Proper Pronunciation Guide
whirl
[
hwɝ
əɫ]
Tips:
- Pronounce the letters “wh” as /hw/ so that the word begins with a slight/h/.
- Pronounce the letters “ir” as the pure R-vowel /ɝ/ , which is a monothong, or single vowel, not an R-Vowel Diphthong. In other words, do not pronounce the letter “i”; its only function is to make the letter “r” a vowel:/ɝ/ .
- Use a slight schwa vowel /ə/ before the final dark “l”—[əɫ], and use the consonant glide/r/ to link from the vowel “r”/ɝ/ into [əɫ], making this word, in essence, two syllables.
Practice Sentences:
| He loved to see the ballet dancers whirl across the stage. | |
| On the eve of the election the presidential candidate went on a whirlwind tour of seven closely-contested states. |
Definition:
(verb) To travel in wide circles through space quickly.
Notes:
The word “whir” (“whirl” without the [əɫ]) refers to a sound made by something mechanical such as a motor going round and round at a vary fast speed (a whirring sound). The word “hurl” (whirl” without the /w/) refers to throwing a heavy object with great force; the word “twirl” means to move an object around and around in a small circular pattern, such as a pen or a baton (a baton twirler), and “swirl” means to move in circular, twisting, or spiraling motions. The words whirling, hurling, twirling, and swirling as well as twirler —all have only two syllables — not three: [hwɝ lɪŋ]. Try reading aloud this sentence: Earl whirled around to see the girl twirling her baton, which she then hurled into the air as she swirled through the crowd of people.