My phonetic log

[MorkTheFiddle]

Keep practicing. Each recording is better than the one before. Well done and keep it up.

Note that there is a spelling error in the text you are using.

5. Coolies are made from juicy fruits and sugar.

should read

5. Cookies are made

etc.

[SophiaMerlin_II]

Keep practicing. Each recording is better than the one before. Well done and keep it up.

Note that there is a spelling error in the text you are using.

5. Coolies are made from juicy fruits and sugar.

should read

5. Cookies are made

etc.

Mork, think about that for a second. Have you ever made COOKIES from juicy fruits and sugar?

For your reference, this is a "coolie" http://www.kitchenkonfidence.com/2010/07/cherry-coulis

[tarvos]

I haven't had the time to listen to your recordings yet, but I promise I'll get to it tomorrow so I can give you more detailed feedback on your pronunciation. Is that all right with you?

[Ольга]

I haven't had the time to listen to your recordings yet, but I promise I'll get to it tomorrow so I can give you more detailed feedback on your pronunciation. Is that all right with you?

Of course

[tarvos]

There are a couple of definitely Russian problems with your pronunciation. The problem isn't so much with the particular "a" sound you are producing (although you flatten it a lot in "glass" which is not necessary, unless you're aiming for the US accent.) Most of your accent sounds very flat, and it's because you're not doing a couple things all English speakers do:

- You have to really reduce the vowels in unstressed positions. Barbara doesn't sound like Bar-ba-ah, but it sounds more like Barburuh. I'm getting the feeling your problem is not with vowels in stressed positions but rather what happens to them in unstressed positions.

- Your consonants are not breathy enough. In a word like "heart", you really spit out the t, whereas English people kind of pronounce consonants more softly and the consonants are not dental but alveolar (put your tongue more towards the back of your mouth).

- Diphthongs such as "oy" have an off-glide and don't end abruptly. You say it with a flat, monotone intonation, whereas the sound should be nice and flowing.

- Consonants such as ch and g in charge are way too heavy-handed with the tongue. You make it sound crushing, whereas English is much more hissy and breathy. Let out more air, don't curl back your tongue so much and relax your mouth. I'm going to give an example of the A3 text for you later (note that my accent is a little different)

[tarvos]

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0tzjgXBrgod

Have a listen and see if you can hear the difference between what I do and what you do. (Note that I do clearly pronounce my t's, unlike a lot of Americans... I don't know why I do this)

[Ольга]

[Ольга]

There are a couple of definitely Russian problems with your pronunciation. The problem isn't so much with the particular "a" sound you are producing (although you flatten it a lot in "glass" which is not necessary, unless you're aiming for the US accent.) Most of your accent sounds very flat, and it's because you're not doing a couple things all English speakers do:

- You have to really reduce the vowels in unstressed positions. Barbara doesn't sound like Bar-ba-ah, but it sounds more like Barburuh. I'm getting the feeling your problem is not with vowels in stressed positions but rather what happens to them in unstressed positions.

- Your consonants are not breathy enough. In a word like "heart", you really spit out the t, whereas English people kind of pronounce consonants more softly and the consonants are not dental but alveolar (put your tongue more towards the back of your mouth).

- Diphthongs such as "oy" have an off-glide and don't end abruptly. You say it with a flat, monotone intonation, whereas the sound should be nice and flowing.

- Consonants such as ch and g in charge are way too heavy-handed with the tongue. You make it sound crushing, whereas English is much more hissy and breathy. Let out more air, don't curl back your tongue so much and relax your mouth. I'm going to give an example of the A3 text for you later (note that my accent is a little different)

Thank you! I have prepared my new video before seeing your answer, that's why this new attempt, probably, without any improving.

[SophiaMerlin_II]

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0tzjgXBrgod

Have a listen and see if you can hear the difference between what I do and what you do. (Note that I do clearly pronounce my t's, unlike a lot of Americans... I don't know why I do this)

I don't know if it's my computer or what, but my computer/background noise on the mic made my ears bleed a little bit.

[smallwhite]

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0tzjgXBrgod

Have a listen and see if you can hear the difference between what I do and what you do. (Note that I do clearly pronounce my t's, unlike a lot of Americans... I don't know why I do this)

I don't know if it's my computer or what, but my computer/background noise on the mic made my ears bleed a little bit.

Thanks for the warning!

I think Olga has audio to her book.