Phonetics
Topic outline
-
-
LMD2 Phonetics Lecture
Educator: Dr. BENGUEDDA, Amina.
Semester2
Weak Forms
1.1 Introduction
There are a number of well-known English words (just about 40) that can be pronounced in two different ways called strong forms and weak forms.
eg: I [wəz] `there vs. Yes, I [`wɒz]
These words belong to a category called grammatical words or function words (auxiliaries, modals, prepositions, conjunctions, articles, pronouns...) as opposed to lexical words or content words (verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and question words).
Function words are frequently pronounced in their weak forms but only the strong form is acceptable in certain contexts.
5.2 Contexts
1- In the end of a sentence for auxiliaries, modals, and prepositions.
e.g. I’m `fond of [əv] `chips vs. It is `chips that I’m `fond of [ɒv].
e.g. Can [kən] I help you? Yes, you `can [kæn].
2-When two function words are contrasted (and thus emphasized).
e.g. The letter is `from [frɒm] him not `to [tu:] him.
3-When a function word is given stress for emphasis.
e.g. You `must [mʌst] decide now.
NB: Weak form words beginning with ‘h’ (he, her, his, have) are pronounced with [h] in the beginning of a sentence. But, ‘h’ is dropped elsewhere in the sentence.
e.g. Her `car was `damaged [hə `ka: wəz `dæmɪdʒd].
I said her car was damaged [I `sed ǝ `ka: wǝz `dæmɪdʒd].
Strong form of `her’ > I said `her car not yours! [I sed `hɜ: `ka: nɒt `jɔ:z].
e.g. He has done it! [hi əz `dʌn ɪt] – I know he has. [aɪ `nəʊ ɪ `hæz].
· In weak forms, the general rule is the weakening of the realisation of the phoneme in question.
1- Difference of vowel sound, i.e,. any vowel becomes a schwa. V → [ǝ]
e.g. /bʌt/ → [bǝt] ; /hæv/ → [hǝv] ; /f ɔ:/ → [fə] .
2- Difference of vowel length, i.e. long vowel becomes short vowel VV → V
e.g. / hi: /→ [hi] - /ju:/ → [ju]
3- Absence of sound ‘
h’.‘h’. /h/ → [Ø]1- v →[ǝ]
1-‘The’ /i: /, [ðǝ], e.g. shut the door [ʃʌt ðə `dↄ:]. Before vowels, eg.the end [ði `end]
2-‘A’ /eɪ/, [ǝ], e.g. read a book [`ri:d ǝ bʊk]. Before vowels, eg. an apple [ǝn `æpļ]
3-‘And’ /æ/, [ǝnd], eg. come and see [`kʌm ǝn (d) `si:] or [ņ] after t, d, s, z, ʃ e.g. fish and chips [`fɪʃ ņ `tʃɪps [yes and no] [`jes ņ `nǝʊ] girls and boys [`gɜ:z ņ `bↄɪz]
4-‘But’ /ʌ/, [bǝt], e.g. it’s good but expensive [ɪts `gʊd bǝt ɪks`pensɪv]
5-‘That’ /æ/, [ðǝt] (vs. demonstrative [`ðæt], e.g. That’s the thing that annoys me. [`ðæts ðǝ `Ɵɪŋ ðǝt ǝ`nↄɪz mi].
