The first thing to learn for someone who dreams of mastering English is, of course, the English alphabet. We'll talk about him. Since there is a lot of information, I have divided it into sections.
Letters of the English alphabet.
The modern English alphabet has 26 letters (in English, letters are called letters or characters - chars for short). Each letter can be uppercase (uppercase / large) and lowercase (lowercase / small). Latin letters became the basis for the English alphabet.
The exact shape of the printed letters depends on the font.
Lettering of the English alphabet.
I highlighted the vowels in red and the consonants in blue.
The sound of the letters of the English alphabet differs in different options. So the last letter Z in the English pronunciation sounds [zed] /, and in the American - [zi] /. The British pronounce "zed" because the letter is derived from the Greek letter "Zeta", which passed into Old French as "zede", from where it migrated to the English alphabet in the 15th century as "zed".
Americans pronounce the letter “z” as by analogy with the names of other letters: B, C, D, etc. The first American pronunciation of the letter “z” was recorded in Lye's New Spelling Book in 1677. This decision was long disputed, but was fully accepted in 1827 after Webster's publications.
Today, most of those who study the English alphabet also call this letter. Most likely, this trend is explained by the fact that in most songs about the alphabet it is sung precisely, since it is easier to choose a rhyme for this pronunciation.
— Now I know my A-B-Cs
— Next time won't you sing with me?
But the British are not far behind, and today the end of the song is also common
Sugar on your bread. Eat it all up before you are dead.
English humor, right?
English alphabet uppercase letters.
Pay attention to the new trend of writing a capital letter A. Today it is customary to write it in the same way as a small letter, although earlier it was written similar to the Russian capital A. Here is a variant of the old spelling.
It is worth saying that among those who study the English alphabet in other countries, few people use capital letters. This trend is also observed in countries where English is native. Look at two handwritten texts. In the first version, ordinary letters are used for writing, connected in a letter in a way that is convenient for the writer. In the second version, capital letters of the English alphabet are used, of course, with handwriting features.
And here is what a calligraphically verified version of handwritten English looks like. The written English alphabet looks exquisite.
And so write English doctors. Reminds me of something, doesn't it?
Prescriptions of the English alphabet.
I offer you a set of prescriptions for the English alphabet. Click to enlarge.
English alphabet in words.
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English alphabet with transcription and pronunciation
Vowels of the English alphabet.
There are 6 vowels in the English alphabet. Do not take to say “vowels of the English alphabet”. A letter is a form of sound. A vowel or consonant, as well as voiced, hard, soft, hissing, etc., can only be a sound. OK, let's move on to the letters of the English alphabet, which convey a vowel sound. These are A, E, I, O, Y, U - a total of 6. Each letter can express several sounds.
- [ı:] - long and;
- [ı] - short and;
- [ɜ:] – wide e;
- [ıə] - ie;
- [α:] - long
- [e] - short E
- [əυ] - eu;
- [ɒ] – short o;
- - long y;
- [ʌ] - short a;
- [ᴐ:] – long o.
- - yu;
- [ʌ] - short a;
- [u] - short y.
This is how the vowels of the English alphabet are read. Let's move on to consonants.
Consonants of the English alphabet.
There are 20 consonants in the English alphabet.
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[s] / [c] before vowels i, e, y |
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/ [j] before e, i, y |
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[h] / [x] simple exhalation |
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[ŋ] / [nasal / posterior n] before g and sometimes before k |
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/ [kv] combined qu |
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[r] - sound, something between r and very hard Russian zh; pronounced without vibration. Often not pronounced at all |
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[z] / [z] at the end of a word after a vowel or voiced consonant, sometimes in the middle of a word between 2 vowels |
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[w] - a sound similar to [uv] |
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/ [gz] before a stressed vowel [z] / [z] - sometimes at the beginning of a word |
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History of the English alphabet.
The evolution of the English alphabet is evident over the last 1500 years. Although the modern English alphabet contains 26 letters, there used to be more.
