Accent Reduction Classroom

American English speakers use linking to join words toegether so that they are easy to say and flow together smoothly. It often sounds like people are saying one long word since they don’t leave spaces between words.

Here are 2 common types of linking that we use in spoken American English.

Consonant to vowel linking

When words that end in a consonant sound are adjacent to words that begin with a vowel sound we hold the consonant sound of the first word until we say the vowel sound of the second word in order to link these words together.

Here are some examples:
1. likes it = likes-sit
2. laughed at = laught-tat
3. explain it = explain-nit
4. wake up = wak-kup

In these phrases it sounds like the consonant is the last sound of the first word and the first sound in the adjacent word.

Vowel to vowel linking

When words that end in a vowel sound are adjacent to words that begin with a vowel sound we add a /y/ or /w/ sound to link the words together.

Here are some examples:
1. too + early = toowearly
2. who + is + it = whowizit
3. I + am = Iyam
4. do + it =dowit

Many non-native English speakers tend to stop between words instead of linking or blending the sounds together. This creates speech that sounds very choppy and accented to American listeners.

If you can use linking when you are speaking with Americans your accent will improve and people will understand you more easily!