Do you have a little time to study with me?

English with Jennifer

When I said "a little time," I used a flap T.

There's a difference between a true T and a flap T.

Little / "liddle"

Do you hear?

A flap T is used before an unstressed vowel sound.

The '-le' in "little" is unstressed. "Liddle"

The flap T is like a very fast D sound.

But it's not a full D.

It's like a fast D.

A quick tap to the tooth ridge.

That's the hard bump behind the upper front teeth.

You can feel it with the tip of your tongue.

"Liddle"

We use the flap T between words as well

when there's the T and the unstressed vowel sound.

That's why I say, "We got along."

Got / along. "Goddalong."

The A in "along" is unstressed,

so I use the flap T: "goddalong."

Take a look at these examples.

Do you know when I'll use a flap T?

Listen.

I'll talk more about how I changed that "to" to a t' in a later lesson.

Listen to that example again.

Listen closely.

I'll say a sentence.

You try to understand.

That's all for now.

Thanks for watching and happy studies!