After the 6th century, when Christian monks began to transliterate Anglo-Saxon using Latin characters, they encountered some difficulties. Anglo-Saxon contained several sounds that could not be written in Latin. Therefore, the monks borrowed three old runes: ð (interdental voiced z), þ (interdental voiceless s), and Ƿ (winn, analogous to modern W). The presence of these runes, ligatures (combinations of letters) æ and œ, as well as the absence of J and Y is one of the characteristic features of the Anglo-Saxon alphabet. Look at the Beowulf manuscript.
Under the influence of Norman writing, the runic character of the English alphabet gradually faded away and the letters ð, þ and Ƿ soon disappeared. Instead of Ƿ, they began to use the double V -> VV, which gradually became an independent letter W as a result of the use of printing presses.
How did Y and J join the English alphabet? Y and U are derived from V, as a result of the differentiation of consonants and vowels. J is derived from I.
With characteristic ingenuity, Benjamin Franklin tried to improve the English alphabet. He suggested removing c, j, q, w, x, and y as they could be replaced by other letters. He also suggested adding six letters of his own invention. But Franklin's alphabet didn't catch on.
Today, the most common letters of the English alphabet are e, t, a, o. The rarest are x, q, z.
Someday you may be asked to spell your first name, last name or any other word in English, and if you know english alphabet, then you can easily cope with this task.
Let's start learning the alphabet in English language using the table below, and at the end we will do a small exercise to consolidate the English alphabet.
| № | Letter | Name | Transcription | |
| 1 | aa | a | ||
| 2 | bb | bee | ||
| 3 | CC | cee | ||
| 4 | Dd | dee | ||
| 5 | ee | e | ||
| 6 | FF | ef | [ɛf] | |
| 7 | gg | Gee | ||
| 8 | hh | aitch | ||
| 9 | II | i | ||
| 10 | jj | Jay | ||
| 11 | Kk | kay | ||
| 12 | Ll | el | [ɛl] | |
| 13 | mm | em | [ɛm] | |
| 14 | Nn | en | [ɛn] | |
| 15 | Oh | o | [əʊ] | |
| 16 | pp | pee | ||
| 17 | cue | |||
| 18 | Rr | ar | [ɑɹ] | |
| 19 | Ss | ess | [ɛs] | |
| 20 | Tt | tee | ||
| 21 | Uu | u | ||
| 22 | vv | vee | ||
| 23 | www | double-u | [ˈdʌb(ə)l juː] | |
| 24 | xx | ex | [ɛks] | |
| 25 | Yy | wy | ||
| 26 | Zz | zed |
Very easy to learn the English alphabet in songs
Below is the most popular song in the world for learning the English alphabet.
English alphabet exercise
Using the letters of the English alphabet, read and write down your first name, last name spelled out.
Historical stages in the formation of the English alphabet and the English language in general
English belongs to the Germanic group, and in its composition is included in the group of Indo-European languages. The official language is in the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. In addition, it is actively used in India, and many countries in Asia and Africa. It is the main one in the work processes of the UN mission.
Old English formative stage
The appearance of the English language dates back to the 5th-6th century. in. n. e., since during this period the ancient Germanic tribes began to move to Britain. The constant communication of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes and the native inhabitants of Britain, the Celts, leads to the appearance of dialectical forms. At this stage, English is called Anglo-Saxon and there are 4 dialects: Northumbrian, Mercian, Wessex and Kentish. The language of literature was mainly formed on the basis of the Wesex dialect.
In the 6th century, the establishment of Christianization in Britain begins. The Latin alphabet is introduced, writing appears, the names of geographical objects are left from the Celts. Periodic attacks by the Scandinavians since the 8th century. introduced many words from Scandinavian into the language and changed the structure of grammar.
Middle English stage of development
The Middle English period began in 1016 with the conquest of Britain by the Normans. And it continued until the end of the 15th century, until the end of the Wars of the Roses. English temporarily becomes the language of commoners, as the conquerors brought a dialect of French - the Norman language. During this period, three languages function in Britain - English, Anglo-Norman and Latin. There are petitions for expanded English rights.
Printing is actively developing, which ultimately leads to phonetic and grammatical changes in the English language and sharply separates it from the Old English period. The morphological component of the language has also been simplified.
