pronunciation - is it possible to raise the tip while raising the back and lowering the center of the tongue when making /R/ sound?


Following this video, this is how we correctly make the r sound:



  • Let the throat vibrate since it is voiced.

  • Round the lip a little.

  • Raise the tip of the tongue towards the hard bump behind the upper front teeth, but do not let the tip of tongue touch the bump. This also makes the center of the tongue go down.

  • The back part of the tongue is raised because you pull it into a tight ball

  • Fold and raise the sides of the tongue so they touch the upper side-teeth.


If we follow the above requirement, our tongue should have an s shape when we pronounce the r sound as depicted in the following sketch:


crude sketch of the buccal cavity


Is it possible to raise the tip while raising the back and lowering the center of the tongue when making an r sound?


How do native speakers make an r?


P.S. My tongue is very short anyway!




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