Liaison

Liaison in English Phonology refers to the linking of sounds between two or more words or syllables in connected speech. Unlike French where liaison is used consistently, liaison in English is not a grammatical rule, but rather a feature of spoken English that occurs in certain circumstances.

One example of liaison in English is the pronunciation of a final /t/ or /d/ consonant in words such as “flat” or “bad” when followed by a word starting with a vowel. In connected speech, the final consonant is pronounced as a flap, creating a slight break between the two words, similar to the liaison in French. For example, the phrase “don’t ask” could be pronounced as “doh-nask” with a flap between the “n” and “a”.

Another example of liaison in English is the linking of consonant sounds at the end of one word and the beginning of the next, such as in the phrase “that’s nice”, where the “s” and “n” sounds are linked. This can occur relatively frequently in English, especially in more casual or informal speech.

Overall, liaison in English is a natural feature of spoken English that helps to create a smoother and more natural connection between words and syllables in continuous speech.