6-‘Than’ /e/, [ðǝn] e.g. Better than ever [`betǝ ðǝn `evǝ]
7-‘your’ /ↄ:/, [jǝ], e.g. Take your time [`teɪk jǝ `taɪm]
NB before vowels ‘r’ is realized, e.g. on your own [`ɒn jǝr `ǝʊn]
8-‘Them’8-‘Them’ /e/, [ðǝm], e.g. Leave them here [`li:vðǝm `hɪǝ]9-‘Some’9-‘Some’ /ʌ/, [sǝm], e.g. Have some more [`hævsǝm `mↄ:]10-
There’‘There’ /eǝ/,[ðə] , e.g. There should be a rule [ðǝ `ʃʊd bi ǝ `ru:l]NB: before vowels: there is [ðǝr ɪz]
11-‘Can’11-‘Can’ /æ/, could /ʊ/ → [ǝ] e.g. They can wait [’ðeɪ kǝn `weɪt] You could have done it [ju kǝd ǝv `dʌn it].12- Have, has, had, /æ/, [ǝ] e.g. Which one have you seen? [`wɪtʃ `wʌn ǝv ju `si:n]
13- Am /æ/, are /a: /, was /ɒ/, were /ɜ:/ → [ǝ]
e.g. He was here a minute ago [hi wǝz `hɪǝr ǝ `mɪnɪt ǝ`gǝʊ]
What am I doing? [`wɒtǝmaɪ`du:ɪŋ]
They were late [`ðeɪ wǝ `leɪt]
NB: In final position: æm, a:,wɒz, wɜ:
e.g. They weren’t as young as we were [ðeɪ `wɜ:nt ǝz `jʌŋ ǝz wi `wɜ:]
14-
Shall‘Shall’ /æ/ → [ʃǝl]-[ʃļ ] ; Should / ʊ/ → [ʃǝd]e.g. We shall need to hurry [wi ʃ ļ `ni:d tǝ `hʌri]. You should do it [ju ʃǝd `du: ɪt].
15- ‘Must’ /ʌ/, [mǝst], e.g. You must try [ju mǝs `traɪ]
16-‘At’ /æ/, [ǝt], e.g. See you at lunch [`si: ju ǝt `lʌntʃ]
In final position: What are you looking at? [æt], e.g. [`wɒt ǝ ju `lʊkɪŋ `æt]
17-‘Us’ /ʌ/, [ǝs], e.g. all of us [`ↄ:l ǝv ǝs]
18- ‘From’ /ɒ/, [frǝm]; I think it comes from outside [aɪ `Ɵɪŋk ɪt `kʌmz frǝm aʊt`saɪd] But in final position it is [frɒm] ; Where do you come from? [’weǝ dǝ ju `kʌm `frɒm]
19-‘Of’ /ɒ/, [ǝv], e.g. Most of all [`mǝʊst ǝv `ↄ:l]. Final position: [`ɒv]
20-‘To’ /u:/ [tǝ]; to go [tǝ `gǝʊ] but: [tu] before vowels, e.g. to Algiers [tu `a:ldʒɪǝz]
21-‘As’ /æ/, [ǝz], e.g. As soon as possible [ǝz `su:n ǝz `pɒsɪbļ]
22-‘For’ /ↄ:/ [fǝ]; It’s quite hard for me [ɪts `kwaɪt `ha:d fǝ mi] ; It’s quite hard for us [ɪts `kwaɪt `ha:d fǝr ǝs].
23- do, does /u: /, /ʌ/ → [dǝ], [dǝz], e.g. What do they want? [`wɒt dǝ ðeɪ `wɒnt]
Does it ring a bell to you? [`dǝz ɪt `rɪŋ ǝ `bel tǝ ju].
NB: before vowels [du] e.g., Do all people know? [du ↄ:l `pi:pl `nǝʊ]
2 -/vv/→ [v]
1- She, we, he, me, be, the /i: /→ [i], e.g. Who is she? [`hu: ɪz ʃi]
2- You, to, do /u:/ → [u], e.g. What do you think? [`wɒt dǝ ju `Ɵɪŋk]
3-/h/→ Ø
a- He, his, him, and her, e.g. What is his name? [`wɒts ɪz `neɪm]
Ask her to come [`a:sk ǝ tǝ `kʌm]
b-Have, has, had e.g. We have finished [wi ǝv `fɪnɪʃd]
NB: Auxiliaries and modals never have weak forms in the negative, e.g. She hasn’t finished [ʃi `hæzņt `fɪnɪʃd] ; No I can’t [`nǝʊ aɪ `ka:nt] .
You shouldn’t have done that [ju `ʃʊdņt ǝv `dʌn `ðæt].
-
Course of phonetics
L2
credit 2
Coefficient 1
Educators:
Dr BENADLA, Lamia (benadla_lamia@live.fr)
Evaluation: exam 50/ Continuous Evaluation 50
Bibliography:
Roach, P.
