British Vowel Sound Masterclass: Lesson 10: Why do we say ‘work’ with errrr?
Episode description
Why does work sound like werrrk when it’s spelled with an o? In this episode, we unpack one of the most confusing features of British pronunciation: the /ɜː/ sound. With clear explanations, grouped practice words, minimal pairs, and tongue twisters, this lesson will help you stop trusting the spelling and start trusting the R.
Practice Transcript:
Spelled with 'e': her, term, serve, early, person, learn
With 'o': work, word, world, worth, worse, worm, worst, worthwhile, attorney
With 'i': bird, first, girl, shirt
With 'u': nurse, turn, burn, church
Practice 2:
her, bird, nurse, work
term, girl, turn, word
serve, first, burn, world
early, shirt, church, worth
person, bird, nurse, worse
learn, girl, turn, worm
person, girl, nurse, word
Minimal pairs:
Word - ward, work - walk, world - wall, worse - wars, worth - north, worm - warn
Tongue Twisters:
I like to walk to work in warm weather.
The worm on the war ship worships workplaces
The early bird turns and learns to work.
Were the worst words worth the work?
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