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Why English sounds like one long word
In many languages, there's a tiny pause between each word. In English, words flow into each other. This is called linking, and it's the main reason native speech sounds so fast. There are three main linking patterns: 1. **Consonant to Vowel**: The consonant at the end of one word connects to the vowel at the start of the next. 2. **Vowel to Vowel**: A glide sound (/w/ or /y/) appears between two vowels. 3. **Consonant to Same/Similar Consonant**: The two sounds merge into one.
turn_it_off → "tur-ni-toff"
Consonant-vowel linking: N links to I, T links to O.
go_away → "go-waway"
A /w/ glide appears between the two vowels.
black_coat → "bla-coat"
The two K sounds merge into one.