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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Talk about pronunciation, speech mistakes, and words borrowed from other languages.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis report uses a 2021 list of words that newsreaders often mispronounced to discuss pronunciation, borrowed words, and new colloquialisms. It includes examples such as “Omicron,” “Dalgona,” and names from sports and entertainment. The list is a historical snapshot, while the vocabulary for talking about pronunciation remains useful.
Cultural note: A pronunciation guide is an approximation, and pronunciation varies by region and by the person whose name is being said. For a person’s name, listen to how they say it or ask respectfully rather than treating an old list as definitive. Avoid mocking someone for an accent or speech mistake.
Keep exploringWhen an unfamiliar word appears, a good question is not “Why is that so hard?” but “What sounds can I listen for, and where can I check?”
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Use precise vocabulary for speech and pronunciation.
Meaning
Make the sounds of a letter or word when speaking.
Tone & use
A neutral verb. You can ask “How do you pronounce this?” when you want help with a word.
Example
“Could you show me how to pronounce the name of that Korean dessert?”
Meaning
Relating to the sounds made when people speak.
Tone & use
A phonetic spelling or guide tries to show pronunciation through sound; it may not use a universal system.
Example
“The article gives a phonetic guide, but I also listened to the speaker say the name.”
Describe a pause or error without shaming the speaker.
Meaning
Make a speaking mistake, pause, or repeat a word while trying to say it.
Tone & use
A figurative expression; it does not mean someone physically falls. Use it kindly, since everyone sometimes hesitates.
Example
“I stumbled over the technical term, so I checked its pronunciation before the presentation.”
Recognize colloquialisms and language trends.
Meaning
An informal word or expression used more often in speech than in formal writing.
Tone & use
Useful when discussing everyday language, slang, or regional expressions. A colloquialism may not be familiar to every speaker.
Example
““That movie was a blast” is a colloquialism you might hear in casual conversation.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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