Morphing Sounds

The word “morph” means to change. When we speak quickly, it is common for many sounds to morph. One case is when a T sound is between 2 vowel sounds. How does the T morph in this case? Keep reading to find out.

T Between Vowels

First, here are some example words that have a T between 2 vowels.

later

heater

writer

voter

cuter

And second, here are some example phrases.

wait up

meet up

light up

vote up

shoot up

Say these words and phrases slowly. Then listen to the sounds. Try to feel the things your tongue, mouth, and voice are doing. One of the things your tongue is doing when it makes the T sound is that the end goes up and touches the place in your mouth behind your front teeth. Can you feel it?

Morphing T

So how does the T morph when we speak more quickly? When we say words and phrases more quickly, the T sound between vowels changes to sound a little bit like a D. But it is not the same. It is between the original T sound and the D sound. Try saying these 3 words quickly.

waited

eater

writing

did your Ts sound like Ds? Almost? Then you pronounced the words correctly. No? Then try again.

Flapping T

It is difficult to feel when you speak quickly, but I can tell you that the end of your tongue is touching the place behind your teeth. The difference is that a smaller part of it is touching, and it is touching your mouth more quickly. This sound between a T and a D is called a “flap.” Your tongue is flapping. Flapping is the thing a bird does with its wings so it can fly. Think about how a bird moves its wings and you will understand the way you need to move your tongue to make the flapping T sound.

But Why

But why do we do this? When we want to do a job quickly, we find ways to do fewer necessary things to finish. It is the same with speaking. In my post about the H sound, I wrote about this. The flapping T makes less work for your tongue. This means that the speech can come out of your mouth more quickly. That is why the T sound and other sounds morph. Listen when you speak your native language and you will hear the same thing.

Your Turn

Now it is time for you to practice. Watch the video and practice with the examples. Also do the audio exercise. Leave a comment and tell me if you are able to morph your T sounds between vowels.