Transcript
Let’s try to say that R soft. That was still hard R. But, that’s fine. That’s where we are today. When making your R sound there is two ways to ‘pronounce’ it. Let’s try this soft R approach and take out the R. Try not to say it so much. Soft r we will write with the (phonetic symbol /r/). I’m writing it so you know the difference. The upper case is for Hard R. I would like to do is just the same word or phrase. So we say R and were going and we can say over and over in the word /red/ which is a hard Consonant R. But the word ‘car’ has a soft ‘ar’ /car/.
So we determine how much R sound. We determine it by feeling tension. This is a hard (tense) tongue position. Notice your tongue muscle is going to tense up on the words.
/Rural/. Say /Red/. Now let’s say it and this time we leave off the R. We can put a little slash mark (/) through the letter. This is a reminder to not say it. You shortened the pronunciation of that word but it is not the same thing as ‘softening r’ with this so called coloration of R.
We have R coloring in varying degrees of R. It’s like looking at a Picasso painting and he puts a little bit of red in the painting. Maybe the feather in a woman’s hair. That accentuates the painting and it leaps off the canvas. The rendition has come to live. That’s simply the way R-coloration is when the R has a lighter texture. A lot of spice we can put a lot of red, or with the standard American R, its soft. Keeping the British pronunciation of ‘R’ omitted.
How to Pronounce the ‘R’ Sound in American English
The American R sound is one of the most challenging sounds for English language learners. American English R is not a trill (rolled, so it doesn’t touch the hard palate (roof of the mouth).
This guide shows you exactly how to produce the R sound correctly.
What Is the American R Sound?
- Phonetic symbol: /r/
- It is a voiced sound
- Air flows is continuous with vibration
Step-by-Step: How to Make the American R Sound
1. Tongue Position (Primary Importance)
- Relax the Jaw and lift the your tongue
- Raise the tongue up and back slightly
- The tip of the tongue is free, the sides of the tongue are curled
and pressing up against the upper teeth
This tongue position:
- Flexed (retroflex R) tongue tip slightly raised
2. Lip Position
- Neutral / Slightly rounded
- Relaxed/ slightly puckered – reaching forward
3. Jaw Position
- Jaw relaxed and half open (sagging)
- Exhaling a steady stream of air
Self-Pronouncing Test
Say ‘ah + r‘
Now slowly lift the tongue and round your lips
→ Glide into R sound; (repeat are, are, are…)
Common (R) Pronunciation Mistakes
| R Type | Tongue Position | Secondary Articulators |
|---|---|---|
| Hard R | Tongue too tense | Lower and relax |
| Soft r | Tongue too low | Lift tongue higher |
Practice words – Where do you find Consonant R?
Initial Position R
- red
- right
- road
Middle Position R
- very
- carry
- boring
Important Tip for Learners
The American standard R is not too much and not too little r sound.
American English speakers use hard and soft r positions: depending on the region of the U.S. and internationally.
Want Help Fixing Your R Sound?
Speak-Well provides American accent reduction training with live feedback and custom material for targeted pronunciation practice.
