SPEECH WORK: Consonant Contrast/ð/, /d/ and /z/ - JSS3 English language Lesson Note

SPEECH WORK: Consonant Contrast/ð/, /d/ and /z/

Let’s delve into the consonant contrasts involving the sounds /ð/, /d/, and /z/. These sounds are all voiced,

Introduction to Consonant Sounds

In English, consonant sounds are essential components of speech that differentiate words and meanings. Understanding and correctly pronouncing the consonant sounds /ð/, /d/, and /z/ is crucial for clear communication. These sounds are distinct and can be found in various positions within words.

The Consonant Sound /ð/ 

Phonetic Symbol: /ð/

Description: Voiced dental fricative. This sound is produced by placing the tongue against the upper teeth and allowing the vocal cords to vibrate as air passes through.

Common Spellings: "th"

Examples:

Initial Position: this, that, though

Medial Position: mother, brother, other

Final Position: breathe, teethe, bathe

The Consonant Sound /d/

Phonetic Symbol: /d/

Description: Voiced alveolar plosive. This sound is produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge (just behind the upper front teeth), blocking the airflow, and then releasing it while vibrating the vocal cords.

Common Spellings: "d"

Examples:

Initial Position: dog, door, day

Medial Position: ladder, buddy, middle

Final Position: bed, red, had

 

The Consonant Sound /z/

 

Phonetic Symbol: /z/

Description: Voiced alveolar fricative. This sound is produced by placing the tongue close to the alveolar ridge and allowing the vocal cords to vibrate as air passes through the narrow gap.

Common Spellings: "z", "s" (in some cases)

Examples:

Initial Position: zoo, zipper, zero

Medial Position: busy, crazy, easy

Final Position: has, buzz, nose

 

Comparison and Practice

 

/ð/ vs. /d/:

/ð/ is a fricative sound made with the tongue against the teeth, whereas /d/ is a plosive sound made with the tongue against the alveolar ridge.

Practice pairs: 

/ð/ and /d/: then - den, this - diss, though - doe

Sentences: 

/ð/: This is the thing that they thought.

/d/: The dog dug a deep hole in the yard.

 

/ð/ vs. /z/:

/ð/ is a dental fricative, while /z/ is an alveolar fricative.

Practice pairs:

  - **/ð/** and **/z/**: these - z's, that - zap, teeth - tease

  Sentences:

    - **/ð/**: They thought that those things were theirs.

    - **/z/**: The zoo has zebras and lazy lions.

 

/d/ vs. /z/:

/d/ is a plosive sound, and /z/ is a fricative sound, both made at the alveolar ridge.

Practice pairs:

  - **/d/** and **/z/**: do - zoo, dive - zive (not a real word, but for practice), den - zen

  - Sentences:

    - **/d/**: Dogs dig deep holes.

    - **/z/**: Zebras are zany animals.

Practice Exercises

Minimal Pairs:

 /ð/ vs. /d/: Write and practice saying minimal pairs such as "then/den", "there/dare", "those/dose".

  /ð/ vs. /z/: Write and practise minimal pairs such as "those/zoes", "there/zare", "these/zees".

  /d/ vs. /z/: Write and practise minimal pairs such as "do/zoo", "daze/zees", "deck/zeck".

Sentence Practice:

   - Create sentences using words with /ð/, /d/, and /z/ and practise reading them aloud.

   - Example Sentences:

     - /ð/: "The mother and father went together."

     - /d/: "David decided to dive into the deep pool."

     - /z/: "The lazy zebra zigzagged across the zoo."

 

Listening Practice:

   - Listen to recordings or use language learning apps to hear the correct pronunciation of these sounds.

   - Repeat after native speakers to improve accuracy.

 

Summary

Understanding and correctly pronouncing the consonant sounds /ð/, /d/, and /z/ is essential for clear communication in English. By practicing minimal pairs, sentences, and listening exercises, students can improve their pronunciation and differentiate these important sounds effectively.