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Sunday, September 18, 2016

Challenging Sounds: P vs. B

For some English language learners, the “P” and “B” sounds are difficult to produce. Let’s take a look at the differences and do some practice!

B and P are both bilabial plosive sounds, which means they are made by putting your lips together, then force air out of your mouth and open your mouth.

The one important and only difference is that:

B is voiced
P is unvoiced

That means that when you make a B sound, you engage your vocal chords. How do you know if your vocal chords are engaged? You will hear your voice and you can also feel your vocal chords in your throat if you put your hand on your neck. B is a little less intense sounding than P, meaning that you don’t have to force the air out of your mouth as much.

When you make a P sound, you do not engage your vocal chords. There is no sound coming from your voice. The only sound that we should hear is from the release of air coming out of your mouth, through your lips. The air “explodes” out of your mouth.

Try these minimal pairs for practice:

  • Bees / Peas
  • Belize / please
  • base / pace
  • butter / putter
  • buck / puck
  • bye / pie

Practice saying these words and differentiating them. Try recording yourself and listening to your own voice.