00:00Hi, I'm Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here, I'm going to show you how English is really spoken. It'll help you to become a better listener and a more fluent speaker. You ready? Come on, follow me.
00:21Today, we're going to talk about one of the most important questions in contemporary Britain. The answer will also help you improve your pronunciation.
00:40So, what is this question? Well, it involves one of these and one of these. Quite simply, do you prefer your potatoes steamed or boiled?
01:01What's your preference? Well, this is what the people of London think.
01:10I prefer steamed potatoes.
01:12I prefer boiled potatoes.
01:13I prefer steamed potatoes to boiled potatoes.
01:16I prefer boiled potatoes.
01:18So, there we have it. The nation has spoken. Our completely scientific survey proves that the country is divided 50-50.
01:28But, what about pronunciation?
01:31Well, one of the things that happens when we speak English fluently is that we don't always pronounce all the sounds in every word.
01:40The words steamed and boiled both end in the sound da, don't they?
01:47Or do they?
01:50Watch and listen again. Can you hear the sound da?
01:54I prefer steamed potatoes.
01:56I prefer boiled potatoes.
01:57I prefer steamed potatoes to boiled potatoes.
02:00I prefer boiled potatoes.
02:02It's very difficult to say da when it comes in between two other consonants. Your mouth has to do a lot of work, so in many cases the da is not pronounced.
02:14Boiled potatoes becomes boiled potatoes. And steamed potatoes becomes steamed potatoes. This is called elision. Here are some more examples.
02:29Right, so you've heard the examples and now it's your turn. You know the drill. Listen and repeat.
02:46My best friend let me borrow his car.
02:53Don't hold back. Say what you mean.
02:59His bike rolled down the hill without him.
03:05Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit our website, bbclearningenglish.com.
03:15And that is about it from the pronunciation workshop for now. I'll see you soon. Bye-bye.
03:22Right. Now I better prepare my own potatoes.
03:30Ah!
03:33I just peeled my finger.
03:37Doesn't look good.
