LESSON 3 : THOSE CRAZY CONSONANT CLUSTERS

Dr.David Alan Stern

AUDIO

Speakers from many languages fail to pronounce all stages consonant clusters.....combinations of two or more consonant clusters, at the ends of words. This section is important for everyone. Pay particular attention if your first language is Spanish, or any of the East Asian Languages.

SECTION I: CLUSTERS WITH "S" and "T" {Counter #.....}

L3/S1-A

ST clusters do add a soft, exploding "T" sound.

EAST, DENTIST, TEST, FAST, BOOST, COST

And try these others---some of which have a final "ED" pronounced as a "T" (see Lesson #1).

blessed, beast, cast, roast, crossed, most, lost, post, bust L3/S1-B

"TS" clusters are pronounced as one affricate sound. Listen closely to the tape for instructions.

SITS, HEATS, BETS, HATS, SUITS, PUTS, POTS

And these additional words not recorded on the tape:

get, lets, gates, bats, aristocrats, boats, boots

L3/S1-C

"STS" clusters begin with a simple "S" and the add the "TS" affricate you just practiced.

DENTISTS, TESTS, FASTS, BOOSTS, FEASTS, DUSTS, COSTS

And a few more:

beasts, casts, roasts, posts, busts, costs, molests

SECTION II : CLUSTERS WITH "S" and "K" {Counter #.........}

L3/S2- A

"SK' clusters add a softly exploding "K" to the simple "S."

ASK. TASK, DESK, MUSK, TUSK

Now try a few more.

brisk, risk, bisque, bask, mosque

L3/S2-B

The "KS" cluster is also pronounced as one affricative sound. Listen closely to the tape for instructions.

BREAKS, SEX, SOCKS, BACKS, CORKS, BOX, BLOCKS

Now here are a few more to practice. takes, rakes, mocks, peaks, beaks, pokes, dukes, trucks, lox

L3/S2-C

The "SKS" cluster begin with a simple "S" and then adds the "KS" affricate you just practiced.

ASKS, TASKS, DESKS, MUSKS, TUSKS

and now try a few more which aren't on the tape.

risks, bisques, basks, mosques

Now try these drill sentences containing words from the last six clusters.

- I MUST ASK YOU TO TRAVEL EAST AND WEST IN THE STATES.
- HE SITS AT THE DESK.
- SHE PUTS PAPER ON THE DESKS.
- HE EATS LOX AFTER LOADING THE TRUCKS.
- TWO APPLES COST A NICKEL, BUT ONE COSTS THREE CENTS.
- THE DENTIST BOASTS ABOUT HOW MUCH GOLD COSTS.
- SHE LIFTS HER GIFTS OUT OF THE BOX.

Now a few more drills which aren't on the tape:
- He gets into locked gates at a reasonable cost.
- Don't risk the brisk water of cold lakes.
- Making masks takes great cost and many efforts.
- Scientists' time is costlier in the West than in the East.

L3/S4

Now follow the instructions and samples on the tape for these additional voiceless clusters.

DIPS, HIPS, APES, TROUPES, GROUPS, CAPS
LIFT, AFT, SOFT, LAUGHED, GOOFED, LOAFED
LIFTS, SIFTS, GIFTS, DRAFTS
FIFTH/FIFTHS SIXTH/SIXTHS

- HE FAILS HIS TESTS BECAUSE HE LOAFS IN CLASS.
- THE SIXTH LINE OF TROUPES WILL CLIMB THE ALPS.
- HE LIFTS WEIGHTS TO GET RID OF SOFT HIPS.
- SHE STUDIES ARTS AND CRAFTS DURING FIFTH PERIOD.
- Grapes were left over from the gift packages.
- Parachute drops get easier after the seventh try.
- The sixth grader laughed after the fifth grader goofed.
- Doctors can graft soft skin onto your hips.

L3/S5

And now follow the tape in producing clusters which contain at least one voiced consonant.

GRANT, DENT, CAN'T BUNT, SENT
HAND, SANE, END, SEND, BLEND
CAMP, DAMP, HEMP
HELP, KELP, ALPS, SCALPS
RENTS, DENTS, GRANTS, BUNTS
HAND, SANDS, ENDS, BLENDS

- I SENT HIM TO WASH HIS HANDS.
- IT RAINS HARD IN CAMP.
- THE SANDS AT THE ENDS OF THE BEACH WERE COVERED WITH KELP.
- MY SCALP ITCHES AND BURNS FROM THE SUDS.
- Grant me the help I need to end the problems.
- Lend me your hands to get the dents our of the car.
- The boxing champ can't stand the damp smell of the gym.
- Pretend that camp has ended and you got your research grant.