Some avoid reductions like ‘gonna,’ thinking they sound informal or uneducated. However, these are integral to American English, even used by the President.
>> I wanna thank Paul Ryan. [3x]
>> I also wanna thank Ann. [3x]
The reduction of the word ‘to’ was also frequently used. ‘To’ can either be reduced to ‘to’, with the True T, schwa sound, or ‘to’, with the Flap T/schwa sound. Let’s see some examples.
>> The best is yet to come.
>> By the way, we have to fix that.
>> To the best campaign team.
>> Just for a chance to argue.
>> To the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina.
>> And his commitment to principle will continue to contribute to the good of our nation.
To, to, listen to these clips again.
>> The best is yet to come. [3x]
>> we have to fix that. [3x]
>> To the best campaign team. [3x]
>> to argue. [3x]
>> To the furniture worker’s child [3x]
>> And his commitment to principle [3x] will continue to contribute [3x]
Also, both men reduced the word ‘have’ to simply the schwa sound, uh. Mr. Obama said ‘may-uh’ for ‘may have’, and Mr. Romney said ‘would-uh’ for ‘would have’.
>> We may have battled fiercely
>> She would have been a wonderful first lady
May have, may have, would have, would have.
>> We may have battled fiercely [3x]
>> She would have been a wonderful first lady [3x]
There were lots of other reductions in these speeches. For example, reducing ‘for’ to ‘fer’.
>> But for the United States of America
>> I thank my sons for their tireless work.
Reducing ‘can’ to ‘kn’.
>> That’s what politics can be.
>> That can compare with what you’ve done.
And use of contractions:
>> And you’ve made me a better President.
>> Because I’m concerned about America.
Watch the speeches in full and study them. What reductions do you notice?
That’s it, and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English.
Hear the difference immediately.
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