Chapter 3 Flashcards
The inflectional /ed/ can be pronounced in three different ways. Explain the three
ways and give examples
- Commonly used to indicate past tense in regular verbs.
- The choice of pronunciation depends on the final sound of the base verb.
/t/ pronunciation: - When the base verb ends in an unvoiced sound (sounds produced without vibrating the vocal cords), such as voiceless consonants like (p, k, f, s, Ɵ, ʃ)
- Jumped /dʒʌmpt/, walked /wɔkt/, laughed /læft/
/d/: When the base verb ends in a voiced sound (sounds produced with vocal cord vibration), such as voiced consonants like (b, g, v, z, ʒ, ð) - Grabbed, played, loved
/ɪd/: When the base verb ends in the sounds /t/ or /d/. Regardless whether the final sound is voiced or unvoiced. - Wanted, needed, decided
Inflectional “s” or ‘s can be pronounced in three different ways. Explain the three types of pronunciation and give examples.
- Commonly used to indicate plurality, possession or 3rd person sg. present tense in verbs
/s/:
when the base word ends in an unvoiced sounds, such as voiceless consonants
(cats, dogs, books)
/z/:
when the base word ends in a voiced sound, such as voiced consonants
(babies, dogs, cars)
/ɪz/:
when the base word ends in the sounds (s, z, ʒ, ʃ, ʤ, ʧ)
(matches, wishes, buzzes)
Describe the process of linking and name distinctive linking sounds. Use each linking sound in a sentence to demonstrate its usage
- Process of linking: linking is a phonological phenomenon in English where the final sound of one word is connected to the initial sound of the following word, creating a smoother and more connected flow of speech. This process helps in distinguishing between individual words and preventing pauses between them.
a) Consonant-to-consonant: a final consonant sound in one word links to the initial consonant sound of the next word. This occurs when the 1st word ends in a consonant sound, and the 2nd word begins with a vowel sound. (last night)
b) Consonant-to-vowel: a final consonant sound in one word to the initial vowel sound of the next word. It occurs when the 1st word ends in a consonant sound and the 2nd word begins with vowel sound. (closed it)
c) Vowel-to-vowel: a final vowel sound in one word links to the initial vowel sound of the next word. This occurs when the 1st word ends in a vowel sound and the 2nd word begins with a vowel sound. (tea and)
Distinctive linking sounds:
a) Intrusive /r/:
when the /r/ sound is inserted between two vowel sounds to facilitate linking. ( Law and order → Law[r]and order. Media attention → Media[r]attention (kind of sounds like meteor, right?) I saw a film → I saw[r]a film.)
b) Intrusive /j/ (y-sound) and /w/:
may be inserted between certain vowels to aid in smooth linking. (More specifically, this means we add a short y (/j/) sound after a front vowel (like /eɪ/, /i/, and /ai/) and a short (/w/) sound after a back vowel (like /ʊ/ and /oʊ/).
Examples: Intrusive /w/ sound: Pronounce go over as “go-wover”)
(Heys*is – linking the final ´e´ in “He“ with an intrusive /j/ before the initial ´i´ in “is“).
Explain the notion of Elision.
Elision: a phonological phenomenon in which one or more sounds are omitted or deleted from a word during speech, often for reasons of ease of pronunciation or due to the natural rhythm of speech. This process can occur within a single word or between words in connected speech.
Consonant elision: final unstressed syllables may undergo elision, particularly with certain consonant sounds. In casual speech, the final /t/ sound in words like “quiet“ might be elided, resulting in pronunciation like “quie.“
Vowel elision: unstressed vowels, especially in unstressed syllables are often susceptible to elision. For instance in the word “banana“, the 2nd unstressed syllable may undergo vowel elision in rapid speech, resulting in “b´nana.“
Word boundary elision: in connected speech, certain sounds at word boundaries may be elided. For example, in the phrase “I am“ spoken quickly, the /ə/ sound in “am“ might be elided, resulting in “I´m.“
Consonant cluster elision: it can occur to simplify pronunciation. In words like “comfortable“, the middle cluster /ft/ may undergo elision. (helped - /pt/ at the end)
Contractions: involve the elision of specific sounds between words to create more natural and shorter form.
