pronunciation - Must the tongue contact the alveolar ridge anteriorly in order to pronounce /t/ properly?


Some textbooks teach that when making the t sound, the front and sides of the tongue contact the alveolar ridge anteriorly and laterally.


However, I feel very uncomfortable if I do that when pronouncing t. I feel much more comfortable putting the tip of my tongue between my lower and upper teeth to pronounce a t.


Is it alright to put the tip of the tongue between the lower and upper teeth when pronouncing t?



Answer



You are describing a dental t as opposed to an alveolar t. Most varieties of English use an alveolar t, so using a dental will mark you (for most people) as a foreigner; but it will be perfectly well understood. (Some speakers of South African English use dental consonants).


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