Learn How to Pronounce special
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How to pronounce:
special
Definition:
(nou) a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising (nou) a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant (nou) a television production that features a particular person or work or topic
Phonetic Transcription:
ˈspeʃəl
Examples:
A special sticker is on the speedometer.
The color of this salmon is special.
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Common mistakes of special pronunciation
- Misplacing the stress: Some learners stress the second syllable, pronouncing it as "spe-ˈcial". This is incorrect. The correct stress is on the first syllable: ˈspɛʃ. Tip: Remember to emphasize the "spe" when saying "special".
- Overpronouncing the "c": Some may pronounce the "c" as a hard "k" sound, leading to "spe-kial". This is incorrect. The "c" should sound like "sh" as in "shoes": ˈspɛʃ. Tip: Focus on the "sh" sound to avoid confusion.
- Dropping the vowel sound: A common mistake is omitting the vowel in the second syllable, saying "spe-shl". This loses clarity. The correct pronunciation includes the vowel: ˈspɛʃ. Tip: Make sure to articulate the "i" in "special" clearly.
- Confusing with similar words: Some confuse "special" with "species", pronouncing it as "ˈspiːʃəl". This is incorrect. "Special" has a different vowel sound. Tip: Practice by contrasting "special" with "species" to highlight the differences in pronunciation.
- Incorrectly pronouncing the final "l": Some learners may pronounce the final "l" too strongly, sounding like "spe-shal". The correct pronunciation is softer: ˈspɛʃəl. Tip: Keep the "l" light and subtle to maintain the word's natural flow.