Learn how to pronounce the words METER, CENTIMETER, MILLIMETER, THERMOMETER, SPEEDOMETER with this American English Pronunciation Lesson.
Definitions:
METER is a unit of length (equivalent to approximately 39.37 inches)
CENTIMETER a metric unit of length, equal to one hundredth of a meter
MILLIMETER is one thousandth of a meter
THERMOMETER is an instrument for measuring and indicating temperature
SPEEDOMETER is an instrument on a vehicle’s dashboard indicating its speed
Pronunciation:
METER /midər/
CENTIMETER /sɛntəˌmitər/
MILLIMETER /mɪləˌmitər/
THERMOMETER /θərˈmɑmətər/
SPEEDOMETER /spiˈdɑmətər/
Most of the time, when a suffix is added to a root word, the syllable stress remains the same. However, there are some suffixes that impose stress, OMETER does this and the stress changes.
Improve your accent and speak clearly with this ESL English pronunciation lesson. Learn how to pronounce English words correctly with Jennifer Tarle from Tarle Speech and Language. Lessons guide you through a quick pronunciation lesson with practice examples. Learn quick tips to have you sounding clearer in no time. Reduce your accent, gain confidence, and speak clearly today!
Transcript:
Hi there! Jennifer from Tarle speech with your pronunciation question.
Our question today is how do I pronounce the word meter and a meter is a unit of length.
To pronounce this word we are going to think of two beats me and der.
Let’s start with that me. Put your lips together for that m air moves out of your nose then smile and your tongue will be high and flat in your mouth for that long e me.
Now for the der. This is actually a flap t which I like to teach as a really fast d. And to do that you’re going to touch the tip of your tongue to the top of your mouth super fast. Almost to your front teeth but a little bit further back, kind of where your skin just starts the roof of your mouth.
Then you’re going to end with that er. To do this square tense lips your tongue is either pointing down or flipped back. But the back needs to be pulled high up and it needs to stay there and be stable. Tip of your tongue is not moving. Again it is pointed down or flipped back. We don’t want that tongue to be moving.
Let’s put that together me der.
Now when we add a prefix to this word, the word meter is going to stay the same and we can add centa meter or milli meter. The tip for you here is is that we are going to use that schwa syllable in that word. So you’re going to have sent a meter centimeter and mill a meter millimeter. So we have again meter centimeter and millimeter.
Now what about this? What about when we have a suffix with meter in it? when we have a suffix with meter in it what is happening is we are going to pronounce that differently because the stress changes. So when we add the ometer to a word we are always going to stress that om part. Add the schwa uh and then end with a der.
So let’s give that a try. We have thermometer and speedometer. So we have thur mom udder and sped ometer so
thurmometer
spedometer
thermometer thermometer thermometer
speedometer speedometer speedometer
Let’s flip back and try these words again so you can hear the difference. We have meter centimeter and millimeter
Now we’re going to change the stress for the ometer suffix which is the ending for words like thermometer and speedometer. So I hope you found this tip helpful.
Give it a try I know people are going to notice the difference and if you found this helpful please share us with your friends. Thank you for all of your likes and your shares and we look forward to seeing you next week thanks everyone have a great week!