Nunzioaccent coach
Head to head · the sound library

bed vs van

Two sounds close enough to trade places: the “b” of bed and the “v” of van. Swap one for the other and a different word comes out — this page is how to keep them apart, in both directions.

/b/ b as in bed
/v/ v as in van

When they trade places

“b” (as in bed) coming out as “v” (as in van)

Close both lips completely, build up air, and release with a small pop instead of letting air leak through.

“The lips must CLOSE, bello — completely, like a jar of nonna's sauce! Then pop! No leaking air.”Nunzio, when he hears it

“v” (as in van) coming out as “b” (as in bed)

Do not close both lips; rest your top teeth on your bottom lip and let voiced air flow continuously.

“You pop like a cork when you should buzz like a bee! Teeth on the bottom lip, air flowing, no closing!”Nunzio, when he hears it

You cannot hear your own swap. That is the whole problem.

Nunzio records you reading a sentence, scores every sound in it on your phone — nothing is uploaded — and tells you which of these two actually came out. Nunzio — Accent Coach is coming to the App Store and Google Play.