American Accent Decoded

Your first language

The American accent for Tagalog speakers

Your English is already good. If Tagalog is your first language, these are the American patterns worth your time first, and why.

Start with these patterns

Philippine English gives every vowel its full sound, so hot can keep its O, can and can’t mean opposite things, and your R touches once.

  1. Any vowel can become “uh”

    vowel in a quick part → uh

    An -le at the end sounds like “uhl”: table.

    If you speak Tagalog, you may say each vowel as it is written. In quick parts, say “uh” instead.

  2. Can or can’t?

    can + verb → kuhncan't → can't

    Can’t is strong, with the A in cat, and its T often stops.

  3. The O in hot sounds like “ah”

    O + consonant → ah

    This happens in the strong part. Your lips stay relaxed, not round.

  4. R is never rolled

    R touches nothingD touches once

    If your tongue tip touches, even once, hiring sounds like hiding.

    If you speak Tagalog, your R touches once. The English R touches nothing: very, sorry.

Then, for clear pronunciation

Thirteen or thirty can change a dose or a price, Philippine English often makes a later part strong, and these pairs can sound alike: fan and pan, very and berry.

  1. Thirteen or thirty?

    -teen → strong-ty → quick

    In -teen, the T is clear. In -ty, it often becomes a quick D, one fast touch.

  2. Two-part words start strong

    two parts → strong-quick

    This is true about 3 times in 4, so when you’re not sure, start strong.

    If you speak Tagalog, Philippine English often makes a later part strong. In these words, make the first part strong.

  3. Fan or pan?

    F teeth on lip, blowP both lips, stop

    For F, rest your top teeth on your lower lip. If both lips close, fan sounds like pan.

    If you speak Tagalog, F may become P, as in Pebrero. Put your top teeth on your lower lip: February, family.

  4. 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 Tagalog, V may become B, as in “bery”. Put your top teeth on your lower lip: very.

What you likely do already

Tagalog gives you a head start on: Every R is said.

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