How do you pronounce the word "dog"? - briefly
The word "dog" is pronounced /dɒɡ/ in American English and /dɔːɡ/ in British English.
How do you pronounce the word "dog"? - in detail
The pronunciation of the word "dog" in English is relatively straightforward and follows standard phonetic rules. To accurately pronounce this word, it is essential to understand its phonetic transcription and the sounds involved.
Firstly, let's break down the phonetic transcription of "dog": /dɒɡ/. This transcription provides a clear guide on how each sound should be produced.
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The initial consonant sound is represented by the letter "d". In English, the "d" in "dog" is pronounced as an alveolar stop, which means the tongue touches the roof of the mouth slightly behind the teeth, and then releases a short burst of air. This sound is voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate during its production.
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The vowel sound is represented by the letter "o". In this context, the "o" in "dog" is pronounced as an open-mid back rounded vowel, denoted by the symbol "ɒ". This vowel is produced with the tongue positioned low and towards the back of the mouth, while the lips are rounded.
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The final consonant sound is represented by the letter "g". In the word "dog," the "g" is pronounced as a voiced velar stop. This means the back of the tongue touches the soft palate (velum) at the back of the mouth, and then releases a short burst of air. Unlike the "d" sound, which is produced further forward in the mouth, this "g" sound is produced towards the back.
To summarize, when pronouncing the word "dog," you should:
- Begin with the alveolar stop /d/, ensuring that it is voiced and followed by a short pause before the vowel.
- Produce the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɒ/ with your tongue low and towards the back of your mouth, while rounding your lips.
- End with the voiced velar stop /ɡ/, ensuring that it is distinct from the preceding vowel sound.
By following these phonetic guidelines, you can accurately pronounce the word "dog" in English.