Intrusion: The added sounds between words

What is intrusion in pronunciation?

Intrusion is a common feature of connected speech in English. It happens when a speaker adds an extra sound between two words to make pronunciation smoother. The added sounds are usually /w/, /j/, or /r/. Intrusion occurs when one word ends in a vowel sound and the next word also begins with a vowel sound.

This feature makes speech more natural and fluid, preventing awkward pauses between words.

Common types of intrusion

There are three main types of intrusion:

1. /w/ intrusion – when a speaker inserts a /w/ sound between two vowel sounds.

   • Example: "Go on" → /ɡəʊ wɒn/

   • Example: "You are" → /juː wɑː/

2. /j/ intrusion – when a speaker inserts a /j/ (a 'y' sound) between two vowel sounds.

   • Example: "I agree" → /aɪ jəˈɡriː/

   • Example: "They are" → /ðeɪ jɑː/

3. /r/ intrusion – when a speaker inserts an /r/ sound between two vowel sounds, even if there is no 'r' in spelling.

   

   • Example: "Law and order" → /lɔː rən ˈɔːdə/

   • Example: "Saw it" → /sɔː rɪt/

Why does intrusion happen?

Intrusion occurs because it is easier for the mouth to move smoothly between words rather than making a sudden stop. English speakers naturally link words together to maintain a rhythm, making speech sound more connected and fluent.

Practical examples and exercises

Try saying the following sentences naturally and notice how intrusion occurs:

1. Listen and repeat:

   • "She is arriving soon." → /ʃiː jɪz əˈraɪvɪŋ suːn/

   • "Go out and play." → /ɡəʊ waʊt ən pleɪ/

   • "The idea is interesting." → /ði aɪˈdɪə rɪz ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

2. Read aloud and focus on linking words smoothly:

   • "I always eat apples." → /aɪ jɔːlweɪz iːt ˈæplz/

   • "Draw a picture." → /drɔː rə ˈpɪktʃə/

   • "No oranges left." → /nəʊ wɒrɪndʒɪz left/

3. Listening practice:

   • Find audio clips of native speakers and pay attention to how they use intrusion in sentences.

   • Repeat after them to practice smooth pronunciation.

Final tips

• Don’t force the sounds; let them occur naturally as you speak faster.

• Listen to native English speakers and try to mimic their speech patterns.

• Record yourself speaking and compare it to native pronunciation.

By practicing intrusion, your English pronunciation will sound more natural and connected. Keep practicing, and soon, you will use intrusion automatically in conversation!