Your first language
The American accent for Arabic speakers
Your English is already good. If Arabic is your first language, these are the American patterns worth your time first, and why.
Start with these patterns
Can and can’t mean opposite things, Arabic has no P, so a P at the start needs its air, and you may say every vowel in full and roll the R.
Can or can’t?
can + verb → kuhncan't → can't
Can’t is strong, with the A in cat, and its T often stops.
If you speak Arabic, you may say every vowel in full. Make can quick, “kuhn”: I kuhn help.
T, P and K start with air
start + T · P · K → with air
Without the air, time can sound like dime.
If you speak Arabic, the P needs this air most: see Peach or beach?
Any vowel can become “uh”
vowel in a quick part → uh
An -le at the end sounds like “uhl”: table.
If you speak Arabic, you may say each vowel as it is written. In quick parts, say “uh” instead.
R is never rolled
R touches nothingD touches once
If your tongue tip touches, even once, hiring sounds like hiding.
If you speak Arabic, your ر rolls or touches once. The English R does neither: right, very.
Then, for clear pronunciation
Arabic has no P or V and fewer vowels, and street starts with S, T and R together.
Peach or beach?
P a little airB with voice
Close both lips for P and for B. Without a little air after the P, peach can sound like beach.
If you speak Arabic, P may become B, as in بيبسي for Pepsi. Close your lips, keep your voice off and let a little air out.
Very or berry?
V teeth on lipB both lipsW round lips
If both lips close, very sounds like berry. If they round, vine sounds like wine.
If you speak Arabic, V may become F, as in فيديو. Keep your teeth on your lip, and add your voice: video.
Lift or left?
i almost closede half-open
For lift, keep your mouth relaxed. For left, drop your jaw a little.
If you speak Arabic, lift and left may sound alike in your English. For left, open your mouth halfway.
Finish the word, add no vowel
last sound → said
Without its T, note is no. With an added vowel, sport is support.
If you speak Arabic, a small vowel may come before or between the first sounds. Keep them together: street, sport.
What you likely do already
Arabic gives you a head start on: T becomes a quick D.