The Neutral Vowel

There's a sound we make when we're thinking, or hesitating. This sound tells us a lot about the normal tension state and position of our speech muscles - the default setting if you like.

Exercise

Try chatting about something from your past whilst looking in a mirror (or being video-ed as we do in our Accent Reduction Evening Classes). Try to notice the 'er' or 'eh' sound you make when you're thinking or pausing. Then look at the position of your muscles when you're making it. Try to compare this with a native RP speaker and you will both see differences from outside, and also hear differences from what is happening inside the mouth.

In RP British English, this sound is also a vowel sound that we use in actual speech. Because it is the default setting for the muscles, it is the most important sound to master. If you always drop back to this position after making movements to make other vowel sounds, you will sound much more British. Every other vowel sound will be influenced by the habitual position you are keeping. This is hard to explain, but once mastered, makes keeping the accent changes consistent much easier.

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Making the Neutral Vowel

The basic points are as follows.

1. Keep your tongue tip down below your bottom front teeth when you're making the vowel (don't let the tongue retract back).
2. Don't pronounce the 'r's in the spelling - they're silent after vowels.
3. Let the tongue relax into a fat, rounded shape that sits back in the mouth - like a fat rabbit.
4. Let the jaw relax and the face muscles and lip muscles relax until there is space between your teeth at the back.

To help you - here are some of the most common words, spoken by one of expert accent coaches, RADA trained actor and Central trained voice teacher, Leslie Tuckey.

Neutral Long Vowel There is time to repeat after each word. Use a mirror to help you copy the relaxed muscle state.

If you find this useful - you might wish to take more of our Accent Reduction training.

Try the other free resources on this page, look out for our downloadable Ebook and forthcoming Manuals and CDs. Or come and be taught in person by our fabulous coaches. We run Evening Courses in Accent Reduction for all the major accent groups, and offer private tuition in Central London.

Happy practising!

The Speak Easily Team