Two of the American English vowel sounds that non-native speakers frequently mispronounce are the /iy/ sound in the word sheep and the /I/ sound in the word ship.
When non-native speakers (especially Spanish & Portuguese speakers) say the word cheap, it often sounds like chip. When they say the word seat, it sounds like sit. When they say the word seek, it sounds like sick. When they say the word beach, it sounds like…….well, you know!
Here is an accent reduction exercise you can use to practice listening to and pronouncing these confusing vowel sounds.
If you are looking for a book and CD you can use to learn and practice the American accent check out Mastering the American Accent. You will learn about the /iy/& /I/ sounds and all of the other vowel and consonant sounds in American English.
Tags: /iy/ & /I/ sounds, american english audio, American English Pronunciation, american english vowels, brazilian portuguese speakers, filipino speakers, mastering the american accent, pronunciation problems for spanish speakers
