Don't Let 'Dog' Turn Into 'Dock'

In Polish, a word-final voiced consonant like 'd,' 'b,' or 'g' automatically loses its voicing — it's just how the language works, so nobody even notices it happening. English doesn't do this, and skipping the voicing changes real meaning: 'dog' can sound like 'dock,' 'bag' can sound like 'back,' and 'rise' can sound like 'rice.' The trick is keeping your vocal cords buzzing right up until the very end of the sound, not cutting them off early. Try this: put two fingers on your throat and say 'dog,' feeling for a steady buzz all the way through the final 'g' — no sudden stop. Compare it to 'dock,' where the buzz cuts off before the end. Practice 'bag/back' and 'rise/rice' the same way, fingers on your throat for feedback. Two minutes of this contrast work trains your ear to catch the difference. It's a small habit with a big payoff for being understood clearly.