Glides: /w/, /j/
Glides: /w/ and /j/
Glides are consonants that are produced with a smooth transition from one vowel sound to another. They are often referred to as “semivowels” because they share characteristics of both vowels and consonants.
/w/
- Pronunciation: The /w/ sound is produced by rounding the lips and gliding from a /u/ vowel to another vowel.
- Examples: “wet”, “win”, “want”
/j/
- Pronunciation: The /j/ sound is produced by raising the front of the tongue toward the hard palate and gliding from an /i/ vowel to another vowel.
- Examples: “yet”, “you”, “yellow”
Key points to remember:
- Smooth transition: Glides involve a smooth transition from one vowel sound to another.
- Semivowels: They share characteristics of both vowels and consonants.
- Place of articulation: /w/ is produced with rounded lips, while /j/ is produced with the front of the tongue raised.
Practice:
- Repeat each glide sound several times, focusing on the smooth transition from one vowel to another.
- Try to identify the glide sounds in words.
- Practice saying words that contain glides.
- Syllabus for Pronunciation of English Language