Common Pronunciation Traits in Accent Reduction for Individuals Who Speak Korean as Their First Language
Many Korean individuals have immigrated to America. Although many of them speak English fluently, it is common for a native Korean speaker to have an accent when speaking English. Although the degree or severity of accent varies from person to person, focusing on specific sound differences with the help of a licensed speech therapist may help Korean speakers reduce their accents. Learning to speak with less of an accent can aid in obtaining a job, being promoted within a job, and feeling more confident in communicating in English in daily life.
Common Pronunciation Difficulties for Korean Speakers of English
Distinguishing Between /l/ and /r/ Sounds
One of the most common difficulties for Korean speakers of English is the ability to distinguish between /l/ and /r/ sounds, such as in the words “light” and “right”, and therefore, these sounds are often substituted for each other incorrectly. Additionally, an /l/ at the end of words is often omitted, as in the words “ball”, and “mile”.
Other Common Sound Substitutions
Other sound substitutions commonly occurring in Korean speakers’ English are:
- /j/ for /z/ at beginning of words such as “jipper” for “zipper”
- /b/ for /v/ as in “bery” for “very”
- /t/ or /s/ for /th-voiceless/ as in “ting” or “sing” for “thing” and “wiss” for “with”
- /d/ for /th-voiced/ sounds, as in “da” for “the”
Also, words containing /er/ usually are pronounced with a very diminished or absent /r/ sound, such as “bud” for “bird” and “undah” for “under.”
The Short ‘i’ Vowel
The short ‘i’ vowel that occurs in a word such as “bit” is a sound typically replaced by Korean speakers with a long ‘e’ sound. Examples of this are “bit” usually pronounced as “beat”, “will” as “wheel”, and “Tim” as “team”. As one can see, by changing the pronunciation of the vowel, the words take on completely different meanings, which can confuse communication.
Individualized Accent Reduction Course for Individuals Who Speak Korean as their First Language
Through the Accent Reduction course that I teach and consistent practice, many Korean-speaking individuals have improved their communication skills and speak Standard American English with a markedly reduced accent. Learn more about the program here, and contact me with any questions you have!
Visit my Instagram or YouTube page for fun pronunciation exercises!
About Derra Huxley, Speech and Language Pathologist
I am a California-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Los Angeles. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge. I work as a Preferred Trainer with LDS & Associates – Accent Modification Program, and I am a member of CORSPAN (Corporate Speech Pathology Network). I collaborate with people of all ages to improve their communication and pronunciation skills in schools, hospitals, and private practice settings. To learn more or to contact me, complete this form or reach me at 818-421-7444. I look forward to hearing from you!