When you’ve ever heard the phrase “echidna” and puzzled pronounce it, you are not alone. This distinctive Australian mammal has a reputation that may be tough to get proper. The secret is to do not forget that the “ch” is pronounced like a “ok.” So, the right pronunciation is “ih-KID-nuh.” As soon as you have received that down, you’ll impress your mates together with your data of this fascinating creature.
Echidnas are one in every of Australia’s most iconic animals. They’re coated in sharp spines, which they use to guard themselves from predators. Echidnas are additionally egg-laying mammals, which implies that they provide start to eggs as a substitute of stay younger. This makes them one in every of just a few mammals on this planet that lay eggs. Echidnas are fascinating creatures which are distinctive to Australia. Their uncommon look and habits make them a must-see for any customer to the nation.
When you’re planning a visit to Australia, make sure to add echidnas to your checklist of must-see animals. Yow will discover them in quite a lot of habitats, together with forests, grasslands, and deserts. And, for those who’re fortunate, you would possibly even see one in every of these superb creatures within the wild.
Breaking Down the Syllables
The phrase “echidna” is a five-syllable phrase. This is break it down:
| Syllable | Pronounced |
|---|---|
| e | /iː/ |
| chi | /kiː/ |
| d | /d/ |
| na | /nə/ |
The stress is on the third syllable, so it is pronounced “eh-KIHD-nə.”
Appropriate Pronunciation
The proper pronunciation of echidna is “ih-KID-nuh”. The emphasis is on the second syllable, and the “e” within the first syllable is pronounced just like the “e” in “finish”.
Widespread Mispronunciations
Adjusting the Tongue Placement
When saying the “ch” sound in “echidna”, the tongue needs to be positioned towards the roof of the mouth simply behind the entrance tooth. This can create the tender, hissing sound that’s attribute of the “ch” sound.
Avoiding Aspiration
Aspiration refers back to the launch of a puff of air after a consonant sound. Within the case of the “ch” sound in “echidna”, aspiration needs to be prevented. Which means that the tongue shouldn’t be launched from the roof of the mouth after the “ch” is produced.
Stressing the Second Syllable
The emphasis within the pronunciation of “echidna” is on the second syllable. Which means that the second syllable needs to be pronounced barely louder and longer than the primary syllable. The proper stress sample is “ih-KID-nuh”, not “ECH-ihd-nuh”.
Working towards the Pronunciation
One of the best ways to enhance your pronunciation of “echidna” is to apply saying it aloud. You possibly can apply saying the phrase by itself or in a sentence. It’s also possible to hearken to recordings of native English audio system saying the phrase to get a greater thought of the way it ought to sound.
| Incorrect Pronunciation | Appropriate Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| EH-chid-nuh | ih-KID-nuh |
How To Pronounce Echidna
The proper pronunciation of echidna is ih-KID-nuh. The phrase is derived from the Greek phrase “ekhidna,” which implies viper or snake. Echidnas are small, spiny mammals which are native to Australia and New Guinea. They’re usually known as spiny anteaters as a result of they eat ants and termites.
Echidnas are distinctive amongst mammals in that they lay eggs. They’re additionally one of many few mammals which have a cloaca, which is a single opening that serves because the outlet for the digestive, urinary, and reproductive programs.
