Lecture 3 The Vowels of English The Timing Tier. Cardinals and Natural Languages Daniel Jones developed an inventory of cardinal vowels. Daniel Jones

Lecture 3Lecture 3

The Vowels of EnglishThe Vowels of English

The Timing TierThe Timing Tier

Cardinals and Natural Cardinals and Natural LanguagesLanguages

Daniel Jones developed an inventory of cardinal Daniel Jones developed an inventory of cardinal vowels.vowels.

They constitute a set of reference points to aid They constitute a set of reference points to aid with the description of vowels in natural languages.with the description of vowels in natural languages.

These vowels can be produced by:These vowels can be produced by:- following a set of simple articulatory instructions.following a set of simple articulatory instructions.- targeting certain articulatorily established vowels.targeting certain articulatorily established vowels.

The idealized nature of the cardinal vowels denies The idealized nature of the cardinal vowels denies absolute mapping onto vowels of natural absolute mapping onto vowels of natural languages.languages.

However, vowels in natural languages are However, vowels in natural languages are identified with neighbouring cardinal vowels.identified with neighbouring cardinal vowels.

Variation in EnglishVariation in English

The vowels in English are subject to The vowels in English are subject to remarkable variation world-wide.remarkable variation world-wide.

There is NO single English vowel system or There is NO single English vowel system or inventory, but, rather, very many.inventory, but, rather, very many.

Some accents of English are more Some accents of English are more standard than others.standard than others.

Two of these stand out as being widely Two of these stand out as being widely recognizable: recognizable: GeneralGeneral (North) (North) AmericanAmerican GA and British GA and British ReceivedReceived PronunciationPronunciation RP.RP.

PresentationPresentation

Vowels in English are best presented Vowels in English are best presented with reference to the set of cardinal with reference to the set of cardinal vowels:vowels:

- For each IPA vowel, a number of For each IPA vowel, a number of English specimens may be listed.English specimens may be listed.

- Then, they can be ranked from Then, they can be ranked from closest to most distant.closest to most distant.

Corner Primary VowelsCorner Primary Vowels

1 1 8 8

4 4 5 5

Cardinal Vowel 1 Cardinal Vowel 1 GAGA - - RPRP -- Both [Both [ii]]

1 1

2 2

heat, seedheat, seed

Cardinal Vowel 4 Cardinal Vowel 4 GAGA - - RPRP -- Both [Both []]

3 3

hat, badhat, bad 4 4


fatherfather 4 4 5 5


88

77

hoothoot

Corner Primary VowelsCorner Primary Vowels GA - RPGA - RP

1 1 8 8

4 4 5 5

Intermediate Primary Intermediate Primary VowelsVowels

2 2 7 7

3 3 6 6

Cardinal Vowel 2 Cardinal Vowel 2 GAGA - - RPRP -- Both (diphthongized)Both (diphthongized)

2 2

latelate


2 2 3 3

let, redlet, red

Cardinal Vowel 7 Cardinal Vowel 7 GAGA - - RPRP -- Both (diphthongized)Both (diphthongized)

77

coat, lowcoat, low

Cardinal Vowel 6 Cardinal Vowel 6 GA [GA []] - - RP [RP [ ]]

66caughtcaught

Intermediate Primary Intermediate Primary VowelsVowels

2 2 7 7 3 3 6 6

More Lax VowelsMore Lax VowelsRP [RP [] ] ((GA [GA []]))

rockrock 13 13

More Lax VowelsMore Lax VowelsGAGA - - RPRP -- Both Both

1 1

2 2

hit, lickhit, lick

More Lax VowelsMore Lax VowelsGAGA - - RPRP -- Both Both

88

77

put, lookput, look

More Lax VowelsMore Lax VowelsGA [GA []] ((RP [RP []]))

14 14

hut, uphut, up

Central VowelsCentral VowelsRP [RP [] ] ((GA [GA []]))

hut, uphut, up

Central Vowels Central Vowels GA [GA [] ] -- RP RP -- Both [Both []]

// 14 14 66

aago, errgo, erroorr

Central Vowels Central Vowels GA [GA [] ] -- RP [ RP []]

//

bird, lurkbird, lurk

Pure VowelsPure VowelsGAGA & & RPRP

//

//

DiphthongsDiphthongs

In a diphthong, the vowel quality changes In a diphthong, the vowel quality changes half-way through articulation.half-way through articulation.

It is a vowel of non-steady realization.It is a vowel of non-steady realization. Its first phase corresponds, more or less, Its first phase corresponds, more or less,

to one pure vowel, but the second to to one pure vowel, but the second to another.another.

