Learn How to Pronounce maternal
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How to pronounce:
maternal
Phonetic Transcription:
məˈtɜːnəl
Examples:
The maternal grandmother substitutes the mother in the latter's absence.
A note on the influence of maternal inebriety on the offspring.
His maternal grandfather was the headman of the village.
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How to perfect your pronunciation of: maternal
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Common mistakes of maternal pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "ma-TER-nal" instead of the correct "ma-ˈtɜrnəl" (US) / "mə-ˈtɜː.nəl" (UK). Tip: Focus on emphasizing the first syllable to ensure clarity.
- Vowel sound confusion: Some may pronounce "maternal" with an incorrect vowel sound, saying "ma-TER-nal" with "e" instead of the correct "a" sound. Tip: Practice the "ɜr" sound in the first syllable to achieve accuracy.
- Silent "r": A common mistake is to pronounce the "r" in the second syllable too strongly, leading to "ma-ter-nal" instead of "ma-ˈtɜrnəl" (US) / "mə-ˈtɜː.nəl" (UK). Tip: Lightly touch the "r" to keep the flow smooth.
- Overemphasis on syllables: Some speakers may overly stress each syllable, making "maternal" sound choppy. Tip: Maintain a natural rhythm by smoothly transitioning between syllables, focusing on the primary stress.
- Incorrect vowel length: Learners sometimes pronounce the second syllable as "nal" with a long "a" sound, resulting in "ma-ter-NAAL." Tip: Remember the short "ə" sound in the second syllable to ensure proper pronunciation.