7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

1/25

FEATURES OF THE

ENGLISH

SPEECH

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

2/25

5. WORDCONNECTION

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

3/25

Overview of todays lecture

Connected speech defined

Is connected speech casual?

Key features of connectedspeech

Student learning challenges

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

4/25

Introduction

In spoken discourse, English words typicallyrun together.

They arent pronounced in an isolated fashion

within the stream of speech.

I think that a clear is awfully necessary, dont you?

enunciation

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

5/25

The law of economy

According to Clarey & Dixson (1963), thisresults from a simple law of economy,

whereby the organs of speech, instead oftaking a new position for each sound, tend todraw sounds together with the purpose ofsaving time and energy.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

6/25

Is connected speech casual?

Some researchers classify connected speechas something that occurs in fast, informal,

relaxed or casual speech.

Authentic Spoken English! Others characterize connected speech as

naturally occurring talk or real spoken

English.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

7/25

Possible conclusions

Connected speech is found in all registers andall rates of speech; it is characteristic ofspoken English.

Register and rate may contribute to some rulesof appropriateness or production.

However, in general, reduced forms affect all

areas and all types of spoken English.Rogerson (2006)

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

8/25

Linking / Liaison

Gotcha!

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

9/25

Overview

It is the sound that matters, not thespelling.

They tell me the dime easier to understand.

They tell me that Im easier to understand.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

10/25

Linking / Liaison

Keep Out! Keep Out! K-E-E-P O-U-T.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

11/25

Overview

AmE liaisons:

Vowel & Vowel

Consonant & Vowel

Consonant & Consonant

T, D, S, Z & the Y sound

BrE Liaison:

Vowel to Vowel

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

12/25

Liaison: Vowel & Vowel

/y/ glide and /w/ glide

Spelling Pronunciation

be able be(y)able

I am I(y)am

do it do(w)itgo away go(w)away

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

13/25

Liaison: Consonant & Vowel

a cup of tea a cupevtea

Spelling Pronunciation

a cup_of tea a cupevtea

switch_off switchoff

fried_egg friedegg

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

14/25

Liaison: Consonant & Vowel

By Russian standards, Tashtagol is a tiny

little townjust twenty-thousand people,

a few streets and a handful of roads. Soyou may be surprised to learn that traffic

problems here have been causing chaos

not because of cars but because of cows.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

15/25

Liaison: Consonant &Consonant

GEMINATION

Spelling Pronunciation

stop pushing stoppushing

bad dog baddog

handsome man handsomeman

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

16/25

Liaison: Consonant &Consonant

AFFRICATIVE (STOP) + AFFRICATIVE

The first consonant is unreleased.

Spelling Pronunciation

pep talk pe(p)talk

pet cat pe(t)cat

black bag bla(ck)bag

bad check ba(d)check

fat judge fa(t)judge

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

17/25

Liaison: Consonant &Consonant Im a bit tired.

We have a lot to do.

Tell me what to say.

Sit down.

Ive finished it.

I finished it.

Shes slept for three hours.

She slept for three hours.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

18/25

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

COAELESCENT ASSIMILATION

Sound A + Sound B = Sound C

T + Y = CHD + Y = J

S + Y = SH

Z + Y = ZH

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

19/25

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

T + Y = CHstature

actuallyIs that your dog?

Don't you like it?

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

20/25

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

D + Y = Jgraduation

procedureWould you mind moving?

Did you like it?

What did you do?

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

21/25

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

S + Y = SH

insurance

issuesugar

Hes coming this year.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

22/25

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

Z + Y = ZH

casual

pleasureusual

Does your mother know?

How's your family?

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

23/25

Linking with /r/ (BrE)

Intrusive /r/

Africa(r) and Asia

banana(r) and almondsvodka(r) and tonics

I saw(r) a film today.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

24/25

Student learning challenges

Classroom teachers often

overarticulate to facilitate learner

comprehension.Listening materials are full of clearly

pronounced and articulated speech.

Language learners often developtheir listening and speaking skillsbased on these false premises.

7/31/2019 Features of English Speech

25/25

Student learning challenges

When they encounter authentic NS discourse,learners are often shocked to find that NSs dont

speak in the ways that they expect.

The language outside of the classroom seemsunfamiliar and fast. Students are unable todecipher word boundaries or recognize words orphrases.

Students who do not receive instruction orexposure to authentic discourse are going to havea very rude awakening when they try tounderstand native speech in natural

communicative situations