As far as the relation between the two As far as the relation between the two phases is concerned, we can say that phases is concerned, we can say that there are two types of diphthongs:there are two types of diphthongs:- Homogeneous DiphthongsHomogeneous Diphthongs- Heterogeneous DiphthongsHeterogeneous Diphthongs

Homogeneous DiphthongsHomogeneous Diphthongs

The diphthongs The diphthongs and and are are considered homogeneous:considered homogeneous:- Their phases are close in articulatory Their phases are close in articulatory

position.position.- They share the same lip gesture.They share the same lip gesture.

Diphthong Diphthong GAGA & & RPRP

latelate


77

coat, lowcoat, low

Heterogeneous DiphthongsHeterogeneous Diphthongs

The diphthongs The diphthongs , , and and are are considered heterogeneous as:considered heterogeneous as:- Their phases involve considerable Their phases involve considerable

articulatory movement.articulatory movement.- They don’t usually agree on rounding.They don’t usually agree on rounding.


mymy


cowcow


boyboy

Centring DiphthongsCentring Diphthongs

In this type of diphthongs, the In this type of diphthongs, the movement is towards the centre of movement is towards the centre of the vowel space:the vowel space: pierpier poorpoor daredare doordoor

Centring Centring DiphthongsDiphthongsRPRP

TriphthongsTriphthongs

Like the set of centring diphthongs, Like the set of centring diphthongs, triphthongs are attested in non-rhotic triphthongs are attested in non-rhotic accents, where a final /r/ is not accents, where a final /r/ is not phonetically realized:phonetically realized:- [[]] firefire- [[]] hourhour- [[]] layerlayer- [[]] lowerlower- [[]] coyercoyer

Vowels in EnglishVowels in English

Vowels can be described by indicating the degree of divergence Vowels can be described by indicating the degree of divergence from cardinals.from cardinals.

In English, there are twelve steady state ‘pure’ vowels and five In English, there are twelve steady state ‘pure’ vowels and five diphthongs.diphthongs.

However, the language does not exhibit the full range of contrasts However, the language does not exhibit the full range of contrasts implied in the set of cardinal vowels.implied in the set of cardinal vowels.

Some vowel pairs are distinguished in terms of relative tenseness Some vowel pairs are distinguished in terms of relative tenseness and laxness, the phonetic manifestations of the values + and – for and laxness, the phonetic manifestations of the values + and – for the phonological feature ATR.the phonological feature ATR.

Of the five diphthongs in which the tongue glides up, two are Of the five diphthongs in which the tongue glides up, two are homogeneous.homogeneous.

In addition, there are three heterogeneous diphthongs.In addition, there are three heterogeneous diphthongs. This maximal list of seventeen is augmented by a set of four This maximal list of seventeen is augmented by a set of four

centring diphthongs.centring diphthongs. Add to that the set of five triphthongs attested in non-rhotic Add to that the set of five triphthongs attested in non-rhotic

accents.accents.

Short - Long - ComplexShort - Long - Complex

Vowels can be long or short.Vowels can be long or short. How should this contrast be formalized?How should this contrast be formalized? This calls for introducing an additional, and most This calls for introducing an additional, and most

important, tier into our autosegmental model.important, tier into our autosegmental model. This tier is made up of abstract timing units.This tier is made up of abstract timing units. These, in turn, associate with bundles of features.These, in turn, associate with bundles of features. A short segment will be associated with one timing unit, A short segment will be associated with one timing unit,

and a long one with two.and a long one with two. Conversely, a single timing unit can be doubly Conversely, a single timing unit can be doubly

associated with two values of a feature, as in the case associated with two values of a feature, as in the case of affricates.of affricates.

This ‘timing tier’ constitutes the baseline which This ‘timing tier’ constitutes the baseline which supports the remainder of the autosegmental structure.supports the remainder of the autosegmental structure.

Affricates – A puzzleAffricates – A puzzle

An affricate is articulated as a stop with a An affricate is articulated as a stop with a partial release equivalent to a fricative.partial release equivalent to a fricative.

So, do affricates constitute one or two So, do affricates constitute one or two segments: [segments: [] or [] or []+[]+[]?]?

The phonological evidence is equivocal:The phonological evidence is equivocal:- Some facts suggest that affricates are Some facts suggest that affricates are

monosegmental.monosegmental.- Others suggest that they are bisegmental.Others suggest that they are bisegmental.

MonosegmentalityMonosegmentality

English words may not start with two English words may not start with two obstruents (cf. /s/ + obstruent):obstruents (cf. /s/ + obstruent):

(p)sychology(p)sychology(t)sar(t)sar

This simplification may be generalized to This simplification may be generalized to include word-initial include word-initial and and

However, this is not the case.However, this is not the case. The fact that word-initial The fact that word-initial and and are are

not problematic provides obvious support not problematic provides obvious support for the monosegmental analysis.for the monosegmental analysis.

