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PRONUNCIATION PROJECT- Vietnamese Vowel Combination: au

 


Vietnamese Vowel Combination: au

Phonetic Description/Features: This is a diphthong that starts with the mid-central, unrounded 'ă' sound (like the short 'u' in English cut) and then glides towards the close, back, rounded 'u' sound (like in English moon). It's similar to 'ao' but starts with a more relaxed and central initial vowel.

Closest English Sound & New Example:

  • English Sound: The "ou" sound as in "loud"

  • New Example: shout (the "ou" sound)

Step-by-Step Teaching Technique:

  1. Master the Starting 'ă':

    • Ensure the student can accurately produce the Vietnamese 'ă' sound (relaxed jaw, tongue neutral-central, lips unrounded, like in "cut"). "Say 'uh' quickly and relaxed."

  2. Identify the Target 'u':

    • Have them make the Vietnamese 'u' sound (tightly rounded lips pushed forward, tongue high and back, like in "moon"). "Say 'oooo' with very rounded lips."

  3. The Glide - Relaxed Start to Rounded End:

    • Instruct the student to start with the 'ă' sound.

    • Then, while sustaining the sound, smoothly transition their lips from a relaxed, unrounded position into a tightly rounded 'u' shape. The tongue will glide from central to high-back.

    • Analogy: "It's like starting with a relaxed, neutral 'uh' and then quickly puckering your lips for 'oo'. 'Uh-ooo' becomes 'au'."

    • Focus: The key is the relaxed, central start compared to the more open 'a' in 'ao'.

  4. Practice Gradually:

    • Start slowly: "Uh...ooo" then gradually speed up until it's one smooth diphthong: "Uh-ooo" -> "au".

  5. Connect to English:

    • "This is very close to the 'ou' sound in English words like house, mouse, cloud."

    • Practice English words: couch, sound, ground, brow.

  6. Practice Vietnamese Words:

    • rau (vegetable) - Focus on the 'au' sound.

    • mau (quick/fast)

    • báu (precious)

    • lâu (long time)

  7. Troubleshooting:

    • Starting with 'a' instead of 'ă': Remind them the initial vowel is more relaxed and central, not as wide open as 'a'.

    • Insufficient rounding at the end: Emphasize the full 'u' lip rounding.

Not a smooth glide: Practice the transition slowly, then speed up.

NOTE: This is an ongoing project that I am working to develop a teaching technique for all of the vowels and consonants in the Vietnamese language.

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