Pronunciation: Assimilation of /d/ to /g/

Tim’s back in his pronunciation workshop. This time he’s finding out what happens to a /d/ sound when it is followed by a /g/ or a /k/. For more, visit our website: Transcript: Tim Hi. I’m Tim and this is my Pronunciation workshop. Here I’m going to show you how English is really spoken. Come on, let’s go inside. In English, we have an expression – man’s best friend. Do you know what that refers to? Voice Beer?! Tim No, not beer. Dogs. A dog is man’s best friend. But not always. What would you say to a dog who did this? Voxpops Bad girl! She’s a bad girl! The dog has been a bad girl! Tim Now, the word bad ends in the sound /d/, doesn’t it? Or does it? Watch and listen again. Can you hear the /d/? Voxpops Bad girl! She’s a bad girl! The dog has been a bad girl! Tim In fluent speech, a /d/ changes to a /g/ when it comes before a /g/ or a /k/. So /bad girl/ becomes /bagirl/. This is an example of assimilation. And here are some more examples. Examples He’s a really good cook. Last night we had guests for dinner. Can you print out the hard copy? I’d love to walk down the red carpet one day. Tim Right, so you’ve heard some examples, now it’s your turn. You know the drill: Listen and repeat. Examples He’s a really good cook. Last night we had guests for dinner. Can you print out the hard copy? I’d love to walk down the red carpet one day. Tim Well done. Now remember, if you want to learn more about pronunciation, then please visit our website, bbclearningenglish dot com. And that is about it from the workshop for now. I’ll see you soon. Bye! Now, you know what, I’m not really that keen on dogs, I’m more of a cat person. Oh no, no, no that was just a joke - good girl, good girl, aaah! Oh, very funny. You’re actually quite cute. Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl? Argh! Bad girl!