Is it important to know how many letters in the English alphabet?In this article we will give an answer to this question, but also highlighted other important points.
wonder
This alphabet 26 characters, and for comparison, Russian - 33. The most frequently used letters of the alphabet - E, the least - Z.
Reading abbreviations
familiar with the rules of pronunciation of the most popular combinations.
The simplest group - abbreviations that are pronounced according to the names of characters.These include not only the BBC (BBC BBC), and USA (Yu Es Hey), EU (and NS), UK (Ju-Kay), HIV (HSBC Wee Ai).Spell read complicated abbreviations used to organize information.Some are spoken, according to their origin, that is, in Latin.
Another common group - acronyms.These abbreviations give away the initial sounds of the names of characters.There are acronyms, abbreviations, which are established only on the letter.Pronounce it as a full-fledged word, for example, St.(Street - street), Dr.(Doctor - Doctor).
How vowel sound
Answering the question: "How many letters in the English alphabet?" - Point out that only six vowels: A, E, I, Y, U, O. But the option of reading a lot more.At this affects the stress, the combination with the others, and its status (open or closed syllable).
There are four types of pronunciation:
- vowels of the English alphabet in open syllables read the same way as the letters are called.
- in closed syllables are short and expressive: A - a wide and deep "e», E - the narrow «e», I - «and», Y - «and», U - «a», O - «a».
- If the vowel is «R», then it becomes almost guttural sound.For example, «ar», as in the word star.Harder with the sound that gives E, I, Y, U, after which stands «r».Many Russian replace it with "e", but it is a gross mistake.
- Finally, the same characters can be read several combined "vowel» + re, for example, in the words of care, here, pure, fire, tyre.These sounds better to listen, they are easily digestible.
consonants
How many letters in the English alphabet whatsoever, constitute the main part of it is the consonants.They are 20, they form a sound 23, 14 of them voiced and 9 deaf.
P, b, d, t, f, k, l, m, n, v, z in any combination heard equally almost similar Russian p, b, d, t, f, k, l, m, n,a, s.Why almost?Because many of them have features of pronunciation that allow you to clearly distinguish them.
«C» and «G» are two variants of reading.Before vowels "A», «U», «O» they sound like Russian "C" and "D".In all other cases, such as "C" and "J".But it should be kept in mind that there are exceptions.
«H» is pronounced "x" at the beginning of words before vowels.But pay attention that her articulation is significantly different from the Russian equivalent.Also, this helps to form the letter sounds w, h, f in combination sh, ch, ph.
«J» corresponds to our version of "J".
Takers «Q», «R», «W» have no Russian counterparts, but usually their sound is played back without difficulty after listening to audio materials in English.Nor is straightforward reading of the letter «X», which is always the diphthong "KS".Though it is necessary to pay special attention to «R».In her pronunciation frequently they make mistakes.
«S» depending on the position may be our two choices - "C" and "Z".The second type it acquires after the other calls, as well as between vowels.As you can see, the answer to the question of how many letters in the English alphabet, much deeper than a simple arithmetic calculation.
