# 2.2.8. `ʃ/ʒ`

`ʃ` 对很多人来说也许难度并不大，然而，`ʒ` 却可能非常难。再一次，关键在于发声时舌尖的起始位置 —— 即，位置 ③（参见 [1.4](1.4-articulators)）

The pronunciation of `ʃ` may not pose much of a challenge for many people, yet `ʒ` can be extremely tough. Once again, the key lies in the initial position of the tongue tip when making the sound, i.e. position ③ (as described in [1.4](1.4-articulators)).

![articulator-tongue-tip-sh](/images/articulator-tongue-tip-sh.svg)

比较一下以下的辅音：

Let's compare following consonants:

> * `t/d` 的舌尖起始位置时贴在龈脊的前部 ③；
> * For `t/d`, the tongue tip begins at the front part of *alveolar ridge* ③;
> * `s/z` 要相对于 `t/d` 往前一些，贴近但没有接触到牙齿和牙龈的接缝处 ②；
> * For `s/z`, it's closer to the front compared to `t/d`, near but not touching the *seam* between the teeth and gums ②;
> * `θ/ð` 要相对于 `s/z`再往前一些，贴在牙齿上，或者伸出牙齿一点点 ①；
> * For `θ/ð`, it's even more forward than `s/z`, resting on the *teeth*, or protruding a bit ①;
> * `ʃ/ʒ` 和 `t/d` 一样，贴近但没有接触到龈脊的那个部位 ③；
> * For `ʃ/ʒ`, it's almost same as `t/d`, near but not touching the part of the *alveolar ridge* ③;
> * `r` 相对于 `ʃ/ʒ` 还要再往后一点，贴在龈脊的那个部位 ④……
> * For `r`, it's further back than `ʃ/ʒ`, touching the part of the *alveolar ridge* ④...

![articulator-tongue-tip-positions](/images/articulator-tongue-tip-positions.svg)

除了英语之外，大多语言里没有 `ʒ` 这个辅音。即便是在英语里，含有这个辅音的词汇也很少，常见的不过几十个而已。

Apart from English, most languages do not have the `ʒ` consonant. Even in English, there are only a handful of words that contain this sound.

中国学生会不由自主地用 `dʒ` 替代 `ʒ` —— 因为 `dʒ` 是一个他们熟悉的辅音，相当于中文拼音中的 `zh`。`ʒ` 和 `dʒ` 的区别在于，`ʒ` 发声时舌尖贴近但没有接触到龈脊；而 `dʒ` 发声时起始的舌尖贴在龈脊（与 `ʒ` 同一个位置 ③）。

Chinese students tend to instinctively substitute `ʒ` with `dʒ` - a consonant they're familiar with, equivalent to the `zh` in Chinese Pinyin. The difference between `ʒ` and `dʒ` is that, when pronouncing `ʒ`, the tip of the tongue is close to but not touching the the *alveolar ridge* while for `dʒ`, the tongue tip starts at the the *alveolar ridge* (same position as `ʒ` ③).

少数人知道  `dʒ` 替代 `ʒ` 不是一回事，但，由于舌尖起始位置并不准确，所以他们说出来的 `ʒ` 听起来更接近 `r` —— 舌尖缩得过头了 —— `r` ④ 发声时起始的舌尖位置相对于 `ʒ` ③ 要更靠后一点。

A few understand that substituting `dʒ` for `ʒ` isn't accurate. However, because their tongue tip positioning isn't precise, their `ʒ` sound often ends up sounding more like `r` - they retract their tongue tip too far - `r` ④ is pronounced with the tongue tip further back compared to `ʒ` ③ .