Pronunciation Drills: ɪ and ɪ̈

Let's look at these two groups in order to differentiate ɪ (short i) and ɪ̈ (long e). Let's remember the position of the two.

 ɪ̈ (long e)

• pull back your lips in a smile, with a small opening separating your lips and teeth
• your tongue is at rest (where it usually is when you're not moving it), and presses gently on the sides of your lower teeth
• make the i sound (ex: see, me, free) for at least 2 beats of time
  
  
  ɪ (short i) 
• pull back your lips in a slight grimace, with a slightly larger opening separating your lips and teeth
• your tongue is at rest (minimal pressure on the sides of the lower teeth)
• make the I sound (sit, mitt, pitt) for one beat of time
  
  Ok. we've done the review. Shall we start with the drills? ^^
  

 ɪ̈ (long e)                                                                 I (short i)

peek                                                                         pick

leave                                                                          live

week                                                                       wick

steel                                                                           still

sheep                                                                        ship

seek                                                                          sick

reach                                                                         rich

 ɪ̈

1. The key to the city is with Queen Irene.
2. To live in Peking is my greatest dream.
3. Dean has always been keen on women.
4. Jean feels queenly in her peach gown.

I

1. The history of the city began with the wishes of the women.
2. When you fish, be careful of the fissure in the sea.
3. Timid Billy got his courage from chocolate chips.
4. Cut foliage can become garbage.

Tongue Twister


Peach pit, peach pit, see it as you sit.

Eat it, eat it, with an oven mitt.

Beat it, beat it, pat it, prick it.

Twist and turn it, but don't eat it!

Notes:

1. Always check your dictionaries when you are unsure of the pronunciation of a word. It's your responsibility to check what you study. I recommend any Collins Dictionary for that purpose, since we're studying American English pronunciation. ^^
2. If you're unsure of how to make the sounds of i and I, go back up to the top part of this note, or take a look at my first article, The Vowels: An Overview

Any questions? Post a comment! ^^

- Cylarea Shea

*** Thank you to my student, Miki-san who pointed out that I labeled my explanations incorrectly! (Oct. 29, 2018)