Modern stage of development
This period began in 1500 and continues today. There are two time periods - from 1500 to 1700. early modern English develops, and since 1700 the modern English alphabet has been formed. The main factors in the development of early modern English are typography and the development of learning. This is reflected in the change in the forms of words, the construction of sentences. The famous difference between printed and spoken text appears.
The language of literature based on the dialect of London is actively developing, adding its own differences to speech for conversation and for writing. In the 16th century, the Renaissance brought many words from Latin into the language.
The English language of modern times is constantly undergoing changes due to its wide distribution around the world. Simplified forms of pronunciation appear, phonetic forms change, but the English alphabet remains unchanged. There are many dialects associated with the area where English is spoken.
The vocabulary is constantly filled with borrowed words. There is also a tendency to restore the dialectical types of the English language as monuments of indigenous culture. In contrast to the desire for a standard form in the last century. The English language continues to change due to the expansion of the cultural community and the use of oral forms of communication in written speech.
Nowadays, there are variants of the English language for Britain, America and Australia, in which a difference in pronunciation and spelling of words has formed.
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There are 26 letters in English. In different combinations and positions, they represent 44 sounds.
In English, 24 consonants are distinguished, and they are transmitted in writing by 20 letters: Bb; cc; Dd; ff; Gg ; hh; Jj; kk; LI; mm; Nn; pp; Qq; Rr; Ss; Tt; vv; ww; xx; Zz.
In English, 12 vowels and 8 diphthongs are distinguished, and they are transmitted in writing by 6 letters: Aa; ee; li; Oh; Uu; Yy. 
Video:
[English language. Initial course. Maria Rarenko. First educational channel.]
Transcription and stress
Phonetic transcription is an international system of signs used to show exactly how words should be pronounced. Each sound is displayed with a separate icon. These icons are always written in square brackets.
In transcription, verbal stress is indicated (which syllable in the word is stressed). accent sign [‘]
placed before the stressed syllable.
English consonants
- Features of English consonants
- English consonants transmitted by letters b, f, g, m, s, v, z, close in pronunciation to the corresponding Russian consonants, but should sound more energetic and tense.
- English consonants are not softened.
- Voiced consonants are never stunned - neither before voiceless consonants, nor at the end of a word.
- Double consonants, that is, two identical consonants side by side, are always pronounced as one sound.
- Some English consonants are pronounced with a breath: the tip of the tongue must be pressed firmly against the alveoli (the bumps where the teeth attach to the gum). Then the air between the tongue and teeth will pass with effort, and you will get a noise (explosion), that is, aspiration.
Rules for reading consonants in English:,
| Table of pronunciation of English consonants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | |
| [b] | b ad, b ox | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [b] in the word b rat |
| [p] | o p en, p et | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [n] in the word P ero but pronounced breathy |
| [d] | d i d, d ay | voiced sound similar to Russian [d] in the word d ohm, but more energetic, "sharper"; when pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue rests on the alveoli |
| [t] | t ea, t ake | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [t] in the word T hermos, but pronounced aspirated, while the tip of the tongue rests on the alveoli |
| [v] | v oice, v isit | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [in] in the word in osc but more energetic |
| [f] | f ind, f ine | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [f] in the word f inic but more energetic |
| [z] | z oo, ha s | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [з] in the word h ima |
| [s] | s un, s ee | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [s] in the word from silt but more energetic; when pronouncing, the tip of the tongue is raised to the alveoli |
| [g] | g ive, g o | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [r] in the word G Irya but pronounced softer |
| [k] | c at, c an | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [k] in the word to mouth, but pronounced more energetically and aspirated |
| [ʒ] | vi si on, plea sur e | voiced sound corresponding to Russian [zh] in the word well macaw, but pronounced more intensely and softer |
| [ʃ] | sh e, Ru ss ia | deaf sound corresponding to Russian [w] in the word w ina, but is pronounced softer, for which you need to raise the middle part of the back of the tongue to the hard palate |
