Pronunciation Challenge

みなさん、こんにちは！

Once again, it’s time for the 4th challenge!

Please join the challenge and improve how you sound!

Participants who join 5 times will receive a digital badge, and those who join 15 times will receive a physical postcard.

How to Participate:

1. Choose either the beginner, intermediate, advanced, or proficient level, record it, and upload it on the Forum as a reply to this announcement(The same announcement has been posted on the forum as well).

2. The deadline is Friday, September 20th, at 11:00 p.m. JST.

3. If you are shy about using your name, feel free to post as “とくめいきぼう（匿名希望）,” which means "anonymous."

4. If you are uncomfortable uploading your recording here or can’t do it systematically, please send it via email:fumi@niconico.biz 

Feedback: I will provide feedback via video on Tuesday, September 24th, in Feedback for Pronunciation Challenge in the Forum and “Upgrade Speaking” on my website.

Sentences to Read: Here are the sentences you’ll read. Please choose one, record, and upload it. I added points for you to be careful with, but if there are any other points you want me to check, please write them down.

【Beginner　初級（しょきゅう）】

犬を1匹飼ってます。かわいいです。

（いぬをいっぴきかってます。かわいいです。）

"I have one dog. It's cute."

Points:

・The pitch accent of かってます. It has an Atamadaka accent. If you say it with an rising accent, the meaning will change to “I’m buying〜”

・The length of small つ. Small つ has one mora, just like other Hiragana characters..

・The pronunciation of the vowel あ in か of かわいい and its pitch accent. かわいい might sound like こわい, scary.

Please watch newly uploaded Fluent Talks 6, Talking About Pets. There are tips on how to say いっぴき、かってます、and かわいい. 

【Intermediate　中級（ちゅうきゅう）】

このアニメ、おもしろいですね。私（わたし）もバスケをやってみたくなっちゃいました。

"This anime is interesting.  It makes me want to try playing basketball too."

Points:

・The vowel あ in アニメ should be said clearly

・The pitch accent of おもしろいですね. You’ll use おもしろい a lot, so it’s worth mastering. 

・The length of small つ. Small つ has one mora, just like other Hiragana characters.

【Advanced　上級（じょうきゅう）】

「腹八分目に医者いらず」ということわざ、知ってますか？　おなかがいっぱいになる少し前でやめることが、健康の秘訣です。

（「はらはちぶんめにいしゃいらず」ということわざ、しってますか？　おなかがいっぱいになるすこしまえでやめることが、けんこうのひけつです。）

"Do you know the proverb 'Hara hachibunme ni isha irazu' (Eat until you are 80% full and you won't need a doctor)? The secret to good health is to stop eating just before you feel completely full."

Note: In Japan, we usually say “harahachibunme,” instead of “harahachibu.”

Points:

・The rhythm of はらはちぶんめにいしゃいらず. It has to be said within one breath.

・The intonation of しってますか？ 

・The pitch accent of いっぱい. You have to say it with a Heiban accent. If you say it with an Atamadaka accent, it will change the meaning to “one cup(of〜).”

【Proficient】

You can choose any sentences. Preferably 3-4 sentences within 20 seconds.

Here are PDF for pitch accent and my recording.

Joining this challenge will improve how you sound because:

1. You'll practice extensively under the pressure of being heard by many people.

2. You'll listen to your recordings multiple times and adjust your articulation to improve your sound.

So I'm sure it will be a great opportunity. Please don't miss it!

みなさんのチャレンジ、お待（ま）ちしてます！！

I can't wait to see your entries!