Pronunciation of English "v"

Question

Most sources on the Internet seem to indicate that English "v" in words like "vodka" or "raven" is /v/, identical to Polish "w" or Russian "в".
However, my pronunciation seems to differentiate between the two - I pronounce the Polish "w" as /v/ with a strong labiodental component, but English "v" is more of a /β/ sound, with lips puckered rather than touching the lower teeth. Trying to pronounce "vodka" with a Polish "w" feels unnatural and reminiscent of a sort of fake Russian accent.
Is it common for native English speakers to approximate "v" to some extent, or am I the one that's in the wrong here?

herisson · Answer

“Labiodental” refers to a consonant made with contact between the lower lip and the upper teeth. This is the case for me in “raven”. [v] therefore seems like a good transcription for English /v/.
“Bilabial” refers to a consonant made with contact between the lower lip and the upper lip. Spanish uses a bilabial fricative or approximant [β] for v and b (which are both pronounced the same) between vowels, and a bilabial plosive [b] for v and b after a nasal (as in -nv- or -mb-). I’m wondering whether you may have flipped around the meaning of [v] and [β].
I certainly don’t use anything closer to [β] in “raven”.

Pronunciation of English "v"

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question