Assimilation of /n/

Tim
Hi, I’m Tim and this is my pronunciation workshop. Here, I’m gonna show you how English is really spoken. It’ll help you become a better listener and a more fluent speaker. Come on, let’s go inside. Now, one of the things that happens when we speak fluently is that the sounds at the end of a word can change. To demonstrate this, we asked people on the streets of London to identify this Tube station.

Voxpops
Green Park Green Park Green Park It’s Green Park

Tim
Now, the word Green ends in the sound /n/, doesn’t it? Or does it? Listen again, what sound can you hear?

Voxpops
Green Park Green Park Green Park It’s Green Park

Tim
So, what’s happening here? Well, when one word ends in the sound /n/ and the next word begins with a /p/, /b/, /w/ or /m/ sound, then the /n/ from the end of the word changes to an /m/ sound as your mouth gets ready to pronounce the next sound. ‘Green Park’ becomes ‘Greempark’. Watch again - this time in slow motion. Look at the mouth shape. Can you see /n/, or /m/?

Voxpops
Green Park Green Park Green Park It’s Green Park

Tim
Interesting, eh? This is called assimilation. Here are some more examples:

Examples
I own ten pairs of socks. He didn’t do it on purpose. I would love to live in Paris. Can you come on Wednesday?

Tim
Right, so you’ve heard the examples and now it’s your turn. Are you ready? Listen and repeat.

Examples
I own ten pairs of socks. He didn’t do it on purpose. I would love to live in Paris. Can you come on Wednesday?

Tim
Well done. Now if you want to read more about pronunciation please visit our website: bbclearningenglish.com. That’s about it from the pronunciation workshop for now. I’ll see you next time. Bye bye. Now, where is Green Park - is it on Buckingham Palace Road? Aaaah!