* aren’t → are not.
* there’s → there is; there has.
* can’t → can not.
* they’d → they had; they would.
* couldn’t → could not.
* they’ll → they will; they shall.
* didn’t → did not.
* they’re → they are.
Explain and give examples of permanent elisions and optional/synchronic elisions
Permanent elisions: refer to the consistent omission or deletion of specific sounds in certain words and these elisions are typically considered standard in the pronunciation of those words. These elisions become a regular feature of the language and are often accepted as part of standard pronunciation.
1 Contractions
2 Genitive´s: indicates possession, involves the elision of a vowel sound /əz/ when attached to a word ending in an /s/ sound. (“James´ s car“ is pronounced as “James´ car“, with the elision of the vowel sound in the possessive ´s.
Optional/Synchronic elisions: occur variably in speech, influenced by factors such as speech rate, formality or emphasis. These elisions are not fixed or permanent but may happen in certain contexts.
1 vowel elision in unstressed syllables: “probably“ might be pronounced as “prob´ly“, with the optional elision of the unstressed vowel sound.
2 consonant elision in casual speech: simplifying pronunciation (“going to“ may be pronounced as “gonna“, with the elision of the /ɪ/ sound in “to“.
3 cluster reduction: optional elision, especially in informal speech (“film“ may be pronounced as “film“, with the optional elision of the /l/ sound in the cluster.
Explain and give an example of vowel elision with unstressed /ɪ/ and /ə/
In many cases, the unstressed /ɪ/ sound in a syllable can be elided or reduced to a very short, neutral sound, especially when the syllable is not emphasized.
Unstressed /ɪ/
Original: HAPPENING
Elided: HAPP´NIN´
Unstressed schwa /ə/
Original: COMFORTABLE
Elided: COMFY or COMF´TABLE
Explain and give an example of elision with words ending in /u.ə.ri/ and /u.ə.li/
Example of elision with words ending in /u.ə.ri/
* consider the word “february“ which is commonly pronounced with elision in casual speech
* the middle schwa sound might be elided or pronounced very briefly, resulting in more relaxed and commonly heard pronounciation
original: FEBRUARY
elided: FEB-RU-ARY (with the elision of the /u.ə/ sound)
example of elision with words ending in /u.ə.li/
* a word like “usually“ can also undergo elision
* the unstressed /u.ə/ sound might be elided or reduced to a very brief sound, resulting in more casual and faster pronunciation
original: USUALLY
elided: u-zhə-lee / u-zh/lee
Explain and give an example of elision with words ending in /r.ər.i/ and /ər.ər.i/
example of elision with words ending in /r.ər.i/
* original: “particular“
* elided: pə-tik-yə-lar / pə-tik-lar
* pronounced very briefly, resulting in more relaxed and faster pronunciation
example of elision with words ending in /ər.ər.i/
* original: “regularly“
* elided: reg-yə-lar-lee / reg-lar-lee
* more informal and faster pronunciation
Explain triphthong smoothing and give examples
Thriphtong smoothing is a phonological process that involves the simplification or reduction of a thriphtong into a simpler vowel sound. A thriphtong is a sequence of three vowel sounds within the same syllable. Thriphtong smoothing typically occurs in connected speech, where certain sounds are simplified for the sake of ease and fluidity of pronunciation.
* In English, the most common thriphtongs are /aɪə/ (in “fire“), /aʊə/ (in “hour“), and /ɔɪə/ (in “coir“).
Thripthong smoothing often involves reducing these thriphtongs to a simpler diphtong or monophthong.
