Phonetic Sciences

Question 1

What are Phonetic Sciences (AAP)? What does the application of this study help with?

Answer 1

The study of the production of speech sounds: their form (articulations), substance (acoustic properties) and perception.

The application of this study leads to a better understanding and improvement of linguistic expression

Question 2

What does Phonetics focus on? What does Phonology focus on?

Answer 2

Phonetics focuses of the production of speech sounds…..speech-based.

Phonology focuses on the linguistic or phonological rules that are used to specify the manner in which speech sounds are organized into meaningful units such as syllables, words, sentences.

Question 3

List the 6 Branches of Phonetics?

Answer 3

1. Historical Phonetics
2. Physiological/Articulatory Phonetics
3. Acoustic Phonetics
4. Perceptual Phonetics
5. Experimental Phonetics
6. Clinical or Applied Phonetics

Question 4

Define Historical Phonetics

Answer 4

The study of sound changes in words over time—the way they are pronounced. This is constantly happening in all languages

Question 5

Define Physiological/Articulatory Phonetics

Answer 5

Study of the function of speech organs (tongue, lips, etc.) during speaking.

Each organ has an individual role

Question 6

Define Acoustic Phonetics

Give an example.

Answer 6

Study of the differences in frequency, intensity, and duration of consonants and vowels

These differences allow listeners to differentiate sounds, syllables, and words from one another

Example: “mug,” “hug,” “rug,” “thug”: Initial consonants differentiate

Question 7

Define Perceptual Phonetics

Answer 7

Study of a listener’s “psychoacoustic response” (perception) of speech with regard to loudness, pitch, perceived length, quality……

Question 8

Define Experimental Phonetics (PAP)

How does lab equipment contribute?

Answer 8

The lab study of physiological, acoustic, and perceptual phonetics

Lab equipment measures attributes of speech organs during speech and measures the acoustic characteristics of speech

Question 9

Define Clinical or Applied Phonetics

Answer 9

A big part of the field of Speech Pathology

Study and transcription of “aberrant” or “non-normal” speech behaviors

Children and adults

Hearing impairment, phonological (speech sound) disorder, fluency disorder, post head trauma or stroke, etc.

Accent reduction-dialectical variation-not a disorder