English Phonetics: Voicing, Aspiration, and Fluency
Consonant Sounds
- /ʃ/ Lenis post-alveolar fricative
- /f/ Fortis labio-dental fricative
- /v/ Lenis labio-dental fricative
- /s/ Fortis alveolar fricative
- /tʃ/ Fortis post-alveolar affricate
- /m/ Lenis bilabial nasal
- /n/ Lenis alveolar nasal
- /ŋ/ Lenis velar nasal
- /l/ Lenis alveolar lateral approximant
- /r/ Lenis post-alveolar approximant
- /w/ Lenis labial-velar approximant
- /j/ Lenis palatal approximant
Vowels Before Fortis and Lenis Consonants
What is the difference between vowels before fortis and lenis consonants?
Read MoreUnderstanding Phonetics: Clipping, Plosives, and Gradation
Pre-Fortis Clipping
Pre-fortis clipping: This refers to how vowels are lengthened or shortened based on whether they are followed by voiced or voiceless sounds. It’s known that “short” vowels can be longer than “long” ones when followed by voiceless phonemes /p, t, k, f, θ, s, ʃ, tʃ/, a shortening process called pre-fortis clipping. For example, in “bead” vs. “beat,” the vowel /i:/ is longer in “beat” because /t/ is a voiceless phoneme.
Rhythmic Clipping
Rhythmic Clipping: This is the reduction
Read MoreConnected Speech and Intonation in English
Introduction
In connected speech, some phenomena occur at word boundaries, often changing the sounds substantially. For example, sounds may be:
- Elided (e.g., give [h]im a letter)
- Assimilated (e.g., give me > ‘gimme’)
- Linked (e.g., the idea of > the idea[r]of)
- Geminated (e.g., this summer > this[s:]ummer)
Elision
Elision is the deletion of a sound or group of sounds. It is normally optional, but widespread. It is mostly motivated by articulatory economy. It affects individual consonants (Cs)
Read MoreUnderstanding 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;
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”
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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