Speak English like a North American: 4 Pronunciation Rules for the Letter T

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. My name's Ronnie, and I have a bottle of water. What? So, sometimes when I go to a restaurant and I order water, people don't understand me. I'm in Canada, I'm speaking English, and I said: "Water", and they look at me strange. And I go: -"Oh, you know? Water?" -"Oh, water. Yes, water." -"No, no. It's water." It's a t, right? W-a-t-e-r. This, in Canada, we call a bottle of water. And I go: "Oh, that's really crazy because it's a bottle of water."

Now, I get called out all the time on having an accent. Everyone has an accent. You have an accent, depending on where you're from. Everyone has an accent. So, first of all, I hate people who go: -"Oh, I don't got an accent." -"Oh, mister, you have an accent. Okay?" Everyone has an accent, and I'm going to teach you how to improve yours or damaged English-I don't know-to speak with an American/Canadian accent. Oh my god. Where's this going?

So, I'm going to teach you a trick, and the trick is about the "t". I am very excited about this because I've been thinking about this for, oh, maybe ten years. Why do Canadians and Americans say "d"? It's a "t". I found the reason, and I'm going to teach you. Let's have some water, shall we?

We have three... four. I'm good at counting, again. We have four rules. Okay? So, the "t" pronunciation. Sometimes, as I told you, we actually say the "t" like a "d". So, this is the rule. Rule number one: If it's between... If the "t" is between two vowel sounds. So, check this out. This "i" is a vowel, and "y"-sneaky bugger-sometimes is a vowel, but it's a vowel sound. So, we don't say: "ability" in Canadian and American English; we say: "abilidy". That's really strange, people. Canadians, Americans, maybe you were drunk or cold when you were doing this. I'm not too sure, but just nonsensical, really.

We don't say: "computer", as we should; we say: "compuder". Hey, look at that computer, eh? So Canadian to say "eh" at the end. So, again, between two vowels-"u" and "e" are vowels-we're going to pronounce it like: "compuder". This is crazy.

The next one, as I said in the beginning: "water". "a", "e" are vowels, and it's going to be said like: "wader". When I was in Jamaica, they said: "wata", and I was like: "Yes! Good. Got it." Again, so what I've done to help you-you're welcome-is I've just underlined the vowel. So, "a", "e"; "e", "e"; "er", "er", "er", "er". And again, this one, watch out: "i" and "y". "y" is a vowel sound.

So, all of these guys, magically, you're going to go from speaking your language to speaking Canadian and American English with the crazy accent, because we say: "header". The thing that keeps you warm... Canada's cold in the winter. We don't say: "heater"; we say: "header". And this is even more confusing now, because it looks like "header", but it's actually this pronunciation: "heeder". Turn on the heater, eh? It's cold.

This word, if you say it... Not "better" in my books. If you say it with a Canadian/American pronunciation; crazy way; we say: "bedder". Then we say: "madder". And then, even though we went to "university", we say: "universidy". Eh? You following? I don't know why it's crazy. Just say the "t" or write the "d".

The other rule with the "t" sounding like a "d" is if it's between a vowel and an "l" or an "r". So, as I said in the beginning... I can't even say it. "Bottle". It's not a bottle, Ronnie. So, if it's between an "o" and an "l", it's going to be said like a "d", so we say: "boddle". This is my vowel "a", and this is an "l".

We don't say: "battle"; we say: "baddle". Into battle, soldiers. One of Ronnie's favourite words: "dirty". So, we don't say "dirty" because we have an "r" and a vowel sound. So, this is the example of a vowel and an "l"; this is the example of a vowel and an "r". Okay? So, a vowel and "l"; a vowel and "r". With our numbers, again, we have a vowel and an "r", so these ones are going to sound like a "d". So, we're going to say: "dirdy", "fordy", and "thirdy".

Have you turned thirty yet? As a joke, we like to say... Or some people like to say: "It's my dirty 30." We won't go into detail with that. About that. I will let your imaginations run wild on that one. And just make sure you say: "dirdy" because no one is going to understand you if you say "dirty". You're a dirty, wee cow. […]

[juanfernandoalzate-aguiler]

I just realised that Ronnie has been teaching English on Youtube for 10 years. She started in February 2009. Ronnie: I want to say thank you for all the effort you have put in making these videos. Please, please, keep uploading new videos. Greetings from Colombia.

