Dear pronunciation diary...

...I got back feedback on the pronunciation activity we did a few weeks ago. And guess what? Apparently I did "excellent" and "very good". I only had difficulties with one word, namely aluminum.  Which does not surprise me as I do not know the word. I only know the other version of the word, aluminium.

I have made some progress with my tongue twisters. Actually I had a good time challenging my friends to learn them. Only then you feel as if, in fact, you have absolutely no control over what you are babbling.

Anyway, this is the second part of my pronunciation diary and I'd like, after I focused on sounds in the English language, to have a look at how English words are pronounced. We all know how absurd English spelling really is. It has the same absurdity level as French grammar, some Facebook status or me trying to bake cookies. In contrast, it is claimed that English pronunciation has some rules that you can stick to. For example, you can pronounce the letter "G" in a word either as /d͡ʒ/ (before E, I, Y) or /g/ (before U and A) such in giant and George or garden and guacamole. 

Sounds easy, doesn't it? Alright then, I challenge you to try to read aloud a poem by Gerald Nolst Trenité, a Dutchman. Here is the link, there is a phonetic transcript beside it but I'd try first without looking at the right column. 

Do you now doubt your competence in English pronunciation? Don't worry, this poem was surely created to trouble us, all the willing people who want to acquire a good English. I think if anyone can read this poem with not a single mistake can call himself/herself King or Queen of pronunciation. 

Here are two videos that might help, the first one is performed in American English the second in British English. Whatever you prefer. 
You might prefer the first one in any case as the performer is a bit more entertaining.