This episode I’m chatting with Heather.   Heather is originally from Scotland, and is a content writer and editor.  We were online, so you might hear some odd sounds and bits that aren’t so clear. 

We chatted about becoming Americanised, simplifying language to read online, and tricky grammar points … but I started by asking Heather to tell me a little about herself…

INTERVIEW

Great advice from Heather – try children’s book or young adult books to improve your reading skills, and make friends with native English speakers – it’s always nice to make new friends!

To Heather’s tricky grammar point – do you have to do something or must you do something?  They are both modal verbs that represent obligation but what’s the difference?  An easy way to think about this is where does the obligation come from?  Is it your personal belief – an interior obligation?  Or is it an obligation from the law, the police, your company, your school, your university – an exterior obligation?  

If it’s interior – think MUST.  I must wash my clothes! 
If it’s exterior – think HAVE TO.  I have to wear special clothes to work.  

So – this episode’s pronunciation tip is linked to the differences between UK and US English.   Sometimes, it’s difficult to know how to pronounce words in English because accents can be so different – Heather’s example of Tomato – Tomato is one of millions!  So, I have 3 more examples of typical words with different pronunciation that tend to stay different:

First – a way of announcing or promoting a service or a product:  

UK English = Ad – VER – tis – ment 

US English = AD – ver – tise – ment 

Next – A herb we typically put on top of a pizza:

UK English = o – re – GA – no 

US English = o – RE – ga – no 

Finally – something made of glass or ceramics that holds flowers:

UK English = vase / a: /

UJ English = vase / eI / 

You can choose which version is best for you but remember - articulation, making your words clear, is more important than a UK or US accent...  Over to you to practice!

So there we are!  The transcript of this episode is available to read on the podcast’s webpage, so take a look!  

 Join me next time for more pronunciation tips, more advice and, most importantly, more chatting!

My thanks again to Heather and, for her music, a massive thanks to the wonderful Mara Carlyle.   Bye for now!