American Accent for Native Spanish Speakers: Y and J

Native Spanish speakers sometimes have difficulty with the pronouncing words that begin with the letters y and j.  Specifically, they will switch these two consonant sounds.  It is helpful to practice each sound on its own, then try contrasting words to make sure you are putting the correct sound on the correct word.

To say the “y” sound, think of the Spanish y or ll.  This sound is called a semivowel because the tongue has limited contact with the rest of the mouth.  If you say the sound very slowly, you’ll notice it sounds like two vowel – vowel ee and vowel uh.  It slides from ee to uh – “ee-uh.”

Use the recordings to try the “y” sound by itself, in words, and in short phrases.

To say the “j” sound, we press the front of our tongue up behind our top front teeth, then open the mouth quickly and release the tongue.  The “ch” sound is made in the same way, without the voice.  If you have trouble with this sound at the start of the word, try putting a “d” before the “j” sound.

Use the recordings to try the “j” sound by itself, in words, and in short phrases.

Next, try these pairs of contrasting words.  Make sure you differentiate the “y” and “j” sounds.

yawn        John
yellow      jello
yet            jet
yoke         joke
yack          Jack
year          jeer
you'll        jewel