by native speakers

There are many words that Japanese people tend to use in English but not native speakers. Here, let's look at difficult English words that Japanese people tend to use, and examples of words and expressions that natives use instead of those English words.

Get, get

Words that Japanese people tend to use: obtain / receive

Native word: get

Advise

Words that Japanese people tend to use: advise

Native word: tell / warn

Listen back

Words that Japanese people tend to use: What?

Native word: Sorry? / Excuse me?

Help

Words that Japanese people tend to use: assist

Native word: help

Observe

Words that Japanese people tend to use: observe

Native word: see

Turn down

Words that Japanese people tend to use: No.

Words used by natives: Actually, ~

Conduct

Words that Japanese people tend to use: perform

Native word: do / carry out

Regarding

Words that Japanese people tend to use: registering / concerning

Native word: about

Hence

Words that Japanese people tend to use: therefore

Native word: so

Inquire

Words that Japanese people tend to use: inquire

Native word: ask

Manipulate

Words that Japanese people tend to use: operator

Native word: run

Reject

Words that Japanese people tend to use: reject

Native word: turn down

Consider

Words that Japanese people tend to use: consider

Words used by natives: take into account

Ask

Words that Japanese people tend to use: request

Words used by natives: ask for

Pronunciation and katakana English that Japanese people tend to make mistakes

From here, we will introduce English pronunciation that Japanese people tend to misuse, and Katakana English that is easy to pronounce incorrectly.

English words that are easy to mispronounce

First, let's look at English words that are easy to pronounce by mistake.

enable: enable

It's easy to read "e" as "e" and pronounce it as "enable" or "enabel", but natives pronounce it like "enabled".

clothes: clothes

It's easy to pronounce it as "crossies," but it's actually pronounced like "crows."

foreigner: foreigner

If you read it as it is, it tends to be "Foreigner", but in reality, it sounds like "Foreigner".

women: women (plural of woman)

It is easy to read "wo" as "wo" and "me" as "me" and pronounce them as "warmen". In reality, the pronunciation is close to "Wimin".

Two English words that are easy to make mistakes

Here, let's look at a combination of words that have similar spellings and pronunciations, but are actually read differently. It is important to understand the difference in each pronunciation and use them properly.

「lose」「loose」

These two words are spelled and pronounced differently, but they are easy to make mistakes in English conversation.

lose is pronounced "loose". It's a verb that means you lose something, you can't find it, you lose.

On the other hand, loose is pronounced "loose". This is an adjective that means free and loose. As a verb, it has the meaning of unwinding and releasing something.

"Personnel" and "personal"

Words with similar spellings, but with different pronunciations and meanings.

personnel is pronounced "personnel". It is a noun that means employees and human resources.

And personal is pronounced "personal". This is an adjective that means personal and personal.

「advice」「advise」

This word is annoying because it has similar spelling, pronunciation, and meaning, but the pronunciation is slightly different.

advice is pronounced "advice". When the ending is pronounced "su", it becomes a noun and has the meaning of "advice" which is often used in Japanese.

And advise is pronounced "advise". This is a verb that ends with "z" and means "advise".

Katakana Words that cannot be conveyed in English

In Japanese, there are "foreign words" taken from overseas. Many of these loanwords are written in katakana, and we Japanese casually use them on a daily basis. However, many of these words, even if they look like English, are not understood by native speakers.

Here, let's look at words in Katakana English that are difficult to convey to native speakers if pronounced as they are.

theme: theme

In Japanese, it is read as "theme", but native speakers pronounce it as "e (mu)". In this case, "th" is just a sound to deflate the air. Be careful not to pronounce it as "te".

doctor: doctor

In Japanese, it is read as "doctor", but the native pronunciation is closer to "dactor".

alcohol: alcohol

Although it is read as "alcohol" in Japanese, the native pronunciation is similar to "alcohol".

In Japanese, "h" is not pronounced, so it is "alcohol".

stop: stop

In Japanese, it is pronounced "stop", but the native pronunciation is close to "staap".

This is because the small Japanese pronunciation of "sokuon" does not exist in English.

American: American

In Japanese, it is pronounced "American", but natives pronounce it like "American".

It is easy to pronounce "a" as "a", but be careful because "a" has various readings.

Listen to native pronunciation

The reason why English that is transmitted between Japanese people is not transmitted natively may be due to pronunciation and English words used. When you speak English in a business scene such as a meeting or presentation, make sure that you can read the English words that you casually use correctly so that they can be conveyed in the correct sense to the native speakers.