06. [m]
/m/ as in ME /mi/ and SWIM /swɪm/
PRONOUNCING /m/
LIPS: are together in a
«humming» position.
AIRSTREAM: is continuous through the nose.
VOCAL CORDS: are vibrating.
The sound /m/ is pronounced the same as the Spanish letter m.
SPANISH KEY WORDS WITH /m/
Spanish words with this sound are spelled with m.
KEY WORDS: mamá comer también
POSSIBLE PRONUNCIATION PROBLEMS FOR THE SPANISH SPEAKER
This is a familiar sound to you; it will be easy to say in the beginning and middle of words. However, /m/ does not occur at the end of words in Spanish. You might substitute the more familiar /n/ or /ŋ/ at the end of the words in English.
EXAMPLES:
If you say /n/ instead of /m/:
some /sʌm/ will become sun /sʌn/
If you say /ŋ/ instead of /m/:
swim /swɪm/ will become swing /swɪŋ/
Remember, make your lips come together in a "humming" position for /m/. Say "mmmmmmmmm" and your /m/ will be marvelous!
EXERCISE A
The following words should be pronounced with /m/. Pronounce them carefully. Remember, lips together!
/m/ At the Beginning
/m/ In the Middle
/m/ At the End
me /mi/
may /meɪ/
mat /mæt/
more /mɔr/
milk /mɪlk/
mean /min/
month /mʌnθ/
matter /ˈmætɚ/
minute /ˈmɪnɪt/
army /ˈɑrmi/
among /əˈmʌŋ/
lemon /ˈlɛmən/
animal /ˈænəməl/
camera /ˈkæmrə/
summer /ˈsʌmɚ/
hammer /ˈhæmɚ/
mailman /ˈmeɪlmæn/
something /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
am /æm/
him /hɪm/
them /ðɛm/
seem /sim/
name /neɪm/
time /taɪm/
room /rum/
come /kʌm/
comb /koʊm/
EXERCISE B
The boldface words in the following phrases and sentences should be pronounced with /m/. Pronounce them as accurately as possible. Remember, KEEP YOUR LIPS TOGETHER, especially when /m/ is the last sound in the word.
arm in arm
ɑrm ɪn ɑrm
lemon and lime
ˈlɛmən ænd laɪm
summertime
ˈsʌmɚˌtaɪm
What’s your name?
wʌts yɔr neɪm?
What time is it?
wʌt taɪm ɪz ɪt?
Don’t blame me!
doʊnt bleɪm mi!
The poem doesn’t rhyme.
ðə ˈpoʊəm ˈdʌzənt raɪm.
Sam is a common American name.
sæm ɪz ə ˈkɑmən əˈmɛrɪkən neɪm.
What time is my appointment?
wʌt taɪm ɪz maɪ əˈpɔɪnt̚mənt?
Tell them to come home.
tɛl ðɛm tu kʌm hoʊm.
Tim is from a farm.
tɪm ɪz frʌm ə fɑrm.
Give Pam some more ham.
ɡɪv pæm sʌm mɔr hæm.
The home team won the game.
ðə hoʊm tim wʌn ðə ɡeɪm.
The picture frame is made of chrome.
ðə ˈpɪktʃɚ freɪm ɪz meɪd ʌv kroʊm.
Mom makes homemade ice cream.
mɑm meɪks ˌhoʊmˈmeɪd aɪs krim.