Quotes: short e ea: Everything is a struggle. Don't ask me to say my name. I'm literally just trying to hold up this barbell without collapsing into a 'dead' sound. long a ea: Move over, E! I’ve taken the podium today. In this word, I’m the star, and I’m feeling GREAT! I’ve practiced so hard, I’ve finally learned how to sound just like an A! long e ie:(Bouncing slightly) Do you feel that? The sun is out, the grass is green... it’s a perfect day for a picnic in the field! But a picnic needs a centerpiece. Something... substantial. long i ie: Mmm, I wouldn't lie, that smells wonderful. igh: Alright, team, stand back! We’re launching these rockets high into the night sky! Keep your eyes bright and look for the flash of light—if we’ve engineered this right, it’ll be a sight that’s pure delight! ew: Pop! Oops... I chew this stuff all day until I’ve blew the biggest bubble you’ve ever seen! Don’t be shrewd, just come join the crew—we’ve got a few pieces of bubblegum flavor left! French ch: "Sssshhhhhloooop... Why so much effort? Just be nonchalant like champagne bubbles." (*miaou*) Greek ch: The architect of this language used chemistry to make me solid. I am the chord that never breaks—unless I’m spalling. au: (In a bright, resonant voice) Good morning! Or should I say... Au-tumn morning? Look at this leaf! The colors are just gold, like me. It’s the perfect day to haul some apples or pause for a nice walk. aw: (In a long, drawn-out groan) Aaaaawwwww... is it time to wake up already? oi: (Twitching his curly tail) Oi! Keep it down, oy. I’m trying to enjoy this tinfoil I found. It’s so shiny! I love oil and foil. oy: (Skids to a stop) Wait a second. Did you hear that? You said "Oi" and I said "Oy." We sound identical! It’s like we’re echoes. Short oo: Look! Look! I need the book! I’m trying to cook something good, but I can't find the page for 'Sooty Stew'! Long oo: (Voice: Smooth, airy, like she’s sighing) Hush now, little brother. You’re being too loud. I’m trying to view the m-oooo-n. It looks so c-oooo-l tonight. Very sm-oooo-th. ou: (In a strained, high-pitched voice) Ouch... oh, boy. Am I seeing stars? Because I’m definitely seeing stars. diphthong ow: OWWWWW! Did you see that? That looked like it hurt! I’m heading down to the town to get help right now! Holy cow, that was a big bump! ph: (Lowers camera, blinking) Excuse me? I’m right in the middle of a photo shoot. I need perfect lighting for these phenomenal leaves. unvoiced th: (Snapping) It’s called a voiceless dental fricative, you amateur! Do you have any idea how much coordination this takes? I have to put my tongue between the teeth, push the air out just right... voiced th: Oh, I’m doing plenty. Listen. THHHHHHHIS. THHHHHHHAT. THHHHHHHEM. See? No spray, just a lovely, resonant hum. I don’t need to blow a gale to make a point. *sigh* I’d rather be dry than "th-th-th-thrifty," thank you very much. wh: (Dizzily) Who? What? Where? Oh dear... my head is spinning faster than a windmill in a hurricane! gh: (Whispering) Don't look at me. I'm not even here. I’m a ghost. ck: Tick-tock! Look at the clock! I’m always at the back of the line, and I’ve got the cracked cap to prove it! If you’re ending a word with a short vowel and a 'k' sound, don't you dare use just a 'c' or a 'k'—you send for me! I’m the heavy-hitter that finishes the job! ng: (Singing) I love to si-ng, si-ng, si-ng! Like a bell that goes ri-ng, ri-ng, ri-ng! I’m the stro-ng ending to a so-ng! Come on everyone, join alo-ng! kn: Shhh! I’m on a secret mission. My visor is locked tight so I don't make a peep. Just listen to my squire, n—he’s the one who tells you we’re at the knight's knee! wr: (Whispering and holding up the quill) Quiet, please! I’m writing a very important letter with my quill. I’m so focused on my wrist movements that I’ve completely forgotten how to speak. Let my friend r take it from here!(It’s a bit of a wrong turn if you try to say the "W," isn’t it?) gn: Mmmph-mmph! (Giggles) My beard is so long and tickly, I can't get a single 'g' sound past my whiskers. I’ll just sit here like a good little gnome and let n do the talking for us. mb: (Heavy breathing) Huff... puff... It’s a long way up this rope! I’m using every bit of my energy just to reach the summit of this mountain. I’m far too busy climbing to make a sound, so I’ll let my sturdy rope, b, hold me up while my voice, m, tells you where we are! st: ssssssSSSSS! puff Okay, okay... I think I overdid it. I wanted this whistle t to really glisten, so I gave it a deep clean... with my own ink! Now, look. It's totally clogged with a big, purple ink plug. Poor t can't make a sound, so I'll just have to do all the whispering for the both of us while we listen to the radio. ps: Oh, Psyche! We are simply too enamored by our silent, psychic love to make a peep! We communicate with pure thoughts (and maybe an sss-hiss or two from s!)
