Английская фонетика

THE THEORETICAL COURSE IN ENGLISH PHONETICS 

Student Пяшкун А.А., 2 курс, заочное отделение        Group ____ 
 

CONTROL TASKS № 2. Answer the following questions: 
 

1. Give the definition of vowel sounds.

Vowels are rather weak sounds that make no obstruction to the airstream in the larynx or cavities, and the muscular tension is diffused evenly during their production.

2. Characterize the English vowels [ɪ] and [iː] according to the horizontal and vertical movements of the tongue.

Vowel [ɪ] is front-retracted close-broad, and vowel [i:] is front close-narrow.

3. Characterize the English vowels [e] and [æ] according to the horizontal and vertical movements of the tongue.

Vowel [e] is front mid-narrow and vowel [æ] is front open-broad.

4. Characterize the English vowels [uː] and [ʊ] according to the horizontal and vertical movements of the tongue.

Vowel [u:] is back close-narrow and vowel [ʊ] is back-advanced close-broad.

5. Give the definition of noise consonant sounds.

Noise consonants are rather strong sounds that make some obstruction (complete, incomplete or intermediate) to the airstream in the larynx or cavities, and the muscular tension is concentrated in the place of articulation during their production.

6. Characterize the English consonants [ð] and [q] according to the work of the vocal cords and the force of exhalation.

Consonant [ð] is voiced lenis (weak) and consonant [θ] is voiceless fortis (strong).

7. Define the English consonants [ʧ] and [ʤ] according to the manner of articulation and the type of obstruction.

Сonsonants [ʧ] and [ʤ] are occlusive-constrictive affricates.

8. Characterize the English consonants [s] and [z] according to the work of the vocal cords and the force of exhalation.

Consonant [s] is voiceless fortis (strong) and consonant [z] is voiced lenis (weak).

9. Define the English consonants [w] and [v] according to the active articulator and the point of articulation.

Consonant [w] is bilabial and consonant [v] is labiodental.

10. Define the English consonants [p] and [f] according to the manner of articulation and the type of obstruction.

Consonant [p] is occlusive plosive and consonant [f] is constrictive fricative.

11. Give the definition of sonorous consonant sounds.

Sonorous consonants are weak sounds that make some obstruction (complete or not narrow) to the airstream in the larynx or cavities, and the muscular tension is concentrated in the place of articulation during their production.

12. Define the English consonants [l] and [r] according to the active articulator and the point of articulation.

Consonant [l] is apical alveolar and consonant [r] is cacuminal (retroflex) post-alveolar.

13. Define the English consonants [n] and [ŋ] according to the active articulator and the point of articulation.

Consonant [n] is apical alveolar and consonant [ŋ] is back-lingual velar.

14. In which stage of articulation do the speech organs start to move from the neutral position?

The initial stage of articulation is called on-glide (excursion).

15. In which stage of articulation do the speech organs remain in the necessary position?

The medial stage of articulation is called the hold (retention).

16. In which stage of articulation do the speech organs return to the neutral position?

The final stage of articulation is called off-glide (recursion).

17. Explain the difference between articulation and coarticulation.

Articulation is the movement of one or more vocal organs in the production of speech, and coarticulation is the overlap of the articulatory movements for different sounds in connected speech resulting in their modifications.

18. Give the definition of assimilation.

Assimilation is the adaptation of the articulations of the two neighbouring consonants when one consonant becomes identical with or similar to it’s neighbouring consonant.

19. Define the direction, the kind and the degree of completeness for the assimilation in the word ‘sway’ [sweɪ].

We deal with the regressive ([s] becomes labialized [s^w]) incomplete ([s] keeps its main phonological features and become partly similar to [w])  historical assimilation in this word. 

20. Define the direction, the kind and the degree of completeness for the assimilation in the word ‘snail’ [sneɪɫ].

We deal with progressive (sonorant [n] is partly devoiced by [s]) incomplete ([n] keeps its main phonological features and become partly similar to [s]) historical assimilation in this word.

21. Define the direction, the kind and the degree of completeness for the assimilation in the word ‘newspaper’ [ˈnjuːspeɪpə].

We deal with the regressive ([s] is devoiced by [p]) intermediate ([s] is changed but does not become identical with [p]) contextual assimilation in this word.

22. Define the direction, the degree of completeness and the degree of stability for the assimilation in the phrase ‘good game’ [ˈɡʊɡ˽ˈɡeɪm].

We deal with the regressive ([g] is formed before release of [d]) complete ([d] is changed and is identical with [g]) stylistic assimilation in this phrase.

23. Define the direction, the degree of completeness and the degree of stability for the assimilation in the phrase ‘miss you’ [ˈmɪʃ˽jʊ].

We deal with the regressive ([s] is changed by [j] and become more back [ʃ]) intermediate ([s] is changed but does not become identical with [j]) stylistic assimilation in this phrase.

24. Give the definition of accommodation.

Accommodation is the  modification in the articulation of a vowel or consonant sound under the influence of a neighbouring consonant or vowel sound correspondingly.

25. What kind of accommodation takes place in the words ‘on’ [õn] and ‘am’ [ǣm]?

It is the regressive accommodation according the position of the soft palate (nasalization of [o] and [æ]).

26. What kind of accommodation takes place in the word ‘knelt’ [nɛɫt]?

It is the regressive accommodation according to the vertical position of the tongue ([e] becomes more open [ɛ]).

27. What kind of accommodation takes place in the word ‘seashore’ [ˈsiːʃɔː]?

It is the regressive accommodation according to lips position (we pronounce spread [s] and rounded [ʃ]).

28. What phonetic phenomenon can be defined as ‘the process of shortening, weakening or disappearance of vowels in unstressed positions’?

This phonetic phenomenon is called reduction (vowel reduction). 

29. Explain the difference between syncope, apocope and aphesis.

Syncope is the loss of the unstressed vowel from the interior of a word; apocope is the loss of one or more sounds at the end of a word; aphesis is the loss of the short unstressed vowel from the beginning of a word.

30. What phonetic phenomenon can be defined as ‘the separation of successive sounds by an intervening sound’?

The phonetic process in which successive sounds are separated by an intervening sound is called epenthesis.

31. What is the difference between prosthesis and insertion?

Prosthesis is the addition of a vowel or a consonant sound at the beginning of a word, and insertion is the addition of a vowel or a consonant sound within a word.

32. What is the difference between the ‘linking-r’ and the ‘intrusive-r’?

«Linking-r» is a pronunciation of the final [r] in connected speech if the next word begins with a vowel; «intrusive-r» is the addition of the sound [r] even if there is no letter «r» in the spelling.

Assessment:_______________  

Scale of assessment: 100% - 91% = excellent, 90% - 75% = good, 74% - 60% = satisfactory; 59%… = ungraded.