Rules and Practices 2: Linking

In rapid speech, when one word is linked with the next, sounds cluster together. Some sounds are lost, some are added, some shift to different words, some change, and some are spoken almost simultaneously.

Most sound changes are too complex to learn consciously, but many of these changes will occur automatically if you make an effort to blend or link together words in the same thought group.

A few of the more useful rules for linking follow. These guidelines will help not only your pronunciation but also your comprehension of native speaker speech.

Rule 10-4:

When consecutive words in the same thought group end and begin with the same consonant sound, the sound is held or lengthened, not pronounced twice.

• at͜  twelve -- (hold t)
• big͜  game -- (hold g)
• good͜  deal -- (hold d)
• class͜  schedule -- (lengthen s)
• he'll͜  look -- (lengthen l)
• with͜  three -- (lengthen th)

When consecutive words in the same thought group end and begin with similar consonants (made in the same part of the mouth), combine the two sounds into one.

• late͜  dinner
• help͜  me
• bought͜  some
• sit͜  down
• fat͜  chance

Rule 10-5

When a word begins with a vowel sound, borrow the final consonant sound from the previous word in the same thought group.

• pick͜  it͜  up = pi ki tup
• take͜  off = ta koff
• drop͜  him͜  off = dro pi moff

Rule 10-6

Stop consonants-- /p/ and /b/, /k/ and /g/, and /t/ and /d/-- at the ends of words are spoken at almost the same time as the first consonant sounds in the next words. Hold the stop until you are ready to say the next sound.

Examples:

• cab͜  driver -- (hold /b/ until you are ready to say /d/)
• lab͜  technician
• stop͜  sign
• keep͜  trying
• lap͜  top computer
• look͜  like
• big͜  problem

Adapted from L Grant, "Well Said" 2nd Ed.