2 syllables: lin, king. Stress on lin.
LING-king
/ˈlɪŋkɪŋ/
linking is pronounced LING-king (/ˈlɪŋkɪŋ/). It has two syllables (lin-king), with the stress on "lin". Linking is the process of blending the final sound of a word with the initial sound of the next, creating a smooth, connected flow in speech. It often involves swallowing, eliding, or softening sounds to avoid abrupt stops, and is central to natural-sounding fluent speech in English. This term is used across linguistics, phonetics, and everyday speech to describe seamless transitions between words.
Linking is the process of blending the final sound of a word with the initial sound of the next, creating a smooth, connected flow in speech. It often involves swallowing, eliding, or softening sounds to avoid abrupt stops, and is central to natural-sounding fluent speech in English. This term is used across linguistics, phonetics, and everyday speech to describe seamless transitions between words.
- You might over-aspirate the /k/ or insert a glottal stop before it in careful speech, which breaks the linking. Focus on a continuous flow from /ŋ/ into /k/. - Some learners keep the vowel of the second syllable too closed or tense, yielding a rough, segregated sound. So relax the /ɪ/ and let it stay light. - Another error is adding an extra vowel between /ŋ/ and /k/, producing /ˈlɪŋ ə kɪŋ/; aim for a tight transition as /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/.
"- In fast conversation, you might hear the phrase linking of sounds between words."
"- Native speakers often use linking to connect end consonants with following vowels, like 'go on' sounding like 'goawn'."
"- Teachers emphasize linking to improve intelligibility in connected speech."
You pronounce linking as /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/. The first syllable carries primary stress. In natural speech, the /ŋ/ at the end of 'link' often carries into the following /ɪ/ vowel, producing a light internal pause or glide. Some speakers insert a light y-glide between /ŋ/ and /k/, especially in slower speech. Overall, aim for a smooth transition: [ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ] with minimal audible boundary between syllables.
Common errors include: 1) Separating the syllables too cleanly, producing /ˈlɪŋ kɪŋ/ instead of a fluid /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/. 2) Overemphasizing the /k/ onset after /ŋ/, which can create a noticeable break. 3) Omitting the subtle linking glide between /ŋ/ and /k/. To correct: keep the nasal /ŋ/ slightly nasalized into the following /k/ and practice with a tiny, almost imperceptible transition: /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/.
In US English, /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/ with a clear /k/ onset after /ŋ/ may feel slightly separated in careful speech but often blends in quick speech. UK English tends to maintain a crisper /k/ after the nasal, sometimes with a softer onset due to non-rhotic tendencies influencing contiguous consonants. Australian English typically mirrors US/UK patterns but may feature a slightly looser jaw and more centralized vowels, which can soften the transition. In all, the core rhymes -ing remain stable; the degree of blending varies by rhythm and tempo.
The difficulty lies in coordinating a nasal at the end of one syllable with a vowel-starting next word, plus optional glides. The tongue must move quickly from alveolar /l/ region into /ŋ/ to create a smooth nasal onset, then into /k/. This requires precise timing to avoid a harsh stop or an awkward pause. Mastery comes from practicing minute transitions and listening for a natural, even tempo in connected speech.
A distinctive feature is the potential internal assimilation between /ŋ/ and /k/. In rapid speech, speakers may naturally zipper the nasal into the following /k/ with a brief, almost imperceptible boundary. This can produce a slightly velarized or velar-alveolar blend. Paying attention to the soft tensing of the tongue tip and maintaining a light, short /ɪ/ between the two consonants helps achieve a natural stream: /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/.
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- US: Audibly soften the /k/ onset slightly into a light release; keep the first vowel unstressed and quick. - UK: Tend toward crisper consonants; ensure the /ŋ/ does not terminate too soon so the /k/ can attach smoothly. - AU: Similar to US, but vowels can be slightly centralized; practice with a relaxed jaw to avoid tight transitions. Use IPA cues /ˈlɪŋ.kɪŋ/ and monitor rhotics subtly; aim for a fluent, even pace.
Linking originates from the verb link (from Old English gelencian ‘to tie, connect’). The noun/verb pair appeared in Middle English with senses of tying or joining objects. The linguistic sense, linking within speech, emerged from 19th-20th century phonology when scholars formalized coarticulation and assimilation as mechanisms by which sounds influence adjacent segments. The modern term ‘linking’ in linguistics gained traction as researchers described how sequential words create phonetic bonds. Early studies focused on liaison in Romance languages, with English-based analyses growing in prominence during the mid-20th century as American and British linguists examined connected speech, rhythm, and fluency. Today, ‘linking’ encompasses phenomena like linking r, intrusive linking, and elision, reflecting the dynamic nature of real-time speech production and listening expectations in varied dialects.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "linking" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "linking" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "linking"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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