-
Can you tell us, what kind of difficulty you faced yourself? Particularly, when it comes to the differences between written and verbal forms of English
How do you hear people pronouncing these utterances
Good morning
Good night
Bad girl
What did you notice?
-
Wtch the video above, and define assimilation
Can you think of examples of assimilation?
-
what is assimilation in English phonology
Assimilation in English phonology refers to the process where a sound changes to become more similar to a neighboring sound. This process is common in English and can occur within a word or between words. It is a natural part of the way we speak and is influenced by the sounds that surround it.
Assimilation can occur in two main types: complete assimilation and partial assimilation. Complete assimilation is where the sound is changed to be exactly the same as the sound causing the assimilation. Partial assimilation is where the sound is changed to be similar to the sound causing the assimilation but still retains some of its original features[1][2][3].
There are different aspects of assimilation in English phonology. One common type is anticipatory assimilation, where the sound is influenced by the sound that comes before it. For example, the /n/ sound in the word "handbag" is pronounced as /m/ because the /m/ and /b/ sounds are both bilabial consonants and their sites of articulation are similar[1].
Assimilation is a common phenomenon in English and is particularly noticeable in rapid speech. It is also more likely to occur in casual, informal speech rather than in slow, careful speech[1][2][3].
In summary, assimilation in English phonology is the process where a sound changes to become more similar to a neighboring sound, often due to the influence of the sounds that surround it. This process is common in English and can occur within a word or between words, and it is influenced by the sounds that surround it[1][2][3].
Citations:
[1] Assimilation in language? https://www.jargon-ls.com/post/assimilation
[2] [PDF] Assimilation of Consonants in English and Assimilation of the Definite ... https://www.arjonline.org/papers/arjel/v1-i4/3.pdf
[3] Phonetic Assimilation: Types and Examples - Vaia https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/english/phonetics/phonetic-assimilation/
[4] [PDF] Assimilation and elision - Onestopenglish https://www.onestopenglish.com/download?ac=3392
[5] Assimilation: When Two Sounds Combine - Tools for Clear Speech https://tfcs.baruch.cuny.edu/assimilation/
[6] [PDF] Assimilation in English Connected Speech https://www.iasj.net/iasj/pdf/49a5290116353f98
[7] Assimilation (Grammar) Definition and Examples - ThoughtCo https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-assimilation-phonetics-1689141
[8] Assimilation in English Language | PPT - SlideShare https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/assimilation-in-english-language/123830564
-
So, relying on what is in the video, can you guess how can sounds influence each other? Or at which level can this influence be?
-
what are assimilation of place, of manner, and of voicing in English
Assimilation is a fundamental process in linguistics where the sounds within a word or between words change to become more similar to each other. This process can occur in various aspects of speech, including the place of articulation, manner of articulation, and voicing of consonants. In English, assimilation plays a significant role in shaping the pronunciation of words and can be observed in different contexts.
### Assimilation of Place
Assimilation of place refers to the change in the place of articulation of a consonant due to its proximity to another consonant or a vowel. This process is common in English and can occur in various ways.
1. **Place Assimilation in Obstruent Clusters**: In English, the place of articulation of a consonant can change when it appears in a cluster with another consonant. For example, the /t/ in "stop" becomes a /p/ when followed by /p/, as in "stopper" [1].
2. **Place Assimilation Across Word Boundaries**: Place assimilation can also occur across word boundaries. For instance, the /t/ in "good" can become a /d/ when followed by a nasal consonant across a word boundary, as in "good morning" [ɡʊd mɔnɪŋ] → [ɡʊ̃m mɔ̃ːnɪ̃ŋ] [4].
### Assimilation of Manner
Assimilation of manner refers to the change in the manner of articulation of a consonant due to its proximity to another consonant or a vowel. This process is also common in English and can occur in various ways.
1. **Manner Assimilation in Obstruent Clusters**: Similar to place assimilation, manner assimilation can occur within obstruent clusters. For example, the /d/ in "good" can become a nasal /m/ when followed by a nasal consonant across a word boundary, as in "good morning" [ɡʊd mɔnɪŋ] → [ɡʊ̃m mɔ̃ːnɪ̃ŋ] [4].
