Phonetics as a linguistic science
What is phonetics?
The study of the sounds of speech
What is a phoneme?
The smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish meaning
What is the standard pronunciation type in Britain
Received Pronunciation (RP)
What is a monophthong?
A vowel with a single, unchanging sound quality
What are the main criteria for classifying consonants?
Place of articulation, manner of articulation, and voicing um
Name three main branches of phonetics
Articulatory, acoustic, auditory
Who introduced the term “phoneme”?
Nikolai Trubetzkoy
What is the standard American English pronunciation called?
General American (GA)
What is the difference between tense and lax vowels?
Tense vowels require more muscle effort and are typically longer; lax vowels are shorter
What is a diphtong?
A diphtong is a combination of vowels. The tongue moves from one vowel position to another
What does articulatory phonetics study?
The production of speech sounds by the vocal organs
What is minimal pair analysis?
A method of identifying phonemes by finding pairs of words that differ in only one sound
What is “flapping” in American English?
The pronunciation of /t/ and /d/ as a quick, soft /ɾ/ in words like butter or ladder.
Give an example of a diphthong in English.
/aɪ/ as in eye,time,kite
What does “rounded” mean in terms of vowel articulation? give example
Rounded means the lips are protruded or shaped into a circular position during articulation. /u:/ as in goose and /ʊ/ as in foot.
Which branch of phonetics analyzes the physical properties of speech sounds?
Acoustic phonetics
What are allophones?
Variant pronunciations of the same phoneme that do not change meaning
How is the word bath pronounced in Southern English?
With a long /ɑ:/, like bah-th
How are vowel phonemes classified?
They are classified by tongue height, tongue position, and lip rounding
What is meant by the term “checked vowels”?
Checked vowels are vowels that occur in closed syllables (syllables with a consonant at the end), where the vowel sound is shorter and restricted. /ɪ/ in sit and /ʊ/ in put.
What is the difference between phonetics and phonology?
Phonetics studies the physical aspects of sounds; phonology studies their functional role in language
Define complementary distribution.
When two sounds never occur in the same phonetic environment, they are in complementary distribution
How are vowel sounds like in the words cat and hat pronounced in Scottish English?
In Scottish English, the vowel sounds are pronounced shorter and more fronted compared to Southern English. For example: cat sounds like /kæt/ with a short, sharp /æ/
What does “front” and “back” refer to in terms of vowel classification? Give an example of each.
Front vowels are pronounced with the tongue positioned toward the front of the mouth. Example: /i:/ in see. Back vowels are pronounced with the tongue positioned toward the back of the mouth. Example: /u:/ in boot.
What is a free vowel?
A free vowel is a vowel that occurs in open syllables (syllables that end in a vowel), and it has a longer duration compared to a checked vowel./i:/ in seat and /u:/ in boot.