Hi! Today I want to talk about the cadence, reduction and linking of the common phrase What did you want? in American English.
Cadence is the rhythm and pitch of spoken English. We stress certain words and syllables, and reduce and link others.
It is common to reduce the phrase “What did you want?” to “WHADJA WANT?” This is why it is not always easy to understand native English speakers or American tv shows.
So listen and practice these phrases aloud. Notice the reduction and linking, and how the words and sounds blend together.
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
Notice the linking and reduction. Whadja, Whadja.
Keep practicing! Cadence is learned through lots of repetition.
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
What did you want?
When you master the cadence, reduction and linking of American English you can speak with confidence and your listening skills will improve dramatically.
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