How good is your pronunciation? Try this audio exercise!

Question

Getting in some practice with actually speaking a target language is not always easy to accomplish but because it's so important I've been trying to come up with a way to give people some audio practice.

Here's my latest idea jeje.

All you need is a microphone and a little computer literacy. Feel free to have a go and please do let me know how the instructions are to follow etc. It's a challenge to come up with an easy way to set this up but I hope the benefits will be worth the effort.

Excellent idea, Kiwi!! Thank you for all you do here to help us!! - rac1, Nov 5, 2012

Thanks Rac :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

I posted my voice Annie, how about you! Feel like giving it a go! - bandit51jd, Nov 6, 2012

Great exercise Kiwi! Voted everyone up. :D - cheskasullivan, Nov 7, 2012

Gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

You should have put a Ñ in there. Perhaps in future editions? also, some for the people learning English, with "th", "v/b", etc - comunacho, Nov 8, 2012

I just thought that native speakers should record themselves for comparison - comunacho, Nov 8, 2012

yes good idea, I'll do an English one for you when I have a minute - so get ready for the kiwi accent je je - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

That's great! - comunacho, Nov 10, 2012

Thank you :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 10, 2012

Answer 1

I´ve really missed this! The native speaker was a big help! Thank you for providing this. My speech is very poor due to lack of practice. I think my single ¨R¨ is fair! I suspect my vowels are too American! Jajaja

Any feedback from any member is appreciated!

# 1 Dado texto: En español

Mi segundo intento en español

Great try Bandit, I think you also would be understood just fine but if you want to sound more native then I would suggest really making sure of your vowel sounds also softening some of them up and not hanging on to them for quite so long. - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

My suggestions would be: cOmún (not cAmún) sAludar (not sOludar), muchO (a softer 'o' sound like the 'o' in dog), se is a soft e sound as in 'e'egg . But well done, not bad at all :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Ditto on your reply, Bandit51jd. Speech is not one of my strengths, either. - SaigeSmith, Nov 7, 2012

Yes, I´d like to sound more native so I´ll practice the vowels and post a second attempt. So many members have appreciated this exercise! Muchas gracias, Kiwi! - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

de nada :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 12, 2012

Please let me know if my vowels are better; more crisp and short. I think I was softer but I still need lots of work! Jajaja - bandit51jd, Nov 19, 2012

Just one word of advice - try for a slightly less pronounced "r" sound at the end of words like "estar". Make it more liike "estad". But I foind you to be very understandable. Good job! :)) - Noetol, Nov 27, 2012

Yes, I've been reading about that, and with your example I'll try. Muchas gracias, Noetol. I'll try that on my next attempt. - bandit51jd, Nov 27, 2012

Answer 2

Nice exercise!

Here is my recording

I listened - sounds great amiga :) - ian-hill, Nov 6, 2012

Hola amiga, nice job and thanks for joining in, your Spanish sounds great so I had to be really picky jeje I would just say that every now and then you have a couple of 'lazy' vowels (for the want of a better word) but this would be true of native speakrs - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

in most language too I'm sure. So I'd suggest just some little things like dEcir (not dicir), mEjilla (not majilla) and perhaps have a read of the comments about the 'd' sound and make sure that your tongue doesn't touch the roof of your mouth when you - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Your pace is smooth and easy. Muchas gracias! - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

Answer 3

Thanks, Kiwi-Girl. This is a great idea. I thought the instructions were clear, and I really like Vocaroo. It seems easy to use.

Here's mine.

Se entiende perfectamente. Me gustó la R en "responde" - comunacho, Nov 6, 2012

Yes, I like that ¨single R¨ sound, too. I bet you can roll your double R, too! You voice is very gentle to the ears, I have a feeling that gentleness and kindness is a part of you! - bandit51jd, Nov 6, 2012

Well done Grace, thanks for the feedback. I would give you the same point to work on as Redline - the 'd' sound, and this is a common fault of us English speakers. In English we put our tongue on the roof of our mouth but in Spanish the tongue touches - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

the back of your top row of teeth. Have a go with that and I'm sure you'll be able to hear the difference. If you pay careful attention to a native speaker you'll even be able to see it happening when they say a 'd' sound :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Thanks, comunacho. I'm glad you think so. How kind, bandit. :) Thanks for the tips, Kiwi. I've noticed how the "d" is pronounced. I thought I was doing it, but apparently I need to try harder! :) Thanks again for your review. - GraceM, Nov 6, 2012

A mí me gustó mucho, tu acento nativo se desvaneciendo paulatinamente e inclusive hablaste muy rápido en la grabación. =O - -cae-, Nov 9, 2012

Te agradezco los comentarios, Carlos. :) Y gracias por las dos nuevas palabras. "Desvanecer" y "paulatinamente" - GraceM, Nov 9, 2012

Ups. Aunque quise decir "se VA desvaneciendo". Lo siento, me comí una palabra. - -cae-, Nov 10, 2012

Answer 4

This superthread of Kiwi-girl deserves more attention and more answers. Come on, all of you, don´t be shy. Even I ventured to do it : - )

lol :) That kiwi looks like it needs a good feed :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 7, 2012

You're exactly right, mcl. :) - GraceM, Nov 8, 2012

Answer 5

Good exercise, Kiwi.

