Using Flap T to Link Words American English Pronunciation

In this American English Pronunciation Video we are going to go over using a "flap t" to link words. Today we are going to study two different rules of pronunciation to develop one great habit to smooth out your speech. The first rule is that in informal, conversational American English a "t" that comes between vowels, or after an "r" consonant and before a vowel will be pronounced as a "flap t", or just like a "d" between vowels. For example "water" [ˈwɔd əɹ] (/ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/), is not "water" /ˈwɔː.tər/, / tər/, with a true /t/ is "water" (/ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/), /t̬ɚ/, "water" (/ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/). The second rule is linking: In American English we like a very smooth line, with all the words in one thought group connected. When we have a situation where one word ends in a consonant, and the next word begins in a vowel, we can think of the ending consonant, as beginning the next word, to help us link. For example the phrase "on a" [ɑnᴗə], think of the "n" as beginning "ə" [nə], [nə], "on a", "on a", so let's combine these two rules. If we have a word that ends in "rt", or a vowel or diphthong and "t" and the following word that begins with a vowel, we want to use the "t" to connect the two words, and that "t" becomes a "flap t". Let's look at some common examples. "part of" [pɑɹdᴗəv], part of [pɑɹdᴗəv], I want to note here that the "v" can be dropped, and the word "of" can be reduced just to the schwa /ə/. But let's focus on the "t", part of [pɑɹdᴗəv], part of [pɑɹdᴗəv], it's a "flap t", "it's part of the problem". "sort of" [sɔɹd ᴗəv], "sort of" [sɔɹd ᴗəv], again the "v" sound can be dropped, "sort of" [sɔɹd ᴗəv], [d ᴗəv], [d ᴗəv], "flap t". "I'm sort of disapointed". "at a" [ædᴗə], "at a" [ædᴗə], Do you hear the flap t? "at a" [ædᴗə], "at a" [ædᴗə]. It's connecting the two words. "She is at a birthday party". "that I" [ðədᴗaɪ], "that I" [ðədᴗaɪ]. Again, the ending "t" turning into a "flap t", and connecting the two words. "that I" [ðədᴗaɪ], "I thought that I was late". "part of", "sort of", "at a", "that I". These are common phrases. Practice them this way, to make your speech better linked an smoother. Do it any time you have a word ending in "rt", or a vowel/diphthong and "t", followed for a word beginning with vowel or diphthong. It will get you closer to capture the character of American English. Practice your English, record a sentence using "part of", "sort of", or another example, and post it as a video response to this video on YouTube. I can't wait to watch. That's it. And thanks so much for using Rachel's English.