Break “acetylsalicylic” into smaller, manageable chunks: “a-set-il-sal-ih-sil-ik”. Focus on the pronunciation of each syllable individually. The “a” in “acetylsalicylic” is pronounced like the “a” in “apple”. The “set” sounds just like the word “set”. “Il” is pronounced as “ill”. “Sal” rhymes with “pal”. “Ih” is a short “i” sound, like in “pin”. The “sil” sounds like “sill”. Lastly, “ik” ends with a “k” sound, like in “kick”.
Stress and Intonation
Place emphasis on the third syllable (“sal”). This helps provide clarity and proper pronunciation. A slight rise in pitch towards the end of the word adds natural intonation. Practice saying the word slowly at first, then gradually increase your speed until you can pronounce it fluently and naturally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many speakers struggle with the “il” and “ih” sounds. Make sure to clearly articulate these sounds to avoid them blending together. Also, avoid overemphasizing the final syllable; a balanced emphasis across the word sounds more natural.
