LESSON 17: VOWEL REDUCTION

Some vowels in unstressed position are articulated shortly and weakly and sound different. It is called ‘vowel reduction’. 

In unstressed position

• ‘о’ is pronounced like short, weak ‘a’;
• ‘е’ and ‘я’ sound like something between ‘и’ and ‘e’

Listen to the audio, paying attention to the pronunciation of unstressed vowels.

Task 1: Read the words, paying attention to reduced ‘о’. Then listen to the audio & check if your pronunciation is correct

мя́со, Москва́, я́блоко, гора́, окно́, соба́ка

Task 2: Read the words, paying attention to reduced ‘e’. Then listen to the audio & check if your pronunciation is correct

  метро́, сестра́, тепло́, весна́, о́сень, далеко́, 

Task 3: Read the words, paying attention to reduced ‘я’. Then listen to the audio & check if your pronunciation is correct

де́сять, ряби́на, па́мять, вяза́ть, Япо́ния, язы́к, янва́рь  

Task 4: Read the words, paying attention to reduced vowels. Then listen to the audio & check if your pronunciation is correct

рестора́н, снегови́к, волейбо́л, восемьсо́т, колесо́, корея́нка