This is a short pronunciation-lesson episode (Influency Podcast, ep. 323) by Hadar Shemesh focused on multiple accepted pronunciations of the word "environment." The host explains three variants (aligned-with-spelling, vowel-before-R shift, and a reduced form omitting an internal N), demonstrates each, models sentences for practice, and gives study tips and calls-to-action to visit her website and social channels.
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Hey, welcome to the Influency Podcast. I'm Hadar, and this is episode number 323. Today we're going to talk about the different pronunciations of the word environment. Hey, welcome back and thank you so much for tuning in for another episode. So today is a quick pronunciation lesson for you on how to pronounce, like I said, the word environment. But I also want to tell you something about words that have different pronunciations or different variations, because many words do, and a lot of times they end up being somewhat controversial. I remember about a year ago I posted a video on how to pronounce febuwary and. And I posted the American pronunciation, which is without the original R Febu ary. And within a week or two, the video hit 1 million views. And not for a good reason. It was because people got so angry at me teaching it without the R. So it was wildly shared across the uk and I found it to be so funny. And then I started becoming a bit more cautious when posting videos about words that have several different pronunciations, feeling like I should be addressing it because otherwise I find that people get confused. But anyway, whenever there are a few pronunciations, you can always bet that I will share with you the one pronunciation that that I think is the easiest. And usually those pronunciations have the least amount of sounds or tricky transitions. So you can bet that I have your back when it comes to easy pronunciation. Okay, so that is the case with the word environment. There are four different pronunciations. I'm going to be teaching three in this episode. And remember that the most important thing is that you choose what's right for you. And the second most important thing is that you practice it so that you don't get stuck or you don't become self conscious. Next time you have to use the word environment. Oh, and always use it in context. Okay? Always use it in context. Put it in a sentence. Say it a few times. After this episode, I want you to create a few sentences of your own with this word so it's easier to remember. Okay, so that's it. Let's listen to today's episode.
So the first pronunciation is environment. This pronunciation is more aligned with the spelling. So let's break it down. The first syllable is in lacks I and then an n in, then vai, a V sound. And the long I as in my, that's also the primary stress. So this syllable is going to be longer, louder and higher in pitch, in vi and then run, an r, a schwa and an n. Run, run, run. Inviron and then ment. An m, a schwa, which is a reduced vowel. Nt Mint. You can also pronounce it with a healthy ment. Environment. Environment. Environment. Say it again with me. Environment. The second pronunciation. And this is where it gets tricky. Is this in virn ment. So actually the vowel shifts from after the r. This is what it seems like it in the spelling, right? R, O, n. So you think that there is a vowel after the r, but in fact what happens is that the vowel is actually pronounced before the R. Listen again. Invi er n ment. Invernent. I like to imagine as if there is a y sound that connects the VY and the earn. Environment. Invi yurn meant. Now you're probably confused because the spelling is not aligned with pronunciation, which is something that often happens in English. Think about it. Even in this word, it's not pronounced as I run, but I yearn. Exactly the same pattern. Listen, I yearn. I yearn in viern.
Environment.
And then you end it the same way. However, there is another way that makes it even easier to pronounce, and that is without the N. Listen. Invi yer.
Ment.
Invi yer. Environment. Environment. All right, now choose the pronunciation that is the easiest for you. Environment. Become part of the environment around you. Environment. They're creating a welcoming environment or environment in the mediated environment. And let's practice it in sentences. I'm going to use the third pronunciation. I support organizations that preserve and protect the environment. Recycling is a simple and effective way to help the environment and reduce waste. To improve your English, you need to create the right environment for you to succeed. What other sentences with the word environment can you think of? Write them down in the comments. All right, that's it. If you like this video, then hit like and subscribe if you haven't yet. And also come and check out my website@hadar shemesh.com where I have a ton of free resources for you and a lot of how to pronounce videos. Also, you can follow me on Instagram and on TikTok, where I share daily content. Have a beautiful, beautiful rest of the day and I will see you next week in the next video.
