Squirrel: Pronunciation in American English

4 May 2022 · 1 min

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Short video transcript of two speakers discussing how to pronounce the English word "squirrel", describing the sequence of sounds (s, k, w, r), a schwa and a dark l, and noting variations in pronunciation. The speakers give phonetic guidance and examples (e.g., comparing to "worked") and repeat lines for emphasis.

Chapters

How to pronounce the.
Word squirrel.
You start with an s sound, then the k Sk. From here you shift to the w sound, W squ. Then we have an r in between. There is a stir.
Sound, but it.
Actually feels as if you're shifting from the w to the r directly.
Were were.
As in worked.
Or were we were squir.
The second part of the word I want you to imagine is if you're pronouncing another r, a small schwa sound and a dark l.
Roll a schwa.
Before a dark l almost sounds like an sound. Listen.
Roll squirrel. Roll squirre. Roll squirrel squirrel.
Some people might pronounce it with an is sound.
S square roll, square roll. Whatever is easier for you.