Say Ah!
This unstressed vowel is the most commonly produced sound in English.
What is schwa? [ə]
This sound, [b], is classified on IPA charts with this desgination.
What is a bilabial voiced stop?
Don't be fooled by this word: [kan].
What is 'con'?
Over time, the structure of the English language has become less reliant on word endings for meaning. In other words, English is now less of this.
What is synthetic?
Can you say 'spaceship'? This sound change occurs when sounds become more alike.
What is assimilation?
These vowels, [i], [e], and [u] have this feature in common that involves tightening the tongue when the sounds are produced.
What is a tense vowel?
These consonant sounds, such as [f] and [s], are produced by a continuous stream of air.
What are fricatives (or continuants)?
Don't go nuts over this one. It varies depending on your dialect. [pIkan] or [pikæn] or even [pəkan].
What is 'pecan'?
English now depends more on word order than inflectional endings. Thus, it is now this kind of language.
What is analytic?
"Whatcher name?" "Watcha doing?" This sound change occurs frequently in everyday speech.
What is palatalization?
All English back vowels, [o], [u], [ɔ], [ʊ], have this feature in common.
What is rounding?
There is only one difference between these two sounds, [b] and [p].
What is voiced/voiceless?
Tap your feet to this one: [mjuzIk}.
What is music?
"Pow," "boom," "clash"! These 'batman' words are formerly known by this name.
What are echo words? (or onomatopoeia)
'Mos' of my famly' employs this sound change, which involves omitting sounds.
What is ellision?
Two syllables combine into a single sound! We have three of these in English.
What are diphthongs?
In English, we have only three of this type of sound, produced when the airstream is emitted from the nasal cavity. Name the three nasals.
What are [m], [n], and [ŋ]?
Doing this might make you tired: [mærəθan]
What is a marathon?
Language is passed down from one generation to the next. In other words, it is this.
"Grandma makes the best pie in the 'woruld' even though she has 'artharitis.'" This intrusion of schwa has a fancy name.
What is svarabakhti?
Vowels are classified as high, middle, or low based on this feature.
What is height of the tongue?
These two semi-vowels aren't really vowel substitutes, but they are produced in a similar fashion to vowels.
What are [w] and [j]?
Don't be this: [ærəgənt]
What is 'arrogant'?
This definition of language will get you some points in Dr. Jamison's class.
What is "conventional, arbitrary system of sounds"?
Don't go 'nucular' over this one! Just 'axe' someone to give you a hint! Switching sounds in this manner happens to the best of us.
What is metathesis?