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1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/1.3-phonetics.md

@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ Here are some key points to take note of when it comes to phonetic representatio
 > - 短元音 `ɒ` 在美式发音中读作 `ɑ`，也如此标注，比如，*hot* `/hɑt/` —— `ɑ` 比 `ʌ/ə` 略长一些，比 `ɑr` 短。
 > - The short vowel `ɒ` is pronounced as `ɑ` in American English and is transcribed as such. For example, *hot* is transcribed as `/hɑt/`. `ɑ` is slightly longer than `ʌ/ə` but shorter than `ɑr`.
 > - `t` 的弹舌音用 `t̬` 标注。
-> - The flap `t` sound in American English is represented by `t̬`.
+> - The flapping `t` sound in American English is represented by `t̬`.

1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/2.1-vowels.md

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # 2.1. 元音（Vowels）
 
-英文总计 6 个基础元音，分别是 `ʌ`、`e`、`ə`、`ɪ`、`ʊ`、`ɒ` —— 这 6 个短元音就好像是 “根” 一样。剩下的 14 个元音要么是它们略有变化的更长版本，即，长元音  ——  `ɑː, æ, əː, iː, uː, ɔː`。要么是它们的组合版本，即，双元音 —— `aɪ, eɪ, ɔɪ, aʊ, əʊ, eə, ɪə, ʊə`。
+英文总计 6 个基础元音，分别是 `ʌ`、`e`、`ə`、`ɪ`、`ʊ`、`ɒ` —— 这 6 个短元音就好像是 “根” 一样。剩下的 14 个元音要么是它们略有变化的更长版本，即，长元音  ——  `ɑː, æ, əː, iː, uː, ɔː`。要么是它们的组合版本，即，双元音 —— `aɪ, eɪ, ɔɪ, aʊ, oʊ, eə, ɪə, ʊə`。
 
-In English, there are 6 basic vowels: `ʌ`, `e`, `ə`, `ɪ`, `ʊ`, and `ɒ`. Think of these 6 short vowels like the *roots* of a tree. The remaining 16 vowels are either slightly modified, longer versions of these - the *long* vowels, which are `ɑː, æ, əː, iː, uː, ɔː`; or, they are combinations of these basic sounds, known as *diphthongs* - `aɪ, eɪ, ɔɪ, aʊ, əʊ, eə, ɪə, ʊə`.
+In English, there are 6 basic vowels: `ʌ`, `e`, `ə`, `ɪ`, `ʊ`, and `ɒ`. Think of these 6 short vowels like the *roots* of a tree. The remaining 16 vowels are either slightly modified, longer versions of these - the *long* vowels, which are `ɑː, æ, əː, iː, uː, ɔː`; or, they are combinations of these basic sounds, known as *diphthongs* - `aɪ, eɪ, ɔɪ, aʊ, oʊ, eə, ɪə, ʊə`.
 
 元音的关键在于它们的**长短**。搞错元音的长短，一方面可能会造成错误或者理解困难。更为重要的是另外一方面 —— 会造成**节奏**混乱。
 

1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/2.1.3-e.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 
 Some dictionaries often use `ɛ` to annotate the American English sound of `e`.
 
-`æ` 相当于是 `e` 的更长版本。虽然 `æ` 后面没有长元音符号 `ː`，但它其实应该算作**长元音**。
+`æ` 相当于是 `e` 的更长版本。虽然 `æ` 后面没有长元音符号 `ː`，但它的确比其它短元音**长**，其实应该算作**长元音**。
 
-`æ` can be deemed as a more extended version of `e`. Even though there's no long vowel symbol `ː` following `æ`, it should be considered a **long vowel**.
+`æ` can be deemed as a more extended version of `e`. Even though there's no long vowel symbol `ː` following `æ`, it is *longer* than other short vowels, and should be considered a **long vowel**.
 
 ![mouth shape e-æ](/images/vowels-mouth-e-æ.svg)
 

1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/2.1.4-ə.md

@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ The `ər` (or `ɚ`) sound, referred to as rhotacized sound, can be produced in t
 
 Since the tongue's movements are invisible during speech, it's difficult for learners to guess the second method, which involves keeping the tongue tip in place, lifting the back part of the tongue, and allowing the sides of the tongue to touch the back teeth. The center of the tongue's rear is slightly lowered, creating a groove for the air to pass through and generate the sound.
 
-另外，美式英语的 `ɚ` 在发音时，舌尖从不接触牙嵴。
+值得注意的是，美式英语的 `ɚ` 在发音时，**舌尖从不接触牙或者龈嵴**。
 
-Additionally, in American English pronunciation, the tongue tip never touches the teeth when making the rhotacized `ɚ` sound.
+It should be noted, in American English pronunciation, the tongue tip *never* touches the teeth or the alveolar ridge when making the rhotacized `ɚ` sound.
 
