What is connected speech and why is it important in English language teaching?

Connected speech refers to the way words are joined and modified when spoken fluently in complete sentences or phrases. Instead of pronouncing each word in isolation and precisely, words tend to flow together, and certain sounds may be changed or eliminated, making the rhythm of speech faster and more natural. This phenomenon is critical in languages such as English, where native speakers rarely pronounce words as they would in a list or individually.

Characteristics of connected speech:

1. Elision: Some sounds disappear in fast speech. For example, in “island”, el sonido /s/ se omite, pronunciándose como /ˈaɪ.lənd/.
2. Enlace o Linking: Las palabras se conectan, especialmente cuando una palabra termina con el sonido de una consonante y la siguiente comienza con el sonido de una vocal. Por ejemplo, “this letter”.
3. Assimilation: A sound changes to sound more like the one that follows it. For example, in “don’t be”, the /t/ in “don’t” may sound more like /m/ if the following word begins with a bilabial sound such as /b/.
4. Reduction or contraction: Words or syllables are reduced or pronounced weaker. A common example is “going to”, that becomes “gonna”.

Why is it important in language teaching?

It is not too long ago that connected speech began to be taken into account in language learning and even today it is not yet present in many English teaching programs. However, it is very important both to speak better and to understand when we are spoken to.

The challenge for speakers of English as a second language is to understand native speakers. Especially, in the 21st century where the barriers between countries have faded and we communicate much more frequently with people from the other side of the world, and therefore with different accents. 

Por todo eso creemos que es importante incluirlo en los programas. Para solicitar información sobre cursos, escribínos por e-mail or call us at 1539450205.

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