[HumorSapiens]

Now I really like the way she teaches English. It is very practical.

[CaioSilvaSantos]

It’s so amazing how you’re able to make non native English speakers get the message. It’s knowledge + empathy. Thank you! 🙏🏾

[HerculanoBando]

Finally I found the "T Rules" for AmE (American English). Just a couple of weeks of hard working and I'll be speaking as a native (US). Thanks Ronnie for uncover them.

[jdrodriguez]

I'm an English teacher and I love watching your videos. YOU are my real mentor. Thank you so much!

[khalishaoyiza]

Going through your channel, it's been 13 years of awesomeness, your teachings are amazing. I don't understand why am just seeing this channel for the first time, okay I'll just assume am new on YouTube in order not to beat myself too much. Thank you so much

[mauronaranjo]

For us, who speak spanish, when the "t" is between the vowels like Ability, computer, etc; we don't have to replace the "t" soud for a "d", but we must have to replace it for an "r" sound in spanish :), But Ronnie, thank you for your tips. Your videos really help me to improve my english.

[sandragarnik]

Ronnie, I've been living with my Canadian husband for 4 years. I am Colombian and just now, with this lesson, I can be clear about his pronunciation. I was trying to figure out between the R or D with the T. It is crazy, ins't it?

[sweydigaming]

I've never written a comment on youtube before but at this moment I decide to tell you, thank you very much.
I am preparing for my TOEFL test this year, and I realized that you always teach us the common English student mistakes and please keep do it for us we really need it, thank you and thank you. from Mauritania

[isaacguedes]

One of the best teacher I've ever seen in my life! Thank you for your help, Ronnie! You're a lovely person.

[RealEverydayEnglish]

Great video !

As a native English speaker who is also learning a foreign language, I too have been inspired to start creating content on YouTube to help people with their English.

I wish you continued success on your channel!

[arielsarino]

Hi Ronnie! Just came upon your channel. As a native English speaker (American US) I didn't realize all these subconscious rules regarding the letter T. I just want to make an observation though when the T is at the end of a word, as in your example of Hat and Mat. The T is actually pronounced, but very quietly to the point of sounding silent. That's my perception, at least. Here, the T at the end of "least " can be silent altogether, depending on one's variation of his or her accent (I just used several word examples right now without realizing at first!). I respect your video content. Keep it up!

[lrlizribeiro]

7:40 I'm just glad I'm not the only one who finds it hard to understand sometimes when people say can/can't. I'm relieved to know that even native speakers may have the same difficulty.

[AutisticMelon]

You're the most chill teacher and it's really enjoyable to learn from you 👌🏻

[papateachme]

Finally the American version of the T rules!! :) This is awesome!! Having said that... I was waiting for your Cockney impression of "Bo''l o wa'er" :(

[Ave]

Thanks for this instructions. I was confusing with these pronunciation water, better.... with sound d when first came to America well before internet time. We are now very luck to learn everything on YouTube.

[valmealvarezvalera]

Ronnie, I have a huge problem with T pronunciation. I am Spanish and I used to live in England and learned British pronunciation. Now I live in the US and I am studying for the TOEFL, and relearning this pronunciation is so hard!! In some words I can do the American sound, but in others it is impossible, it doesn't come naturally. People here look at me like I don't know how to speak and most of the people find my accent very strange LOL.Thanks for this video :)

[city]

hi Ronnie, you funny and authentic teacher😂
the "t" needs a new regulation, or a new revolution in the grammar of english-language. the poor t's they want to be also included in the pronunciations. too pity that they get avoided, Ronnie 🤔. i think that, as an english-learner, sentences with "t's" sound more grounded, solidified, serious, sharp and clear. if we, with respect, drop all these beautiful "t's", it would sound so wobbly. don't you think
a language should sounds clear and pure in order to be understandable?
with respect, Ronnie, thank you for this beautiful lesson🤓

[LuliBrazil]

The T = D for me (Brazilian) it sounds like R.

[teresamelendez]

Ronnie you are the best English teacher in the entire world. Thank you so much.🙏🏽❤️