Learning Japanese in a home with three native speakers, I expect them to laugh at me a lot, as I make a lot of mistakes. A LOT of mistakes…sometimes they are practically rolling on the floor, and between catching thier breath and the next bout of giggles, they correct me.
But this evening something different came up. Apparently my pronunciation of ら, り, る and れ is incorrect but ろ is ok. It doesn’t seem to matter how I place my tongue in my mouth, it comes out the same way.
I can’t tell the difference in how they say it, compared to how I say it, but all three of them were trying to get me to pronounce it right, without success.
Any tips on what I might be doing wrong or how to correct it?
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August 22, 2009 at 8:59 pm
tokyo5
The reason Japanese can’t differentiate between “L” and “R” in English words is because the closest sound in Japanese is 「ら、り、る、れ、ろ」…which are pronounced kinda like a cross between “L” and “R”.
Maybe if you think of them as closer to la, li, lu, le, lo, it might be easier to say them properly.
Other ones that non-Japanese have a hard time with are 「つ」, 「りゅ」, 「りょ」…as well as when to use the “small tsu” and 「う」 or 「ー」.
August 22, 2009 at 9:59 pm
becomingjapanese
Yes, that’s how I already try to pronounce them. If I inadvertently use an “r” sound they really look at me funny…
there are a lot of subtleties in spoken Japanese that I often can’t even hear unless it’s very slowly pronounced.
September 2, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Paul
If you’re pronouncing them with a distinctive “l” or “r” sound, you’re a bit off. It should sound like a blend between the two. This is why Japanese people have trouble with “r” and “l” in English – they are both the same sound in Japanese.
September 19, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Katie
I’ve been struggling with this too – I’m not sure if it’s the right idea, but I try to completely limit the use of my tongue and lips when I pronounce Japanese. As in nearly frozen. Otherwise I revert back to western sounds like ‘r’ and ‘l’. It’s crazy how much English works that area – I feel like a clown when I go back to speaking English after mimicking Japanese people on movies and shows.
September 20, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Louis
Shinpai nai de! At least you are making an effort.
Gambate Kudasai!
November 11, 2009 at 6:56 pm
goshinbi
Try this, make a flicking motion toward the top of your mouth at the edge of your gums, and once it hits the top of your mouth move your tongue backwards.