The word 'mountain', 'sentence', and other similar words.

「mountain(山)」和「sentence(句子)」這兩個單字的發音，以及其它類似的單字。

I've had a few requests for words where we have the t, schwa, and n sound.

有些人希望我說明帶有「t」、「schwa(中央母音)」和「n」的單字。

For example the word 'mountain', or the word 'curtain'. First, let's take a look at the word 'mountain'.

例如「mountain(山)」或「curtain(窗簾)」。首先來看「mountain(山)」這個字。

So here, the t is coming after the n, and before a schwa. Normally, when the t is in a consonant cluster, like 'mount'.

這裡「t」的位置在「schwa」前「n」後，一般而言，如果「t」在一群子音裡，像「mount」。

We would say a true t. But often, when it follows the n, we actually...

我們就真的會發「t」的音。但是當它放在「n」後面，其實我們會......

Leave it out altogether, like in the word 'center'. 'Center'. I say no t there.

直接把「t」省略，例如「center(中心)」，「center」唸的時候沒有發t音。

But this is an exception. When we have the t sound, the schwa sound, and the n sound.

但有一個例外。就是當我們有 [t]、[ə] 以及 [n] 這三個發音的時候。

Most native speakers will make that t a stop t. So rather than 'mountain', with a true t...

大多數以英語為母語的人會讓 t 變成停頓點。所以「mountain」裡的 t 發音不是 [t]。

We get mountain, mount-n. Do you hear the stop?

而是念成「mount-n」。你有聽到停頓的地方嗎？

So, to make this word, my tongue is coming to the roof of the mouth for the n.

所以這個要唸這個字，發 n 這個音的時候，我的舌頭會移到上顎。

Mount-n. Then I just leave it there. I stop the flow of air with my throat.

「mount-n」。然後停在這個位置。我用喉嚨阻止氣流。

To make the stop t, mount-n, then I release and let it go again into the...

完成 t 發音的停頓，「mount-n」，接著放鬆喉嚨然後接到......

Schwa-n sound.

[ə]-[n] 的發音。

Mountain. [3x]

Mountain (唸三遍)

Let's take a look at the word 'curtain'. Now here the t comes after an r and before a vowel sound, the schwa.

接下來看「窗簾」這個字。這裡 t 在 r 後面，並在母音 ə 前面。

So normally, that would be a flap t, like in the word 'party'.

所以通常這會形成一個拍動的彈舌 t，例如「party(派對)」。

But again, because we have a t-schwa-n sound, it's an exception. So, it's a stop t. Curt-n.

但同樣的，因為我們有 t-ə-n 的發音，所以是例外。它要發成停頓的 t。Curt-n.

Cur-tain. So, to make this word, my tongue is going from the r, pulled back, cur-.

Cur-tain. 所以要唸這個字，我的舌頭要從 r 往後推發 cur-。

To a position where the front part of the tongue is touching the roof of the mouth. Then again...

讓舌尖移到上顎的位置。然後同樣的......

I cut off the airflow here to signify the Stop t. Cur-tain. Then I don't need to move my tongue.

我阻斷氣流形成停頓的 t。Cur-tain. 接著我不需要移動我的舌頭。

It's already in position for the schwa-n sound. 'Curtain'.

它已經在 ə-n 的發音位置。「窗簾」。

The word 'sentence' doesn't end with a t-schwa-n sound, but it's the same rule.

「sentence(句子)」這個字發音的結尾不是t-ə-n，但它的規則是一樣的。

Because we have those three sounds together, many people will say sen-tence, making a stop t there.

因為這三個音連在一起，很多人會說「sen-tence」，在 t 那裡做一個停頓。

So again, my tongue is already in the right position because it came up for the first n.

同樣的，我的舌頭因為發第一個 n 已經在正確的發音位置上。

Sen-tence. So, I just cut off the airflow, and then jump right back into the schwa-n sound.

Sen-tence. 所以，我只是阻斷氣流，然後立刻接到 ə-n 的發音。

One final example, the word 'cotton'. So here, the t is coming between two vowel sounds.

最後一個例子，「cotton(棉花)」這個字。在這裡，t 夾在兩個母音中間。

Normally, that would be a flap, like in the word 'cutting'. There, it's a flap t where...

通常，這是一個彈舌音，就像「cutting(剪)」這個字。這裡是彈舌 t 的發音。

The tongue just bounces against the roof of the mouth and there's no stop of sound.

舌頭往上顎彈，發音沒有中斷。

But in the word 'cotton', it's the t-schwa-n, so we're gonna make that a stop instead.

但是在「cotton(棉花)」 這個字裡有 t-ə-n 的音，所以我們要停頓。

Cotton. So, my tongue is going up into position for the t, it's the same as the position for the n.

「Cotton(棉花)」。所以，我的舌頭為了發出 t 而往上移，跟 n 位置一樣。

I never move the tongue once it's there. I just cut off the airflow, n.

接著不要移動舌頭的位置。我只是阻斷氣流，發出 n。

And then make the n sound.

然後發出 n 的音。

Other example words with the stop t-schwa-n sound: fountain, kitten, button, written...

其他和停頓 t-ə-n 相同的例子有：fountain(噴泉)、kitten(小貓)、button(按鈕)、written(寫作的過去分詞)......

Clinton, Manhattan. So don't forget: move your tongue into position for the n, stop the sound.

Clinton(克林頓)、Manhattan(曼哈頓)。所以別忘了，將舌頭移到n的位置，中斷發音。

And then make the n sound. That's how you should pronounce t-schwa-n.

然後發n的音，這就是你發t-ə-n的方法。

That's it, and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.

以上，感謝收看 Rachel's English。