How to Pronounce: Economic, Health, Crisis and Disease

How to improve English pronunciation: Due to the global crisis of COVID-19, I have set out to help business professionals in pronouncing some of the toughest words often used to describe the pandemic. Many are advanced speakers, but they are often unable to pronounce keywords in the areas of expertise and research. For me, this is critical for global understanding, especially as we communicate more and more by video conference and the need to speak clearly for our listeners is extremely important. 

Time Stamps
0:17 economic

1:21 health

1:57 crisis

2:41 disease

This is the first of three videos where I will share with you how to pronounce difficult words relating to the global crisis. In this video, you will learn to pronounce the words economic, crisis, health, and disease. You will also learn what the sounds are in each syllable for each word. Timestamps are available for each word below. Yes! The pronunciation of English vowels, silent consonants and word stress can be a challenge.

To see the second video where I teach you how to pronounce the words headaches, coughs, breathing, throat, and blood, click here. To see the third video where I teach you how to pronounce the words analyses, unanswered and debt, click here.

Not only is knowing how to pronounce English words correctly empowering, but it also means your listeners understand you first time and they can focus on your messages and not on understanding your words. Accent reduction is not necessary, but clarity of speech is.

Transcription:

Hi, my name is Melanie Hussell and here's the first of my three videos on how to pronounce some key words used to describe our current global crisis. Now let's look at the text and the words highlighted in colour today. We're going to look at four words. 

First word, economic. How many syllables in this word? Ec - o - nom - ic. Four syllables. Now let's have a look at the sounds of each of these syllables first syllable (e) eh as an egg, (c) ke. Now let's look at this second syllable, uh, as the beginning of about. Short vowel, unstressed. Now let's look at the third syllable. (n) ne, o, as in on, mm, nom. Now let's look at the final syllable. i- short vowel, as in it, (c) ke. Now let's put these together ec - o - nom - ic. Where is the stress economic it's on the third syllable. 

Second word. Health, how many syllables health? Yes, just one. Let's look at the sounds first sound, h. Second sound (ea) eh, for egg, short vowel. Third sound L. Fourth sound. T H can you see my tongue? Thhh. Let's put them together. Health.

Third word crisis. How many syllables? Cri - sis, two syllables. Now let's look at the sounds in those syllables. First syllable (c) ca, (r) ra, eye long vowel. Second syllable, sis. (s) ss, i- short vowel as an it, ss, sis. Where is the stress cri - sis. Crisis? It's on the first syllable, crisis. 

Now let's look at the final word disease. How many syllables disease? Two syllables. Now let's look at the sounds in those syllables. First syllable, di, i-, as an it, short vowel. Let's have a look at the second syllable, zz, ee, long vowel as in see, last sound zz.

Now let's put those two together di - sease. Where is the stress? Disease it's on the second syllable. 

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And if you are looking to discuss your organisation’s (corporate, NGOs, Associations and Universities) Business English communication needs (including Pronunciation support) or Presentation skills, I offer free 30-minute consultations through my site. I’d love to meet you.

Have a nice day.

Melanie Hussell empowers professionals to present with confidence, share their great ideas and make bigger impact on their organisations. 

She has over 16 years of European corporate experience in several sectors across Europe. Melanie virtually coaches clients on their Business English all over the world including but not limited to companies in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the United States. Melanie’s passion in linguistics, pronunciation, and presentation skills allows her to help professionals to become more effective when they communicate. As a remote coach, Melanie is always nearby to assist you and your team.    

Melanie can help and guide you, step by step, with her expertise and enthusiasm to refine your communication skills. Given that 4 out of 5 English speakers are non-native, she trains her clients on the 4 pillars of communication - Language, Pronunciation, Presentation, and Voice and Body. Through Melanie’s coaching, you will be ready for 'the new future' and help you make the difference you want, both for yourself and your organisation.