Thanks. : ))

de nada :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

Iana are you going to post your recording? - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 7, 2012

Kiwi, I have tried, but it does not work. :(( I tried different settings as well, but it did not help. Anyway, it is great idea. - iana01, Nov 8, 2012

ah qué pena :( - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

sí. Qué pena! - iana01, Nov 9, 2012

Answer 6

Thank you, Kiwi, for this opportunuty. I've only been attempting to learn Spanish for a few weeks, both with the Rosetta Stone program, and this site as an additional aid. I've found the Q&A and the lessons very helpful, but I've never allowed any one else to hear me try to say anything in Spanish. This is my very first attempt. I'm sure my accent and emphasis is way off, but I just want to know if it's at all understandable, making allowances for a non-native tourist. Thanks again, Kiwi, and everyone, for all your generous help. Peter

I see I haven't copied the link right. Here it is - http://vocaroo.com/i/s1HOMi1AxT8D - PeterRS, Nov 5, 2012

Good on you for having a go! That's the way - I'll let you know as soon as I've had a listen, I'm sure you did great :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

Hey Peter, well if that was your first attempt that was awesome! (I'm glad you could follow my instructions too jeje) A couple of suggestions, just be careful with your vowels, most of them were great but for instance 'bEso' the e is soft as in 'egg' - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

and the 'o' on the end of besO is like the 'o' in 'dog' instead of 'oh' as in 'open' - and for responde, the final 'e' is the same sound as in 'beso' 'e' as in 'egg' not 'ay'. Good to hear you getthing a nice 'r' sound on the end of words like deciR - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

all in all a great job, keep up the good work - sigue así :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

Thanks for your comments. I wonder if you could record the paragraph so we can hear how it should sound? Thanks - PeterRS, Nov 5, 2012

Sure I'll do it when i have a minute and let you know when it's posted, in the meantime I did add a link to a native speaker saying the same text, did you have a listen to that one? - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

Here's my second try after your feedback and hearing the recoding of a native speaker. I hope it's better. http://vocaroo.com/i/s1wRs8scNDI1 - PeterRS, Nov 5, 2012

Wonderful efforts Peter! - bandit51jd, Nov 6, 2012

PS thanks for posting your attempts on my page too, much appreciated :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

I put the link in for you. - katydew, Nov 26, 2012

Answer 7

: Here is mine

Really good. You might work on ¨introduce¨ and ¨pleasure¨. Try to be clear with the syllables. Well done! - bandit51jd, Nov 6, 2012

Hey top work Comunacho, your recording was easily understandable well done :) Just to take your pronunciation to the next level my suggestion would be just to watch these sounds, tr, th and v - (the second) inTROduce, oTHers, giVe, - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Thanks - comunacho, Nov 8, 2012

Nice. - katydew, Nov 26, 2012

Answer 8

Excellent. Is there a given text in English?

Thanks Comunacho, I've added the English text now too :) (good idea ;) ) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

PS Please go ahead and record an English version if you'd like some feedback :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

(ps se dice - Is there a ...? jeje) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

thanks. To me, both forms sound very much alike. It's just that in Spanish is all right to talk like Yoda - comunacho, Nov 6, 2012

ja ja :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Answer 9

Great idea. Finally a voice recording website that is simple and efficient! Here is my attempt, would love some helpful feedback, especially with the accents. Gracias.

Gran idea. ¡Finalmente, un sitio para registrar la voz que es simple y eficiente! Aqui es mi grabación, me encantaría una reacción útil, especialmente con los acentos. Gracias.

My Recording

Sure thing, I'm heading out for work now but will do it when I get back, thanks for joining in :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 5, 2012

It's very clear. When you say "común", the "o" is a bit weak (c'mún), it should be more like the "o" in "sore". And the J in José should be harder. Besides that, it's pretty well - comunacho, Nov 6, 2012

Very nice and easy to listen to. Your speed is a good goal for me to work towards! - bandit51jd, Nov 6, 2012

Hey nice job :) Comunacho has picked up on the same things that stood out to me, the second and third 'común' were much better than the first one. Also just watch your 'd' decir, dar, dan, dos etc. In English we put our tongue on the roof of our mouth - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

but with Spanish the 'd' sounds is made by touching the tongue on the back of your top row of teeth. Have a go with that and I'm sure you'll be able to hear the difference. If you pay careful attention to a native speaker you'll even be able to see it. - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Thank you all very much for responding. Finally able to log back on and was so happy to see the constructive notes! I'll keep practicing, of course. Can't wait for the next one -- thanks again! - RedLine55, Nov 7, 2012

Answer 10

Here's mine in English.

