The B and V sound

The B sound and V sound are both consonant sounds in English, but they differ in terms of their manner of articulation and their acoustic properties. Here's a comparison:

B sound:

Manner of articulation: stop

Articulation: the lips are pressed together and then released, creating a sudden burst of air

Examples: "boy", "bad", "ball", "robust", "cab"

V sound:

Manner of articulation: fricative

Articulation: the lower lip is pressed against the upper teeth, creating a narrow opening through which air flows with friction

Examples: "very", "vase", "over", "save", "navy"

Here are some exercises that can help non-native speakers of English practice distinguishing between the B and V sounds:

Minimal pairs practice: Minimal pairs are words that differ in only one sound, such as "bet" and "vet" or "bake" and "vague". Practicing saying these words and listening carefully to the difference in sound can help train your ear to distinguish between the B and V sounds. You can find lists of minimal pairs online or create your own by changing one sound in a word to make a new word.

Tongue twisters: Tongue twisters are phrases that are difficult to say quickly and accurately, and often contain multiple instances of a particular sound. 

    For example, try saying "Billy bought a big blue van" or "Vivian's vivid velvet vest" repeatedly and quickly, paying close attention to the pronunciation of the B and V sounds.

Listening exercises: Listening to native speakers of English and focusing on their pronunciation of B and V sounds can help you develop a better ear for these sounds. You can listen to podcasts, watch TV shows or movies, or practice with a language exchange partner who can provide feedback on your pronunciation.

Mimicry exercises: Practice mimicking the pronunciation of native speakers by repeating after them and trying to match their intonation and stress patterns. You can also record yourself speaking and compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker to identify areas for improvement.

Some people find it difficult to differentiate between the B and V sounds, especially if their native language doesn't distinguish between the two sounds. This can result in pronunciation errors and difficulties with understanding spoken English.