How To Pronounce "debt" and other bank words | The Accent Channel
If you’re an ESL student, you know that the English language can be tricky. There are some words that just don’t seem to follow any rules when it comes to pronunciation.
When talking about money, it’s important to say what you mean and be easily understood, so in this American English Pronunciation Lesson, you will learn how to pronounce bank words
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly mispronounced banking terms and how to say them correctly.
Debt
"Debt" might be one of the trickiest words for ESL students to pronounce. It is often mispronounced as /DEHBT/ or /DEHB-tee/, but actually, the letter “b” in this word is silent. So, the correct way of saying debt is /DEHT/. It should rhyme with the word “met” = /MEHT/
Mortgage
“Mortgage” is another common word when it comes to banking terminology. Many English language learners pronounce the /T/ sound in this word but again, we are dealing with a tricky, silent letter. So, skip the /T/ in this word and make the vowel “a” in the second syllable really short. Also remember to stress the first syllable by making that /OR/ louder and longer so you’ll pronounce “mortgage” as /MOR-gidge/.
Routing Number
A routing number is that set of numbers on the bottom of a check that identifies the financial institution where the money is coming from. Many people are unsure if this term should be pronounced with an /UUUU/ or an /OW/ vowel, but the correct vowel in this situation is /OW/. So, “routing number” = /ROW-dihng NUHM-buhr/.
Check out my video on banking and financial terms to hear these terms and learn more! The more you practice, the less you will have to think about the correct pronunciation of these words when you are having a real conversation.
As you practice:
- Look away from the words as much as you can.
- Speak naturally. Pretend you are talking to a friend.
- Try to imitate the intonation (change in pitch) or music that you hear.
- Notice which syllable is stressed or emphasized and make the vowel louder and longer in that syllable.
- Repeat this lesson frequently to permanently change your pronunciation habits of these words.
Knowing how to properly pronounce banking terms can be very useful in everyday life since so many financial transactions require these words in their conversations and documents. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you are sure to feel more confident speaking about finances in English!