2. **Manner Assimilation Across Word Boundaries**: Manner assimilation can also occur across word boundaries. For instance, the /v/ in "I have more" can become a nasal /ŋ/ when followed by a nasal consonant across a word boundary, as in "I have more" [aɪ hæv maɪn] → [æ hæ̃m mɔ̃ː] [4].
### Assimilation of Voicing
Assimilation of voicing refers to the change in the voicing of a consonant due to its proximity to another consonant or a vowel. This process is also common in English and can occur in various ways.
1. **Voicing Assimilation in Obstruent Clusters**: Voicing assimilation can occur within obstruent clusters. For example, the /t/ in "stop" can become a voiced /d/ when followed by a voiced consonant, as in "stopper" [1].
2. **Voicing Assimilation Across Word Boundaries**: Voicing assimilation can also occur across word boundaries. For instance, the /t/ in "good" can become a voiced /d/ when followed by a voiced consonant across a word boundary, as in "good morning" [ɡʊd mɔnɪŋ] → [ɡʊ̃d mɔ̃ːnɪ̃ŋ] [4].
In summary, assimilation of place, manner, and voicing are all common processes in English that can occur within obstruent clusters or across word boundaries. These processes play a significant role in shaping the pronunciation of words and can be influenced by various factors such as the proximity of consonants and vowels, the position of consonants within a word, and the context in which words are used.
Citations:
[1] Phonological 'voicing', phonetic voicing, and assimilation in English https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S038800010600091X
[2] Voice assimilation of morphemic -s in the L2 English of L1 French, L1 ... https://journals.openedition.org/anglophonia/3711
[3] [PDF] Transfer of Korean Manner Assimilation to English - S-Space https://s-space.snu.ac.kr/bitstream/10371/90780/1/10.%20Transfer%20of%20Korean%20Manner%20Assimilation%20to%20English.pdf
[4] Assimilation of Manner - SLT info https://www.sltinfo.com/csp101-assimilaton-of-manner/
[5] Chapter 11.8: Assimilation - ALIC – Analyzing Language in Context https://alic.sites.unlv.edu/chapter-11-8-assimilation/
[6] Assimilation of Voice - SLT info https://www.sltinfo.com/csp101-assimilaton-of-voice/
[7] Assimilation of Place - SLT info https://www.sltinfo.com/csp101-assimilaton-of-place/
[8] Nasal place assimilation - Phonology - Case Studies: Catalan https://www.laits.utexas.edu/phonology/catalan/cat_clusters2.html
[9] Phonetics & phonology.. Assimilation of voicing - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VVHVZVss1o
[10] Voice assimilation - Taalportaal - the digital language portal https://taalportaal.org/taalportaal/topic/pid/topic_20150901170010494
[11] [PDF] Assimilation of Consonants in English and Assimilation of the Definite ... https://www.arjonline.org/papers/arjel/v1-i4/3.pdf
[12] Consonant voicing and devoicing - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consonant_voicing_and_devoicing
[13] Assimilation (phonology) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assimilation_%28phonology%29
[14] Assimilation of /t/, /d/ and /n/ - English Pronunciation https://www.englishpronunciationmadrid.com/connected-speech/linking/assimilation/
[15] 13.2 Assimilation - American English Phonetics http://americanphonetics.ruhosting.nl/course/13-assimilation-elision-and-insertion/13-2assimilation/
[16] [PDF] Assimilation in English Connected Speech https://www.iasj.net/iasj/pdf/49a5290116353f98
[17] Assimilation of Place and Manner | PDF | Speech | Consonant - Scribd https://www.scribd.com/presentation/391917215/Assimilation-of-Place-and-Manner
[18] Assimilation of Manner - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISkx_7nyxI
[19] [PDF] Place Assimilation - Internet Archive Scholar https://scholar.archive.org/work/g3xn7wl3mffgnne7rd3fngewoi/access/wayback/http:/udel.edu:80/~heinz/classes/2014/861/materials/handouts/Jongho_Jun_handout_by_Iman.pdf
-
The video below refers to cases of assimilation as directions of assimilation
Can you guess its implication?
what are directions of assimilation in English
There are two main directions of assimilation in English:
## Progressive Assimilation
In progressive assimilation, a sound influences a following sound, causing it to change. For example, in the word "stopper", the /t/ becomes a /p/ under the influence of the following /p/.
