Speech Work: Distinguishing /ʧ/ and /∫/ - JSS2 English language Lesson Note

Speech Work: Distinguishing /ʧ/ and /∫/

The sounds /ʧ/ and /∫/ are both voiceless consonants, but they are produced differently:

1. /ʧ/: This sound is a voiceless palatal-alveolar affricate. It is represented in English spelling by either <ch> or <tch>. For example, in words like 'church', 'watch', and 'catch'.

2. /∫/: This sound is a voiceless palatal-alveolar fricative. It is represented in English spelling by <sh>. For example, in words like 'ship', 'wish', and 'fish'.

Distinguishing between these two sounds can be challenging for some speakers, especially when these sounds are absent from their first language. Practice and repetition can help in mastering the correct pronunciation of these sounds. It's also helpful to pay attention to the mouth and tongue movements when producing these sounds. For /ʧ/, the tongue tip touches the alveolar ridge and then releases with a puff of air. For /∫/, the tongue is near the alveolar ridge, but there's a continuous airflow without the tongue making a complete contact.