| [j] | y ellow, y ou | a sound similar to the Russian sound [th] in the word th one, but pronounced more energetically and intensely |
| [l] | l itt l e, l ike | sound similar to Russian [l] in the word l isa, but you need the tip of the tongue to touch the alveoli |
| [m] | m an, m erry | a sound similar to Russian [m] in a word m ir but more energetic; when pronouncing it, you need to close your lips tightly |
| [n] | n oh, n ame | sound similar to Russian [n] in the word n os, but when it is pronounced, the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli, and the soft palate is lowered, and air passes through the nose |
| [ŋ] | si ng, fi ng er | a sound in which the soft palate is lowered and touches the back of the back of the tongue, and air passes through the nose. To pronounce it like Russian [ng] is wrong; should be nasal |
| [r] | r ed, r abbit | a sound, during the pronunciation of which the raised tip of the tongue should touch the middle part of the palate, above the alveoli; tongue does not vibrate |
| [h] | h elp, h ow | a sound reminiscent of Russian [x] as in the word X aos, but almost silent (slightly audible exhalation), for which it is important not to press the tongue against the palate |
| [w] | w et, w inter | a sound similar to very quickly pronounced Russian [ue] in the word ue ls; at the same time, the lips need to be rounded and pushed forward, and then vigorously pushed apart |
| j ust, j ump | a sound similar to [j] in a Russian loan word j insy, but more energetic and softer. You can not pronounce separately [d] and [ʒ] | |
| ch eck, mu ch | a sound similar to Russian [h] in a word h ace but stronger and more intense. You cannot pronounce [t] and [ʃ] separately | |
| [ð] | th is, th ey | a sonorous sound, when pronouncing which the tip of the tongue must be placed between the upper and lower teeth and then quickly removed. Do not clamp the flat tongue with your teeth, but slightly push it into the gap between them. This sound (since it is voiced) is pronounced with the participation of the vocal cords. Similar to Russian [z] interdental |
| [θ] | th ink, seven th | a voiceless sound that is pronounced the same as [ð], but without a voice. Similar to Russian [s] interdental |
English vowel sounds
- The reading of each vowel depends on:
- from other letters standing next to it, in front of it or behind it;
- from being in a shock or unstressed position.
Rules for reading vowels in English:,
| Table of pronunciation of simple English vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | Approximate matches in Russian |
| [æ] | c a t, bl a ck | a short sound, intermediate between the Russian sounds [a] and [e]. To get this sound, you need to pronounce Russian [a], open your mouth wide, and place your tongue low. Pronouncing just Russian [e] is wrong |
| [ɑ:] | ar m, f a ther | a long sound similar to Russian [a], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, as it were, but do not open your mouth wide, while pulling your tongue back |
| [ʌ] | c u p, r u n | a short sound similar to Russian unstressed [a] in the word from but dy. To get this sound, you need, while pronouncing Russian [a], almost do not open your mouth, while stretching your lips a little and pushing your tongue back a little. Pronouncing just Russian [a] is wrong |
| [ɒ] | n o t,h o t | a short sound similar to Russian [o] in the word d about m, but when pronouncing it, you need to completely relax your lips; for Russian [o] they are slightly tense |
| [ɔ:] | sp o rt, f ou r | a long sound similar to Russian [o], but it is much longer and deeper. When pronouncing it, you need to yawn, as it were, with your mouth half open, and tighten and round your lips. |
| [ə] | a bout, a lias | a sound that is often found in Russian is always in an unstressed position. In English, this sound is also always unstressed. It does not have a clear sound and is referred to as a vague sound (it cannot be replaced by any clear sound) |
| [e] | m e t,b e d | a short sound similar to Russian [e] under stress in words such as uh ti, pl e d etc. English consonants cannot be softened before this sound. |
| [ɜː] | w or k,l ear n | this sound does not exist in Russian, and it is very difficult to pronounce. Reminds me of Russian sound in words m yo d, St. yo cla, but you need to pull it much longer and at the same time stretch your lips strongly without opening your mouth (you get a skeptical smile) |
| [ɪ] | i t, p i t | a short sound similar to a Russian vowel in a word w And be. You have to pronounce it abruptly. |
| h e, s ee | a long sound similar to Russian [and] under stress, but longer, and they pronounce it as if with a smile, stretching their lips. A Russian sound close to it is present in the word verse ai | |
| [ʊ] | l oo k, p u t | a short sound that can be compared with the Russian unstressed [u], but it is pronounced energetically and with completely relaxed lips (lips cannot be pulled forward) |