1. /aɪə/ → /aɪ/
Fire – “fai-er“ → “fai“
- /aʊə/ → /aʊ/ or /a/
Hour- “hau-er“ → “hau“ or “ha“ - /ɔɪə/ → /ɔɪ/ or /ɔ/
Coir- “kɔɪ-ər“ → “ kɔɪ“ or “kɔ“
Explain the elision in word-initial /ɔ:l + C/ and give examples.
- Refers to the process of omitting or dropping the initial sound followed by a consonant in certain words. It occurs in connected speech and is a form of reduction that contributes to the natural flow and ease of pronunciation.
- Examples:
1. Original: “all“
Elided: “ ´bout (all) of them “
In this example, the word “all“ is elided in connected speech, and the phrase is pronounced more casually as “ ´bout of them“
2. Original: “always“
Elided: “ ´lways thought so“
3. Original: “already“
Elided: “ ´ready done“
Explain and give an example of elision in the structures C+ plosive + C
Refers to the phenomenon where a vowel sound between two consonants, specifically a plosive (a sound produced by stopping the airflow and then releasing it), is omitted or reduced in connected speech. This process helps in making the pronunciation more fluent and efficient. The extent of elision can vary among speakers, contexts and regional accents.
Examples:
1. Original: “captain“
Elided: “cap´n“
2. original: “government“
Elided: “gover´ment“
3.original: “suddenly“
Elided: “sud´nly“
Explain and give an example of elision in sequences /θs/ and /ðz/.
Involves the omission or reduction of the sounds when they occur before the plural marker /s/ or /z/. This is a common phonological phenomenon in english, especially in connected speech, where sounds are often simplified for ease of pronunciation and natural flow.
Examples of elision in /θs/:
1. Original: “baths“
Elided: “bass“
2. Original: “months“
Elided: “mons“
Examples of elision in /ðz/:
1. Original: “clothes“
Elided: “cloz“
2. Original: “buds“
Elided: “buz“
Explain elision in double consonants and pair consonants.
Involves the omission or reduction of one of the repeated consonant sounds in certain contexts, particularly in connected speech. This process contributes to the natural flow and ease of pronunciation. The extent of elision can vary among soeakers, regions and speaking styles.
1. elision in double consonants: undergo elision in informal or rapid speech. The repetition of the same consonant sound can be reduced to a single occurence.
Example: “little“
Original: lit-tle
Elided: li(t)-tle
2. elision in paired consonants: to simplify pronunciation.
Example: “handbag“
Original: hand-bag
Elided: han(d)-bag
Define assimilation in Phonetics and Phonology
Phonetics: refers to a sound change in which one sound becomes more like a neighbouring sound. This can occur when a phoneme (speech sound) changes its features to become more similar to an adjacent phoneme. Assimilation can affect various aspects of sounds, including place of articulation, voicing or nasalization.
* Example: original (handbag), assimilated (hambag)
Phonology: a process that influences the pronunciation of sounds within a language at the level of phonological rules. It refers to the adjustment of a sound to become more similar to a neighboring sound based on specific phonological contexts. Assimilation can be classified into different types, such as regressive assimilation (anticipatory assimilation) and progressive assimilation.
* Regressive assimilation:
* the sound becomes more like a following sound.
Example: “ten boys“ pronounced as “tem boys“
* Progressive assimilation:
* the sound becomes more like a preceding sound.
Example: “good boy“ pronounced as “goo(d) boy“
Explain and give examples of permanent and optional assimilation.
Permanent assimilation: refers to a type of sound change in which a phoneme undergoes a lasting alteration in its features, becoming more like a neighbouring sound. This assimiliation becomes a regular and fixed feature of the language. There are various types of permanent assimilation, and one common example is regressive.
Optional assimilation: occurs variably and is not consistently applied. It depends on factors such as speech rate, emphasis or individual speaking styles. Speakers may choose to assimilate sounds in specific contexts but may also pronounce them separately in other situations.
* Example: “this pen“ → “this (p)en“ or “this ben“
