It’s the shape of my mouth and tongue strength I think. I’ve considered speech therapy/tongue strengthening exercises in the past for entirely different reasons, if that means anything.
It’s the “d” sound that messes me up. I could very easily say it in an American accent, but I’d sound like a blink 182 vocalist. If I try to sound authentic, my tongue often blocks any air that comes out so my speech is slowed/stuttered.
I would also struggle with rolling Rs in Spanish. I can do it on its own, really it’s difficult to do on the fly.
Do I need a speech therapist to fix my tongue or something?
5 comments
Say it slowly and exaggerated as if you were teaching it to a child. Exaggerate your mouth and sounds. Then try saying it more normally.
I notice some people try to say a word as quick as possible without really understanding or hearing the sounds they should be making. Theyre saying what they think thwyre hearing.
Practice practice practice my friend. Eventually your mouth and tongue will get used to it! You got this
I used to practice in the bathroom mirror while getting ready for school or when driving my car, places that people couldn’t really see me, until I got the hang of it.
Is だ pronounced like the da in dad here?
“I’ve considered speech therapy/tongue strengthening exercises in the past for entirely different reasons”
Are you sure it’s unrelated?
I think a speech therapist could help you a lot. From what you’re saying I imagine that you struggle in the fast transition between the /d/ and the /s/. Your tongue is supposed to block all air, then quickly changes its shape to let the air flow and form an /s/. The movement is much quicker in Japanese (even more so in something as formulaic as kudasai) than what you would encounter in American English. If you lack strength or precision, or if you don’t position your tongue correctly for either the /d/ or the /s/, I can see how it can be difficult.
You seem to be already quite aware of your speech. A therapist can help identify how you speak, put words on your difficulties, and show you exercises to have a more fluid speech.
source : had a lisp and swallowing difficulties, worked with a speech therapist, then studied to become one lol.
Can you pronounce だ as ‘the’? Might be close enough