Have you ever noticed that Americans don't always pronounce a clear /t/ sound? In words like 'button', 'mountain', and 'kitten', the T often becomes a strange catch in the throat. This phenomenon is called T-glottalization, and it's a key feature of natural American English speech.
What Is a Glottal Stop?
A glottal stop [ʔ] is a sound made by briefly closing and then opening the vocal cords in your throat. It's the sound you make:
- When you say 'uh-oh' (the catch between 'uh' and 'oh')
- At the beginning of a word that starts with a vowel, said emphatically: 'Absolutely!' [ʔæbsəluːtli]
- In the middle of the negative expression 'uh-uh' (meaning 'no')
Spanish speakers may recognize this sound from certain dialects where 's' becomes a glottal stop, or from the pause between repeated vowels.
When Does T Become a Glottal Stop?
T-glottalization typically occurs in these environments:
1. Before Syllabic N
This is the most common environment. When T comes before an 'n' that forms its own syllable:
2. At the End of Words (Before a Pause or Consonant)
T at the end of words often becomes a glottal stop, especially before a pause or another consonant:
3. Before Other Consonants
T often becomes a glottal stop before other consonants within words:
How to Produce a Glottal Stop
Follow these steps to produce a glottal stop:
- Say 'uh-oh' naturally. Feel the catch in your throat between the two syllables.
- Isolate that catch. That's the glottal stop [ʔ].
- Practice replacing T with that catch in words like 'button'.
- The tongue doesn't touch the roof of your mouth; the closure happens in your throat.
Glottalization vs. Other T Sounds
In American English, T can be pronounced in several ways depending on its position:
| Environment | T Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Word-initial, stressed | Aspirated [tʰ] | top, time |
| Between vowels | Flap [ɾ] | water, better |
| Before syllabic N | Glottal stop [ʔ] | button, kitten |
| Word-final | Glottal stop [ʔ] or unreleased [t̚] | what, that |
| After S | Unaspirated [t] | stop, stand |
Common Phrases with Glottalization
Practice these common phrases where glottalization naturally occurs:
- What's that? → /wʌʔs ðæʔ/
- I forgot → /aɪ fɚˈɡɑʔ/
- Wait a minute → /weɪʔ ə ˈmɪnɪʔ/
- That's not right → /ðæʔs nɑʔ raɪʔ/
- Get out → /ɡeʔ aʊʔ/
- I don't know → /aɪ doʊnʔ noʊ/
Why This Matters for Spanish Speakers
Understanding and producing glottalization helps you:
- Understand native speakers better: Native speakers use glottalization constantly in casual speech
- Sound more natural: Over-pronouncing every T sounds formal or foreign
- Improve listening comprehension: Words like 'button' and 'mountain' can be confusing if you expect a clear T
Practice Tips
- Start with 'uh-oh': Use this as your reference for the glottal stop feeling
- Practice T + N words: button, kitten, written, cotton, mitten
- Listen to podcasts: American English podcasts are full of glottalization
- Don't overdo it: Glottalization is natural; forcing it sounds unnatural
- Record yourself: Compare your pronunciation to native speakers
T-glottalization is a subtle but important feature of American English. Once you start noticing it, you'll hear it everywhere!