Linking Words

When you listen to a film or a podcast, it can feel like one long word with no gaps. It isn't faster than it looks: the words are linked. If you learn to hear the joins, you will catch much more. If you link your own words, you will sound smoother without speaking any faster.

Consonant + vowel

When a word ends in a consonant and the next starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next word.

Move it over

සිංහලෙන්

• an applea-napple
• Turn it off.tur-ni-toff
• Put it on.pu-ti-ton
• Pick it up.pi-ki-tup
• Come in and sit.co-mi-nand sit

The same consonant twice

When one word ends with the sound the next one starts with, say it once, held a little longer. Don't stop between them.

Say it once

සිංහලෙන්

• bus stopbu-stop
• good daygoo-day
• big carbi-gcar
• black coffeebla-coffee

Vowel + vowel

When one word ends in a vowel and the next starts with one, a tiny /j/ (y) or /w/ slips in to join them. After ඊ-type vowels you hear /j/; after ඌ-type vowels you hear /w/.

A small y or w

සිංහලෙන්

• I am here.I-yam
• She is late.she-yis late
• go outgo-wout
• you and meyou-wand me

Practise with a tongue twister

Tongue twisters are linking practice in disguise. Say this one slowly, joining every word to the next.

Don't eat with your mouth full!

• /ð/
• /f/

--:--

--:--

Quick check

Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.

1. How is an apple said in natural English?

   an / apple, with a stopa-napple, the n moves over

2. How is bus stop said?

   bus-s-stop, two s soundsbu-stop, one long s

3. What slips in between go and out?

   /j/, a small y/w/, a small w