| bl u e, f oo d | a long sound, quite similar to the Russian percussion [y], but still not the same. To make it work, you need, while pronouncing Russian [y], do not stretch your lips into a tube, do not push them forward, but round and smile slightly. Like other long English vowels, it needs to be drawn much longer than Russian [y] | |
| Diphthong pronunciation table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phonetic transcription | Examples | Approximate matches in Russian |
| f i ve, ey e | diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in Russian words ah And h ah | |
| [ɔɪ] | n oi se, v oi ce | somehow. The second element, sound [ɪ], is very short |
| br a ve, afr ai d | diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word w to her ka. The second element, sound [ɪ], is very short | |
| t ow n, n ow | diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word from ay on the. The first element is the same as in ; the second element, sound [ʊ], very short | |
| [əʊ] | h o me, kn ow | diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in a Russian word class OU n, if you do not deliberately pronounce it in syllables (at the same time, the consonance resembles eu ). Pronouncing this diphthong as a pure Russian consonance [oh] is wrong |
| [ɪə] | d ea r,h e re | diphthong, similar to a combination of sounds in the Russian word such; consists of short sounds [ɪ] and [ə] |
| wh e re, th e re | diphthong, similar to the combination of sounds in the Russian word long-necked, if you do not pronounce it in syllables. Behind the sound, reminiscent of Russian [e] in the word uh then, the second element follows, an obscure short sound [ə] | |
| [ʊə] | t ou r,p oo r | a diphthong in which [ʊ] is followed by a second element, an indistinct short sound [ə]. When pronouncing [ʊ], the lips cannot be pulled forward |
Dear reader, if before learning English you got acquainted with the names of Latin letters in chemistry or physics ( H 2 O - "ASH-Two-O", mv 2 /2 - "EM-VE Square in Half") or at least when playing chess ( e2-e4 - "E Two - E Four"), then the transcription English letters may have come as an unpleasant surprise to you.
Out of habit, such names of English letters as A - "hey", E - "and", I - "ay" And R - "a"(in the latter case the sound " R"although it is implied, it is very often not pronounced or pronounced very quietly). And the Latin letter W, which in Russian is traditionally called " double-ve", in English called " double", i.e " double U", although its bottom edge in the printed image has two sharp, not rounded protrusions. This was because in the old days U And V did not differ. And there are also differences between American, British and Scottish English, between official speech and colloquial.
And still not to be confused with G - "ji", J - "jay" And H - "h", and explain to especially gifted telephone interlocutors that "pi"- this P, not a Greek letter π (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter ( ≈3,14 ), while π pronounce in english "share".
Perfect automatic knowledge of the names of English letters is a very important skill that should not be neglected when learning English. Why is this necessary, isn't it better to work out with grammar or expand your vocabulary? But the pronunciation of letters is not theoretical phonetics divorced from life. The fact is that English abbreviations are almost always spelled, and you may also be asked to spell your name or some letter code ( "Could you spell your name, please?" ).
And if you do not know the names of the letters, then you will have to blush and mumble something unintelligible. And some English abbreviations entered the Russian language with incorrect pronunciation, for example VIP should be pronounced like "wee-ah-pee", but already rooted in Russian as "VIP". When abbreviations have several identical letters in a row, they are often pronounced using the words "double-" ("double") and triple- ("triple"), for example, when you need to give an address on the Internet, www pronounced "triple double-u".
But what if you need to pronounce some letter code in radio traffic in the airspace, or at sea? It is impossible to allow misunderstandings and hitches in the negotiations between pilots and the air traffic controller, or in negotiations between the English-speaking military and their non-English-speaking allies, so that the artilleryman does not mix up the code for the square "i" how "e".
To avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding, a code is used to represent letters with words, known as "NATO code"(phonetic alphabet of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO). Surprisingly, even this code has flaws in certain situations, which is why in some cases the names of the letters in it had to be replaced.
And if you want the English alphabet with transcription to unobtrusively scroll before your eyes every time you go to Yandex, then you can install a Yandex widget for yourself that will scroll the letters of the alphabet forward, backward or randomly.
