DIFFICULTIES IN PRONOUNCING THE FRICATIVE SOUNDS /θ/ AND /ð/: CASE STUDY OF ENGLISH-MAJORED STUDENTS AT DONG THAP UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The sounds /θ/ and /ð/ are widely reported as two of the most challenging sounds for a vast
number of Vietnamese ESL students. This study was constructed with the aim at seeking out some common
obstacles arising when the students encounter the two fricatives sounds /θ/ and /ð/. The study was done
with audio trials and questionnaire as the means of investigating. The participants were 20 Englishmajored sophomores of the Foreign Languages Faculty at Dong Thap university. The study has revealed
some regular difficulties when it comes to produce English words with the sounds /θ/ and /ð/ included.
Among these, the feeling of uncomfortable when having to put the tongue between the teeth and the non
– existence of the sounds /θ/ and /ð/ have been found as the dominant problems.