How to pronounce

english

Are you a non-native English speaker trying to learn how to pronounce English words correctly? Here are some useful tips to help you!

The word "English" can be broken down into sounds, aiding in its pronunciation for both British and American English speakers. Here are the IPA transcriptions for each:

American Pronunciation: /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
- Begins with the /ˈɪŋ/ sound, where the mouth is slightly open, and the tongue is near the front of the mouth but not touching the roof. The 'ng' sound is made by pressing the back of your tongue against the soft palate.
- Followed by the /ɡl/ part, with the 'g' sound produced by the back of the tongue pressing against the soft palate, quickly followed by the 'l' sound made by placing the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge.
- Ends with the /ɪʃ/ sound, a short 'i' sound as in "bit," followed by the 'sh' sound made by slightly parting the lips and placing the front part of the tongue close to the roof of the mouth.
British Pronunciation: /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
- The pronunciation is nearly identical to the American, with subtle differences in accent and vowel quality. The /ˈɪŋ/, /ɡl/, and /ɪʃ/ components are pronounced similarly across both accents.

Definition of

english

English (n):
1. The West Germanic language of England, now widely used in many varieties throughout the world.
2. The peoples of England or their language.
English (adj):Relating to England or its people or language.

What does it mean

english

The word "English" originates from the Old English "Englisc," derived from "Engle," the Angles. The Angles were a Germanic people who migrated to Great Britain in the 5th century, and their name comes from the Angeln peninsula in the Baltic Sea. The language "Englisc" started as a way to distinguish between the Angles and the Saxons, another Germanic tribe. Over time, as the Angles' language spread across Britain, "Englisc" evolved into "English," denoting the language and, by extension, the people and culture associated with England. The transformation of the term reflects the historical and linguistic development of the English people and their language from early Germanic roots to the global presence it has today.