NURSE
/ɜː/
Tips
Like a Chinese finger trap: if you relax, it works. If you spelt it, it would be “Uhhh”. Keep this vowel steady from start to finish.
Tongue. Mid-range, central – arching upwards.
Lips. Very relaxed.
Examples
bird
word
learn
turn
Watch for
- Not Russian "ё/о": say bird /bɜːd/, not /bʲɔrd/.
- No R in RP: say word /wɜːd/, not /vɜrd/.