 注意，在连贯的自然语音中，很多非重音音节的元音，都有被简化成 `ə`（*schwa*）的倾向，尤其是 `ɪ`。比如，*individual*, `ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒjʊəl`，实际上会被读作 `ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəl` —— `jʊ` 也变成了 `ə`，而后 `ʊ` 和 `ə` 之间有个加音 `w`…… 事实上，现在已经有很多词典干脆直接标注成了后者。
 

1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/2.2.14-lr.md

@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ There are many common words where `l` ends the syllable. Be sure to include the
 
 > *fail*, *file*, *sell*, *sale*, *tell*, *tale*, *trail*, *drill*...
 
-注意，`/ʌl/` 没有 `ə` 的加音，因为 `ʌ` 和 `ə` 原本就非常相近。比如，*ultimate* `/ˈʌltɪmət/`。另外，在自然语音中，`/iːl/` 要注意。比如， reveal 的确读做 `/rɪˈviːəl/`，有加音 `ə`，但，revealing，读作 `/rɪˈviːlɪŋ/`，没有加音 `ə`，可能是因为 `l` 被挪到后面和 `ɪŋ` 构成了第三个音节 `/lɪŋ/`……
+注意，`/ʌl/` 没有 `ə` 的加音，因为 `ʌ` 和 `ə` 原本就非常相近。比如，*ultimate* `/ˈʌltɪmət/`，或者 *result* `/rɪˈzəlt/`。另外，在自然语音中，`/iːl/` 要注意。比如， reveal 的确读做 `/rɪˈviːəl/`，有加音 `ə`，但，revealing，读作 `/rɪˈviːlɪŋ/`，没有加音 `ə`，可能是因为 `l` 被挪到后面和 `ɪŋ` 构成了第三个音节 `/lɪŋ/`……
 
-Note that `/ʌl/` doesn't have the schwa (`ə`) sound added, since `/ʌ/` and `ə` are already very similar. For instance, *ultimate* `/ˈəltəmət/`. Also, pay attention to `/iːl/` in natural speech. For example, while *reveal* is indeed pronounced as `/rɪˈviːəl/`, with the schwa sound, *revealing* is pronounced as `/rɪˈviːlɪŋ/`, without the schwa. This change might be due to the fact that the `l` sound has been moved to form a third syllable with `ɪŋ` as `/lɪŋ/`.
+Note that `/ʌl/` doesn't have the schwa (`ə`) sound added, since `/ʌ/` and `ə` are already very similar. For instance, *ultimate* `/ˈəltəmət/`, or *result* `/rɪˈzəlt/`. Also, pay attention to `/iːl/` in natural speech. For example, while *reveal* is indeed pronounced as `/rɪˈviːəl/`, with the schwa sound, *revealing* is pronounced as `/rɪˈviːlɪŋ/`, without the schwa. This change might be due to the fact that the `l` sound has been moved to form a third syllable with `ɪŋ` as `/lɪŋ/`.
 
 `l` 在语言学里有个专门的称呼，叫做**音节辅音**，就是因为它的发声动作如果完整的话，前面就会自然附加着一个轻微的元音 `ə` 的音色。比如，*little* `/ˈlɪtl̩/` —— `l` 下面多出的那一个点 `l̩` 的意思是说，这里的 `l̩` 是个**音节辅音**，相当于 `/ᵊl/`…… 当然，很多词典干脆就直接标注成了 `/ˈlɪtəl/`
 

1000-hours/sounds-of-american-english/2.2.6-sz.md

@@ -14,3 +14,7 @@ It's important to note that following an `s`, `p/t/tr/k` are voiced, meaning the
 > * *student* `/ˈstudənt/` → `/ˈsdudənt/`
 > * *school* `/skuːl/` → `/sguːl/`
 > * *frustrate* `/ˈfrʌˌstreɪt/` → `/ˈfrʌˌsdreɪt/`
+
+另外，英文的辅音并没有长短区分 —— 有些语言的辅音是有长短区分的，虽然亚洲语言基本都没有这种差别。然而，英文的 `f/v`、`s/z`、`ʃ` 是可以拉长的，尤其是 `s/z`。
+
+In addition, in English, there's no differentiation between long and short consonant sounds. This is a feature found in some languages but is generally not present in Asian languages. However, in English, the sounds of `f/v`, `s/z`, and `ʃ` can be lengthened, especially `s/z`.