lecture 2: SSD theory

Question 1

why is IPA necessary?

Answer 1

provides 1-to-1 relationship between symbols and sounds

Question 2

which 2 dimensions of speech sounds do we want to fix?

Answer 2

1. up/down
2. front/back

Question 3

whats the diff bw phonemes and phones? example?

Answer 3

• phoneme: abstract (in the brain)
• phones: family members of phonemes / articulatory variations
• example: phoneme = /l/, phones = palatized or velarized /l/’s

Question 4

T or F: you cannot produce a phoneme

Answer 4

true! you produce PHONES

Question 5

how should you differentiate bw phonemic and phonetic transcription?

Answer 5

• phonemic: slashes //
• phonetic: brackets []

Question 6

what is the sonority sequencing principle (SSP)?

Answer 6

center of syllable (nucleus) = sonority peak, decreases on either side

Question 7

what is the sonority scale? (7)

Answer 7

1. stops
2. affricates
3. fricatives
4. nasals
5. approximants
6. semi-vowels
7. vowels

Question 8

if a client pronounces /cat/ as [tat] how can you demonstrate that this is fronting and not assimilation?

Answer 8

• have client say a word that contains a diff sound in the coda (eg labial sound like /cap/)
• if they say [tap] you know they are fronting

Question 9

which error is most concerning: different place of articulation, different manner of articulation, or voicing issue?

Answer 9

voicing (fundamental)

Question 10

which error most negatively impacts intelligibility: different place of articulation, different manner of articulation, or voicing issue?

Answer 10

different place of articulation

Question 11

pros (3) vs cons (4) of natural phonology?

Answer 11

• pros: provides normative data on age appropriateness of processes, allows analysis, helps identify patterns
• cons: does not explain speech development, assumes child is aware of adult system, IPA transcription is questionable, context plays a role

Question 12

describe the distinctive feature system (2)

Answer 12

• sound combos are only meaningful if they contrast
• contrasts (distinctive features) are based on articulation or acoustics of the sounds

Question 13

using distinctive features, how do you determine how severe a person’s articulation is?

Answer 13

• count how far they are from the target
• violating more features = more severe

Question 14

T or F: number of phonemes in error may not necessarily determine intelligibility

Answer 14

true – a child who makes errors on 10 phonemes may be more intelligible than a child who makes 5 (depends on type of feature missed)

Question 15

how are minimal pairs used in intervention?

Answer 15

a feature is taught through contrasting phonemes which differ in the presence or absence of the target feature (eg Pat vs Bat)

Question 16

how many distinctive features cause the majority of speech problems?

Answer 16

4

Question 17

cons of distinctive features system? (5)

Answer 17

• limited to feature errors (ignores deletions, syllable structure changes)
• misses out on important info
• coarticulation blends features
• does not account for interaction between levels
• dated

Question 18

main points of generative (linear) phonology?

Answer 18

underlying forms (phonological) are translated to surface forms (phonetic) through a process called derivation

Question 19

what are unmarked sounds? (2)

Answer 19

• sounds that are acquired earlier and are more universal
• children replace marked with unmarked/natural sounds in both normal and disordered speech

Question 20

what are the two rules of generative (linear) phonology?

Answer 20

1. voicing assimilation: /z/ = [s] / [+consonant - voice] (eg cats vs dogs)
2. epenthesis: insert ə / [+consonant +fricative] ___ [+consonant +fricative] (eg dishes)

Question 21

key point of non-linear phonology?

Answer 21

captures relationships among segments by positing hierarchical organization of words, syllables, segments, and features

Question 22

parts of syllable?

Answer 22

• onset
• rime: nucleus + coda

Question 23

what are the layers of non-linear phonology? (4)

Answer 23

1. segmental tier (features – POA, MOA, voicing)
2. CV tier
3. onset vs rime
4. syllable/stress layer

Question 24

what kind of interaction occurs if a client is dropping /r/ in weak syllables only (kept in onsets and strong syllables)?

Answer 24

CV tier interacts with syllable/stress layer?

Question 25

whats the diff bw articulatory gesture vs articulatory synergies?

Answer 25

• gesture: higher level (eg lip closure)
• synergy: lower level (eg upper + lower lip + jaw)