Have you ever found that, even after years of speaking English, your accent still gives you away as a Japanese speaker? Perhaps colleagues or clients sometimes ask you to repeat yourself, or you feel self-conscious about how you sound in meetings or presentations. If so, you’re not alone, many Japanese professionals find that certain English sounds and speech patterns remain stubbornly difficult, even at an advanced level. The differences between Japanese and British English pronunciation are subtle but significant. The good news is that with focused practice and expert guidance, you can reshape your accent, boost your clarity, and speak with greater confidence in any situation.
Key Differences Between Japanese And British English Pronunciation
Unlike English, Japanese has only five pure vowel sounds and no diphthongs. Every vowel in Japanese is pronounced clearly and given equal length, which is very different from the variety and rhythm of British English. This means Japanese speakers often “flatten” English vowels and miss subtle differences that are important for native-like pronunciation.
British English Vowel Pronunciation: Common Mistakes for Japanese Speakers
- Limited Vowel Range:
Japanese has just five vowel positions, while British English uses at least eleven. This means speakers often merge English vowels, so “ship” and “sheep” both sound like “ship,” and “cat” is pronounced more like “cut.” - Missing Diphthongs:
English diphthongs (like /əʊ/ in “go” or /eɪ/ in “say”) are replaced by single vowels, so “go” may sound like “goh” and “say” like “seh.” - No Schwa /ə/:
Japanese doesn’t use the neutral schwa vowel, which is the most common sound in English. As a result, they tend to pronounce every vowel clearly, so “banana” may sound like “bah-nah-nah” rather than the natural English “buh-NAH-nuh.” - Vowel Over-Articulation:
Every vowel is given equal length and clarity, which can make English sound choppy or robotic instead of natural and flowing.
British English Consonant Pronunciation: Common Mistakes for Japanese Speakers
- /l/ and /r/ Confusion:
Japanese has a single sound that falls between /l/ and /r/, so “light” and “right” may sound almost identical. In English, /l/ is made by touching the tongue to the ridge behind the teeth, while /r/ is made without touching the roof of the mouth at all. - “th” Sounds /θ/ and /ð/:
These sounds don’t exist, so “think” may become “sink” or “tink,” and “this” can sound like “dis” or “zis.” Practice placing your tongue between your teeth for these. - Consonant Clusters:
Japanese doesn’t allow two or more consonants together, so extra vowels are often added. For example, “street” may become “su-treet,” and “milk” may sound like “mi-ru-ku.” - Extra Syllables:
Japanese speakers sometimes add an “o” or “u” sound at the end of English words, so “dog” may become “dogu.” - Final Consonant Weakening:
Final consonants are often dropped or softened, so “cold” may sound like “col.” - /v/ and /b/ Confusion:
The /v/ sound doesn’t exist, so “very” may be pronounced as “bery.” - /ʃ/ (“sh”) and /s/ Confusion:
These sounds may be mixed up, so “ship” and “sip” can sound similar.
Rhythm, Intonation, And Connected Speech
Word and Sentence Stress:
Japanese speakers often give equal stress to each syllable, but English relies on strong and weak syllables. In long words, native speakers stress one syllable more than the others, which can change the meaning and clarity of speech.
Joining Words:
In Japanese, words are pronounced separately, but fluent English joins words together. Practise linking the end of one word to the start of the next for a more natural sound.
Sentence Intonation:
Japanese is spoken with a relatively flat pitch, while English uses a melody of rises and falls. Practise using downward intonation at the end of statements to sound more confident and British.
Want To Change Your Accent? Work With A British Accent Coach!
Improving your British accent is absolutely possible, no matter how long you’ve spoken English. Focus on one sound at a time, record yourself, and listen back for progress. Consistent practice and expert feedback from a British accent coach will make a huge difference.
If you’re ready to sound more natural and confident, sign up for my British English online accent membership for expert-led training, practice materials, and a supportive community. Or, for a personalised approach, book a call with a British accent coach for 1:1 coaching tailored to your unique goals.