If your first language is Arabic, you might find English pronunciation full of surprises. Many Arabic speakers I coach are articulate and expressive in their own language, but English presents sounds and rhythms that simply don’t exist in Arabic. The good news is that with targeted practice, you can overcome these hurdles and speak English with greater clarity and confidence.
Key Differences Between Arabic And English Pronunciation
Arabic and English have very different sound systems. Arabic has fewer vowel sounds and does not use some English consonants at all. English, by contrast, uses a wide range of vowels, diphthongs, and consonant clusters, and relies on stress-timed rhythm. These differences can lead to specific pronunciation challenges.
British English Vowel Sounds: Typical Pronunciation Errors
Short And Long Vowel Confusion
Arabic vowels are generally longer and more consistent, while English distinguishes between short and long vowels. For example, “ship” (/ɪ/) vs. “sheep” (/iː/), and “full” (/ʊ/) vs. “fool” (/uː/). Arabic speakers may not hold long vowels long enough, or may not pick up on subtle differences. Practising minimal pairs and exaggerating long vowels can help.
“i” and “e” Confusion
With fewer vowel distinctions in Arabic, sounds like /ɪ/ (as in “bit”) and /e/ (as in “bet”) are often mixed up. This can lead to confusion between words like “finish” and “fennish,” or “bit” and “bet.” Listening to and practising minimal pairs is essential for progress.
Diphthongs And Unfamiliar Vowels
English diphthongs like in “go” (/əʊ/), “say” (/eɪ/), and “my” (/aɪ/) are not found in Arabic. Speakers often pronounce these as single vowels, so “go” becomes /goː/. Listening to native speakers and practising tongue and lip movement will help.
The Schwa /ə/ (Uh Sound)
The schwa is the most common vowel in English but doesn’t exist in Arabic. It appears in unstressed syllables, like “sofa” (/ˈsəʊ.fə/) or “banana” (/bəˈnɑː.nə/). They tend to pronounce every vowel clearly, making speech sound unnatural. Relaxing the mouth and “blurring” unstressed vowels is key.
British English Consonant Pronunciation:
The “P” And “B” Confusion
Arabic does not have a /p/ sound, so speakers often substitute /b/. “Pen” may sound like “ben.” Practise making the /p/ sound by pressing your lips together and releasing a small burst of air.
The “V” And “F” Confusion
Arabic lacks the /v/ sound, so “very” is often pronounced as “ferry.” Practise vibrating your top teeth gently against your bottom lip for /v/.
The “Th” Sounds: /θ/ (as in “think”) and /ð/ (as in “this”)
These sounds don’t exist in Arabic. Many speakers use /s/, /z/, or /t/, /d/ instead. “Think” becomes “sink” or “tink,” and “this” becomes “zis” or “dis.” Place your tongue gently between your teeth and blow air for /θ/, or add voice for /ð/.
“Ch” and “Sh” Confusion
Arabic does not distinguish between /tʃ/ (“ch” as in “chip”) and /ʃ/ (“sh” as in “ship”). “Which” may sound like “wish.” Practise the difference by listening and repeating minimal pairs.
Consonant Clusters
Arabic words rarely have more than two consonants together, while English often has three or more (for example, “street,” “tasks,” “spilled,” “strength”). They may insert extra vowels, such as saying “si-poon” for “spoon,” or drop sounds, like “tes” for “test.” Practise breaking down clusters slowly, then blending them together.
The “Ng” /ŋ/ Sound
In Arabic, /ŋ/ (as in “sing”) is only used before /k/. In English, it can appear at the end of words, such as “long” or “singing.” Practise keeping the back of your tongue raised for /ŋ/ without adding a final /g/.
The “R” Sound
The British English /r/ is pronounced with tension in the tongue, not rolled. Practise words like “real,” “red,” and “reason” by bunching and tensing the tongue.
British Rhythm, Intonation, And Glottal Stops
Arabic is syllable-timed, while English is stress-timed. This can make Arabic-accented English sound choppy or staccato. Practise English word stress, linking words together, and reducing unstressed syllables to sound smoother and more fluent.
They may also insert a glottal stop before words that begin with a vowel, so “Emma always” becomes “Emma uh always.” Practising connected speech and linking will help your English sound more natural.
Want To Change Your Accent? Work With A British Accent Coach!
These pronunciation issues are absolutely fixable. Focus on one sound at a time, record yourself, and listen back for progress. Consistent practice and targeted feedback make a huge difference.
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