The phonetic transcription of "fluttered" in American English is /ˈflʌtərd/. This representation uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to accurately capture the sounds of the word as commonly spoken.
Understanding the Pronunciation
To better understand its pronunciation, "fluttered" can be conceptualized by breaking it down into an initial "flut" sound followed by an "uhd" sound. When vocalized, exaggerating these parts can help in grasping the nuances of its articulation.
The word "fluttered" consists of several distinct sounds:
- ˈflʌ: The primary stressed syllable.
- tər: The unstressed middle syllable, featuring a common American English sound.
- d: The final consonant sound.
Detailed Breakdown of Sounds
Here's a detailed breakdown of each sound segment within /ˈflʌtərd/:
| IPA Symbol | Sound Description | Example Word (American English) |
|---|---|---|
| /f/ | Voiceless labiodental fricative | fan |
| /l/ | Alveolar lateral approximant | light |
| /ʌ/ | Open-mid back unrounded vowel (as in "cup") | cut |
| /ɾ/ | Flapped T (Alveolar tap or flap). This is a quick sound, like a soft "d." | butter, water |
| /ər/ | R-colored schwa (unstressed r-colored vowel) | butter, teacher |
| /d/ | Voiced alveolar stop | dog |
A key characteristic of "fluttered" in American English is the "flapped t" sound /ɾ/. This occurs when the "t" sound falls between a stressed vowel (like the /ʌ/ in "flut") and an unstressed syllable or syllabic consonant (like the /ər/ in "tered"). It's a quick, light tap of the tongue against the alveolar ridge, sounding almost like a "d."
Tips for Accurate Pronunciation
Mastering the pronunciation of "fluttered" involves recognizing and correctly articulating its component sounds:
- Start with "Flu-": Begin with the clear /fl/ consonant cluster followed by the /ʌ/ vowel, as in "fluff."
- Embrace the Flap T: Pay close attention to the "tt" sound. It's not a hard /t/ but a soft, quick flap /ɾ/. Practice saying words like "butter" or "water" to get a feel for this sound.
- Finish with "tered": The "er" sound is the r-colored schwa /ər/, followed by a distinct /d/ sound at the very end.
By consciously practicing these individual sound components and then blending them smoothly, you can achieve an accurate American English pronunciation of "fluttered."
