Chapter 6 of 9

🗣️ Pronunciation & Fluency

4 min+15 XP

Singapore students often face specific pronunciation challenges due to mother tongue influence. Here are the most common patterns to be aware of. Don't stress -- with a bit of practice, you can nail these!

TH-Sounds (Voiceless /th/ and Voiced /th/)

Many Singapore students replace "th" with "t", "d", or "f" due to the absence of this sound in Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. The tongue must be placed between the teeth.

think❌ tink→✅ think (tongue between teeth)

three❌ tree→✅ three (tongue tip visible)

this❌ dis→✅ this (voiced, tongue between teeth)

that❌ dat→✅ that (voiced th)

furthermore❌ fur-der-more→✅ fur-thuh-more

although❌ all-doh→✅ awl-thoh

Word-Final Consonants (Consonant Deletion)

Singapore English often drops final consonants, especially "t", "d", "k", and "p" at the end of words. In Standard English, these final sounds must be clearly articulated.

helped❌ hel→✅ helpt (release the final "t")

asked❌ ah-s→✅ ahskt (final "kt" cluster)

just❌ jus→✅ just (release the final "t")

product❌ pro-duh→✅ PROD-ukt (clear final "kt")

strict❌ stri→✅ strikt (clear final "kt")

caused❌ kors→✅ kawzd (voiced final "d")

Vowel Distinctions (Long vs Short Vowels)

Singapore English tends to merge long and short vowel sounds. Distinguishing between them is important for clarity and to avoid confusion between different words.

sheet / shit❌ both sound like "sheet"→✅ sheet (long /ee/) vs shit (short /i/)

leave / live❌ both sound like "leev"→✅ leave (long /ee/) vs live (short /i/)

pool / pull❌ both sound like "pool"→✅ pool (long /oo/) vs pull (short /u/)

cart / cut❌ both sound like "kut"→✅ cart (long /ah/) vs cut (short /uh/)

bird / bed❌ both may sound similar→✅ bird (central /er/) vs bed (front /e/)

Word Stress Patterns

Singapore English tends toward syllable-timed rhythm where each syllable gets equal stress. Standard English is stress-timed, where certain syllables are emphasised and others are reduced.

development❌ de-VE-lop-ment (equal stress)→✅ dih-VEL-up-munt (2nd syllable stressed)

government❌ go-VERN-ment→✅ GUV-un-munt (1st syllable stressed)

photography❌ fo-to-GRA-fee→✅ fuh-TOG-ruh-fee (2nd syllable stressed)

interesting❌ in-ter-RES-ting→✅ IN-tris-ting (1st syllable, 3 syllables)

necessary❌ ne-CES-sa-ry→✅ NES-uh-ser-ee (1st syllable stressed)

Consonant Clusters

Groups of consonants at the beginning or end of words are often simplified in Singapore English. Standard English requires all consonants in a cluster to be pronounced.

strengths❌ strens→✅ strengths (all consonants sounded)

twelfths❌ twels→✅ twelfths (maintain "fths" cluster)

texts❌ tex→✅ teksts (final "ksts" cluster)

crisps❌ kris→✅ krisps (final "sps" cluster)

world❌ wor→✅ wurld (clear "rld" ending)

Sentence Intonation

Singapore English often uses a rising intonation at the end of statements, making them sound like questions. Standard English uses falling intonation for statements and rising intonation only for yes/no questions.

I think this is important.❌ Rising tone at the end (sounds like a question)→✅ Falling tone at "important" (statement)

Singapore is a multicultural society.❌ Rising tone at "society"→✅ Falling tone at "society" (declarative)

We should take action now.❌ Rising tone at "now"→✅ Falling tone at "now" (firm statement)

Do you agree with this policy?❌ May sound flat→✅ Rising tone at "policy" (question)

Commonly Mispronounced Words

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determine

❌ dee-TER-mine

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comfortable

❌ com-FOR-ta-ble

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environment

❌ en-VI-ron-ment

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development

❌ de-VE-lop-ment

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particularly

❌ par-ti-CU-lar-lee

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vulnerable

❌ vul-NER-a-ble

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Word	❌ Wrong	✅ Correct	Tip
determine	dee-TER-mine	dih-TUR-min	The last syllable is "-min", not "-mine". Do not rhyme it with "mine".
comfortable	com-FOR-ta-ble	KUMF-ter-bul	Only 3 syllables in natural speech. The "or" is reduced to a schwa sound.
environment	en-VI-ron-ment	en-VY-run-munt	Stress falls on the second syllable. Do not drop the "n" before "ment".
development	de-VE-lop-ment	dih-VEL-up-munt	Stress on the second syllable. The "o" in "-lop-" becomes a schwa.
particularly	par-ti-CU-lar-lee	par-TIK-yoo-lar-lee	Five syllables. Stress on the second syllable "-TIC-".
vulnerable	vul-NER-a-ble	VUL-nuh-ruh-bul	Stress on the first syllable. Many SG students stress the second syllable incorrectly.
society	so-SIGH-tee	suh-SY-uh-tee	Four syllables. The "ci" makes a "sy" sound, not "sigh".
certificate	cer-ti-fi-KATE	sur-TIF-ih-kut	The ending is "-kut", not "-kate". Four syllables with stress on the second.

🤓Did You Know?

Every Singaporean Can Relate!

Don't worry if you have a Singaporean accent -- the examiners do too! They're not looking for a British or American accent. They want clear pronunciation and natural fluency. Focus on being understood, not on sounding like a Hollywood actor!

🗣️Key Takeaway

You don't need a perfect accent -- examiners want CLEAR pronunciation and NATURAL fluency. Focus on final consonants, 'th' sounds, and word stress.