I'm not sure I understand the reason for recording in English. :) - GraceM, Nov 9, 2012

I think it's so Spanish native speakers can learn from native English speakers regarding pronunciation. - rac1, Nov 9, 2012

Exactly, Annie. It's good for people like me, who even write in English keeping the Spanish accent. :) - -cae-, Nov 9, 2012

Thanks, Annie. Carlos, I can't understand you very well when you write with a Spanish accent. :D - GraceM, Nov 9, 2012

Answer 11

Here is mine ( if it works!) I couldn't do the log in as requested, perhaps the link to my voice recording works from here?

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1Nod3krcUGw

Please let me know if it works.

Hey Margarita yes yours works, first of all there's just a couple of footsteps jeje but yes it works :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Great job, you have lovely pronunciation my main suggestion would also be the 'd' sound - make sure your tongue only touches the back of your top row of teeth when you make this sound and not the roof of your mouth as we do in English. If not words like - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

caDa sound like caRa :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Yes, it works ;-) You made it into a sort of suspension movie with those footsteps and then the long silence .... - mcl020, Nov 7, 2012

Haha! All accidental. Footsteps was husband leaving the room. Long silence, me plucking up courage to begin! - margarita1943, Nov 7, 2012

I created a hyper for you. Very easy to listen to your voice and I look forward to hearing more! Courage is being scared but ¨saddling up anyway¨'', John Wayne. - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

Answer 12

Sorry this is the first chance I got to actually do my own recording jeje - so here it is, feel free to post any constructive criticism

Kiwi Girl's recording

PS I'm not actually 7 although my recording might sound like it :P - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

very well. You speak better than I do. - comunacho, Nov 8, 2012

aw you're very kind, thank you Comunacho but please do tell me if you pick up on anything that I can improve on :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

Just wondering, do you speak English with any accent? Because I couldn't tell from your recording. - PeterRS, Nov 8, 2012

Oh yes I'm very kiwi lol, I'll do an English recording too just for a laugh :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 8, 2012

Great to hear you as well, Kiwi ;-) Thanks a lot! - mcl020, Nov 9, 2012

Hola. Me gusta mucho tu acento, tiene un poquito de sudamericano combinado con algo de Ibérico. - -cae-, Nov 9, 2012

je je gracias señor :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 9, 2012

Answer 13

Very good exercise. I'm sorry to spoil all nice recordings with my own (I have a cold, so there's even more nasality than usual) ; - )

marijke

Well done MC I'm not sure why but I wasn't expecting you to be a lady jeje - nice job, you sound quite comfortable speaking with a natural pace, and great 'j' sound :) Just a couple of tiny suggestions, pAises (not peyeeses) respondE (not respondA) and - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

the 'd' sound as I've mentioned a few times to the others. :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 6, 2012

Kiwi, you're way too kind. I hate my heavy Amsterdam accent ;-( - mcl020, Nov 6, 2012

not at all - you did great :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 7, 2012

Thanks a lot, Kiwi, for all the useful tips! This is sooooooooo helpful!! - mcl020, Nov 7, 2012

Lady Marijke, you sound young-er. Hehe.. And I did not hear your Amsterdam accent at all. :D - cheskasullivan, Nov 7, 2012

Good job Marijke! I liked a lot. :) - -cae-, Nov 9, 2012

help as well. Bien hecho, Marijke, and I look forward to more! - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

To be more fluid and smooth be more aware of your commas and periods. Allow yourself to be more fluid. Awareness will help you not to feel like your heavy. Members aren´t hearing an accent so combined with more emphasis on your pausing will hopefully - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

Answer 14

Ray 76

Thank you Kiwi , this has been almost my only opportunity to speak Spanish ,

this has been so interesting and helpful.

Last year Paco suggested a slower pace for me. I liked your pace. Your vowels are so much smoother and native like, I liked that, too. Your inflection and tone came out as well. Bien hecho, Ray! - bandit51jd, Nov 10, 2012

You're very welcome, thanks for the thanks jeje :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 12, 2012

Very nice, Ray. - iana01, Nov 27, 2012

Answer 15

Ok peeps, just for a bit of variety, here's mine in English - I think Comunacho had a good idea that we record not only in the language we're learning but also in our native tongue just for comparison.

My English recording

.... I'll look forward to hearing everyone elses