Tongue Twisters: Peter Piper

Tongue twisters are fun words games we use to challenge our pronunciation. As an English learner, you can use tongue twisters to help with pronunciation of certain sounds.

Peter Piper

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

Listen to the Peter Piper recording.

Improving Your Pronunciation

In this tongue twister, Peter Piper, you can work on your p's. The 'p' sound is voiceless and is similar to the 'b' sound which is voiced. The difference between the two sounds is that the 'p' does not use the voice. Practice the difference in these sounds with minimal pairs—words that only have a difference between the 'p' and 'b' sound. 

• bob - pop
• blob - plop
• beg - peg
• pitch - bitch
• peck - beck

Feel the Sound Difference

Place your hand on your throat and say 'pop' and you will feel no vibration. Place your hand on your throat and say 'bob' and you'll feel vibration. Use lots of breath to help you get the plosive 'p' sound strong. Pronounce your 'p' with a strong explosion of air through the lips.