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