## Regressive Assimilation
In regressive assimilation, a sound influences a preceding sound. This is more common in English. For instance, in the phrase "good morning", the /d/ in "good" becomes a nasal /n/ under the influence of the following /m/[1][3].
Some other examples of regressive assimilation in English:
- The /t/ in "good" becomes a /d/ when followed by a voiced consonant, as in "good morning" [ɡʊd mɔnɪŋ] → [ɡʊ̃d mɔ̃ːnɪ̃ŋ][3]
- The /v/ in "I have more" can become a nasal /ŋ/ when followed by a nasal consonant, as in [aɪ hæv maɪn] → [æ hæ̃m mɔ̃ː][3]
So in summary, while both progressive and regressive assimilation occur in English, regressive assimilation is more common, especially across word boundaries in connected speech.
Citations:
[1] [PDF] Assimilation of Consonants in English and Assimilation of the Definite ... https://www.arjonline.org/papers/arjel/v1-i4/3.pdf
[2] 8. Assimilation, its types, directions, stages and degrees. Non-obligatory ... https://studfile.net/preview/7754803/page:3/
[3] Assimilation of Manner - SLT info https://www.sltinfo.com/csp101-assimilaton-of-manner/
[4] Chapter 11.8: Assimilation - ALIC – Analyzing Language in Context https://alic.sites.unlv.edu/chapter-11-8-assimilation/
[5] Assimilation - Martin Weisser http://martinweisser.org/courses/phonetics/connect/assimilation.html
-
-
Module: Phonetics
Level: L2
Semester: 2
Instructor: Prof.Faiza Fouzia MEBERBECHE SENOUCI
Course: Syllables
-
The definition of the syllable:
The syllable may be defined both phonetically and phonologically.
A)phonetically: i.e. the way syllables are produced (production) and the way they sound (perception).
The syllable is composed of a center which has little or no obstruction to the flow of air. This center may be preceded by one or more consonants usually referred to as ‘’onset’’, and it may also be followed by one or more consonants referred to as ‘’termination’’ or ‘’coda’’.
Types of Syllables:
1)-Minimum syllable: a single vowel in isolation.
Ex: are / ɑː / or / ɔː/ I / aɪ/
2)- Onset+ Center:
Ex: car / k ɑː / key / k iː / more / m ɔː /
o c o c
3)-center+ termination:
Ex: at / æ t / is / ɪz / eat / iː t / eight / eɪt /
c t
4)-onset+ center+ termination:
Exs: run / r ʌ n / , big / bɪg / cat / kæt /
o c t
B)-phonologically: phonology insists on the possible combinations of the English phonemes. In other words, how a syllable and another one combined together can make a meaningful word.
Ex: Ex + port = Export1 syll. 2 syll.
There are some words which begin with one vowel or 1, 2 or 3 consonants (consonant clusters) i.e. two or more consonants occurring one after the other → C.C or C.C.C
Exs:
V ______ able / ˈeɪbl /
C ______ feel / fiːl /
C C ______ fly / flɑɪ / spay / spɑɪ / sky / skɑɪ /
C C C ______ strike / strɑɪk /
Other words end with a vowel or with 1,2,3 or 4 consonants:
______ V ex: pity /ˈpɪtɪ/
______ C ex: take / ˈteɪk /
______ C C ex: takes /teɪks /
______ C C C ex: text / tekst/
______ C C C C ex : texts /teksts/
The Syllabic consonant:
A Syllabic consonant is a consonant which sends as the center of the syllable instead of the vowel. These consonants are /l, r, n, m, ŋ/:
pistol /ˈpɪstḷ/tunnel /ˈtʌnḷ/
cotton /ˈkɑ:tṇ;/
button /ˈbʌtṇ/.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-