Reductions

'drifting'... Mongkok, Jan 2008



If you're having difficulty understanding or being understood when you speak English with a native speaker, it may be that they aren't saying exactly what you think they are, or what you may have learned.


Although reductions are rarely mentioned in textbooks, many are used on a daily basis. They are reduced or condenced forms of English words. Native English speakers do not enunciate every word. In fact, if a typical conversation was slowed down, what was actually being said may come as some surprise.




Mary: Whassup? Whatsiz name?
Bob: I dunno? Jeet?
Mary: No, jya?


Still with me?


Mary: What is up? What is his name?
Bob: I don't know. Did you eat?
Mary: No, did you?



A rather random conversation, but it illustrates my point nicely.


Sometimes people refer to this particular habit of native English speakers as 'eating words'. Whatever you choose to call it, mastering reductions can go a long way in helping you to sound more natural. They will allow you to more easily understand North American TV, movies, music, literature, and common conversations.


As the list is quite large, It will be broken up into several entries. I have posted the first set on Quizlet for my own students.


Never heard of Quizlet? Read this article . Feel free to access my list and test yourself or print flashcards.



Reductions formed with what + is + word

whassup= what + is + up
Hey, whassup?
Hey, what is up?

whatser = what + is + her
Whatser name?
What is her name?

whatsiz = what + is + his
Whatsiz name?
What is his name?



Reductions formed with word + me

gimme = give + me
Please gimme the book.
Please give me the book.

lemme = let + me
Please lemme go with you.
Please let me go with you.



Reductions formed with word (s) + you

betcha = bet + you
Betcha can't eat just one.
Bet you can't eat just one.

doncha = don't + you
Doncha think that exam was hard.
Don't you think that exam was hard.

getcha = get + you
I'm planning to getcha some new clothes.
I'm planning to get you some new clothes.

gotcha = got + you
I already gotcha some new clothes.
I already got you some new clothes.

howarya = how + are + you
Howarya doing today?
How are you doing today?

howdya = how + do + you
Howdya make delicious sushi?
How do you make delicious sushi?

howjya = how + did + you
Howjya get the money for school?
How did you get the money for school?

howujya = how + would + you
Howujya get the answer to this problem.
How would you get the answer to this problem.

jya = did + you
Jya go to class today?
Did you go to class today?

waddaya = what + are + you
Waddaya doing tonight?
What are you doing tonight?

waddaya = what + do + you
Waddaya think of this restaurant?
What do you think of this restaurant?

wancha = want + you
I wancha to do your homework.
I want you to do your homework.

whajya = what + did + you
Whajya do today?
What did you do today?

whenjya = when + did + you
Whenjya decide to study English?
When did you decide to study English?

wherjya = where + did + you
Wherjya go today?
Where did you go today?

whojya = who + did + you
Whojya go to the park with today?
Who did you go to the park with today?

woujya = would + you
Woujya like to go to the movies tonight?
Would you like to go to the movies tonight?