h

The /h/ sound is a voiceless glottal fricative, but unlike most fricatives, it does not create strong friction at a specific constriction in the mouth.

Instead, the sound is produced at the glottis (vocal cords):

• Vocal cords: open (not vibrating), allowing air to pass freely
• Airflow: steady stream of air pushed from the lungs through the open vocal cords
• Tongue: completely relaxed, already positioned for the next vowel
• Lips: neutral, also preparing for the following vowel
• Mouth shape: determined almost entirely by the vowel that follows

Key idea: /h/ is essentially breath shaped by the upcoming vowel.

For example:

• in he → tongue is already high and forward
• in hot → tongue is low and back

So the /h/ itself doesn’t have a fixed mouth shape. It inherits the shape of the vowel.

There is no obstruction, no contact, no friction surface, just air passing through an open glottis.

Dialectal Variations in Pronunciation and Usage

• American English (General American): /h/ is usually clearly pronounced in stressed positions, but can weaken or disappear in fast speech.

• British English (especially Cockney and some regional accents): H-dropping is common, as in house → ’ouse.

• Connected speech (all dialects): /h/ often weakens in unstressed function words such as him, her, have, had.

• Important detail: /h/ is highly dependent on the vowel. It is one of the most context-shaped sounds in English.

Considerations for Spanish Speakers

English /h/ and Spanish j / g before e, i are not the same.

English /h/

• place: glottis
• no contact, no strong constriction
• just breath
• very light

Spanish “j” / “g”

• place: velar or uvular region
• there is friction in the back of the mouth
• much stronger and harsher

Key takeaway

• /h/ = pure airflow, no resistance
• Spanish “j” = air forced through a narrow space, creating friction

So if you use the Spanish “j” for /h/, the sound becomes too harsh.