Understanding Syllables: Phonetics, Phonology, and Structure

The Syllable: Phonetics and Phonology

Phonetically: The way we produce syllables and the way they sound. Syllables consist of a centre which sounds comparatively loud. At the beginning and at the end of the centre, there will be greater obstruction to airflow or sound.

Minimum syllable: Single vowels in isolation, such as /ɑː/ or /ɔː/, are syllables. Other isolated sounds such as /ʃ/ or /ɱ/ must also be regarded as syllables.

  • Syllable with an onset: Have more than silence preceding the centre;
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Mastering English Pronunciation: Sounds and Stress

Rhythm in English Speech

English speech is rhythmical, exhibiting a stress-timed rhythm at regular intervals. The unit used to measure this rhythm is called a foot.

Types of Assimilation

  • Progressive Assimilation: The preceding sound influences the following sound. For example, in regular past tense verbs:
    • “Moved” (voiced ending)
    • “Worked” (voiceless ending)
  • Regressive Assimilation: The assimilated sound precedes and is affected by the conditioning sound. Examples include:
    • “Grandpa” often becomes “Graenpa”
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Understanding Stress in English: Emphasis, Contrast, and Function Words

Understanding Stress in English

Emphasis, Contrast, and Correct Stress

The use of emphasis can change the focus and meaning of a sentence. For example: “Did you drive to London last week?”

Contrastive stress is used to emphasize the element that needs to be contrasted for clarity. For example: “Are you going to go outside or stay inside today?” or “Do you like this one or that one?”

Correct stress is used to correct a previous statement by giving more prominence to the correct information. For example:

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Semantic and Phonetic Analysis of English Language

1. Word Meaning: Referential and Functional Approaches

There are three concepts of word meaning. The first is connected with the sound-form of the linguistic sign, the second is the idea underlying this sound-form, and the last is the actual referent. This view of word meaning is known as the “basic triangle.” It shows that the sound-form of the linguistic sign is connected with our idea of the referent. The common feature of any referential approach is the implication that meaning is, in some

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Understanding English Pronunciation: Vowels, Diphthongs, and Triphthongs

Understanding the /æ/ Vowel Sound

The /æ/ sound is unrounded, front, and pronounced between half-open and open. It is halfway between the Spanish /a/ and /e/.

Quantity

Usually a short sound, /æ/ may be lengthened when followed by /b/, /d/, /g/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, or /ʤ/. For example, compare bad [bæ:d] vs. bat [bæt] or bag [bæ:g] vs. back [bæk].

Distribution

The /æ/ sound is never found at the end of a syllable, with the exception of the word baa /bæ/ in American English.

Allophones

The /æ/ sound

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Speech Sounds: Phonetics and Phonology Explained

Phonetics and Phonology: Understanding Speech Sounds

Key Concepts in Phonetics

Phonetics is the study of the sounds of language. Phonology determines the phonemes of a language. Spelling is also an important aspect of language.

  • Phoneme: The smallest linguistic unit without meaning that a speaker intends to produce. Each phoneme can have different phonetic realizations.
  • Sound: The realization of phonemes. Each phoneme may have multiple realizations depending on the context. Each variation is called an
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