The word 'mountain', 'sentence', and other similar words.

I've had a few requests for words where we have the t, schwa, and n sound.

For example the word 'mountain', or the word 'curtain'. First, let's take a look at the word 'mountain'.

So here, the t is coming after the n, and before a schwa. Normally, when the t is in a consonant cluster, like 'mount'.

We would say a true t. But often, when it follows the n, we actually...

Leave it out altogether, like in the word 'center'. 'Center'. I say no t there.

But this is an exception. When we have the t sound, the schwa sound, and the n sound.

Most native speakers will make that t a stop t. So rather than 'mountain', with a true t...

We get mountain, mount-n. Do you hear the stop?

So, to make this word, my tongue is coming to the roof of the mouth for the n.

Mount-n. Then I just leave it there. I stop the flow of air with my throat.

To make the stop t, mount-n, then I release and let it go again into the...

Schwa-n sound.

Mountain. [3x]

Let's take a look at the word 'curtain'. Now here the t comes after an r and before a vowel sound, the schwa.

So normally, that would be a flap t, like in the word 'party'.

But again, because we have a t-schwa-n sound, it's an exception. So, it's a stop t. Curt-n.

Cur-tain. So, to make this word, my tongue is going from the r, pulled back, cur-.

To a position where the front part of the tongue is touching the roof of the mouth. Then again...

I cut off the airflow here to signify the Stop t. Cur-tain. Then I don't need to move my tongue.

It's already in position for the schwa-n sound. 'Curtain'.

The word 'sentence' doesn't end with a t-schwa-n sound, but it's the same rule.

Because we have those three sounds together, many people will say sen-tence, making a stop t there.

So again, my tongue is already in the right position because it came up for the first n.

Sen-tence. So, I just cut off the airflow, and then jump right back into the schwa-n sound.

One final example, the word 'cotton'. So here, the t is coming between two vowel sounds.

Normally, that would be a flap, like in the word 'cutting'. There, it's a flap t where...

The tongue just bounces against the roof of the mouth and there's no stop of sound.

But in the word 'cotton', it's the t-schwa-n, so we're gonna make that a stop instead.

Cotton. So, my tongue is going up into position for the t, it's the same as the position for the n.

I never move the tongue once it's there. I just cut off the airflow, n.

And then make the n sound.

Other example words with the stop t-schwa-n sound: fountain, kitten, button, written...

Clinton, Manhattan. So don't forget: move your tongue into position for the n, stop the sound.

And then make the n sound. That's how you should pronounce t-schwa-n.

That's it, and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.