Cousin: Exploring Its Phonetic Features
Cousin is a familial term referring to the children of one's aunt or uncle. Although it may appear simple, the phonetic features of cousin can be quite challenging for English learners to grasp. In this article, we will delve into the pronunciation of cousin, exploring its sound components and rules for intonation.
Consonant Sounds in Cousin
Let's start with the consonant sounds of cousin. It contains three consonant sounds: /k/, /z/, and /n/. The first sound, /k/, is voiceless and produced by blocking the airflow in the back of the mouth using the tongue and the soft palate. It is similar to the sound in \"kite\" and \"cold.\" The second sound, /z/, is voiced and produced by vibrating the vocal cords while the airflow passes through the mouth. It is similar to the sound in \"zone\" and \"crazy.\" The final sound, /n/, is also voiced and produced by blocking the airflow in the mouth using the tongue against the alveolar ridge. It is similar to the sound in \"no\" and \"now.\"
Vowel Sounds in Cousin
Next, let's look at the vowel sounds in cousin. It contains two vowel sounds: /ʌ/ and /ɪ/. The first sound, /ʌ/, is a mid-central vowel sound produced by relaxing the jaw and keeping the tongue flat in the middle of the mouth. It is similar to the sound in \"cup\" and \"luck.\" The second sound, /ɪ/, is a close front vowel sound produced by raising the front part of the tongue towards the hard palate. It is similar to the sound in \"bit\" and \"tip.\"
Intonation of Cousin
Lastly, let's talk about the intonation of cousin. The stress in cousin is on the first syllable, and the second syllable is unstressed. The pitch of the voice usually rises on the first syllable and falls on the second syllable, creating a falling-rising intonation pattern. This pattern is common in English words with the stress on the first syllable, such as \"mother,\" \"father,\" and \"sister.\"
In conclusion, cousin is a simple word with a distinct sound pattern. English learners can improve their pronunciation by understanding its consonant and vowel sounds and intonation pattern. Practice makes perfect, so keep practicing until you can say \"cousin\" like a native speaker!
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