BisegmentalityBisegmentality

sCsC-clusters are allowed in English:-clusters are allowed in English:ststararstrstreeteet

However, s + affricate clusters are not:However, s + affricate clusters are not:** **

Also, English words can begin with a single obstruent Also, English words can begin with a single obstruent followed by a liquid, with some restriction:followed by a liquid, with some restriction:

pride, plate, fry, fly, …pride, plate, fry, fly, … However, affricate + liquid clusters are never However, affricate + liquid clusters are never

allowed in English.allowed in English. These two gaps in the distribution of segments These two gaps in the distribution of segments

would obviously follow from an analysis of would obviously follow from an analysis of bisegmentality.bisegmentality.


The autosegmental formalism allows for The autosegmental formalism allows for the separation of the various elements the separation of the various elements that make up any sound we perceive as a that make up any sound we perceive as a unit.unit.

The timing tier will extend the The timing tier will extend the autosegmental approach to the formal autosegmental approach to the formal expression of segmental length.expression of segmental length.

Segmental length is a matter of timing:Segmental length is a matter of timing:

[[] takes twice to time to ‘say’ as [] takes twice to time to ‘say’ as [].].


By creating a special autosegmental unit of timing By creating a special autosegmental unit of timing “X”, the difference between [“X”, the difference between [] and [] and [] can be ] can be represented as follows:represented as follows:

11 xx xx 22 xx \/\/ ||

The “intended” timing of the segment in (1) should The “intended” timing of the segment in (1) should be twice as long as that of the segment in (2).be twice as long as that of the segment in (2).

These Xs that constitute the timing tier are units of These Xs that constitute the timing tier are units of phonological (abstract) timing and are not intended phonological (abstract) timing and are not intended to correspond to actual phonetic measurements.to correspond to actual phonetic measurements.

Quantity and QualityQuantity and Quality

Consider the following contrasts in GA or RP:Consider the following contrasts in GA or RP:11 xx xx vs.vs. 22 xx timing tiertiming tier

melody tiermelody tier seatseat sit sit

In each, two component parts are represented:In each, two component parts are represented:

- Quantity (Quantity (timingtiming):): two Xs = longetwo Xs = longeone X = shortone X = short

- Quality (Quality (melodymelody):): = tense = tense = lax= lax

AffricatesAffricates

The introduction of the timing tier sanctions The introduction of the timing tier sanctions the association of a single timing element the association of a single timing element to an internal composition of two melodies.to an internal composition of two melodies.

This is the configuration necessary to This is the configuration necessary to formalize affricates:formalize affricates:

XX XX

AffricatesAffricates

Therefore, affricates are simultaneously:Therefore, affricates are simultaneously:

-- monosegmentsl monosegmentsl with a single X,with a single X,

-- bisegmentalbisegmental with dual sequential with dual sequential articulationarticulation

Each of the two melodies of this Each of the two melodies of this sequence will obey its own “phonotactic sequence will obey its own “phonotactic constraints”.constraints”.

AlternationAlternation

Consider the following:Consider the following:

divdiviinene divdiviinitynity

~~ [[]]sersereenene sersereenitynity

[[]] ~~ [[]]ssaanene ssaanitynity

[[]] ~~ [[]] Alternation in quantity and qualityAlternation in quantity and quality

Alternation in LengthAlternation in Length

In the fifteenth century, the alternation In the fifteenth century, the alternation between those pairs exclusively involved between those pairs exclusively involved vowel length:vowel length:

divdiv[[]]nene divdiv[[]]nitynityserser[[]]nene serser[[]]nitynityss[[]]nene ss[[]]nitynity

This alternation can be formalized as followsThis alternation can be formalized as followsXX XX X X

[-cons][-cons] [-cons][-cons]

The Lexical EntryThe Lexical Entry

The non-basic configuration will be The non-basic configuration will be derived from the basic (lexical) one:derived from the basic (lexical) one:

XX X XX X OROR X XX X XX

|| \/\/ \/\/ ||

[-cons] [-cons][-cons] [-cons] [-cons] [-cons] [- [-cons]cons]

shortshort > long > long OROR long long > > shortshort

ShortingShorting

The lengthening option yields The lengthening option yields unattested alternations:unattested alternations:

tr[i]mtr[i]m >> *tr[i:]m*tr[i:]mp[i]np[i]n >> *p[i:]n*p[i:]nac[i]dac[i]d >> *ac[i:]d*ac[i:]d The shorting option, restricted to The shorting option, restricted to

non-final syllables, derives the short non-final syllables, derives the short alternant from the lexical /i:/. alternant from the lexical /i:/.

Complex AssociationComplex Association

The timing tier offers a richer array of relations between quantity and The timing tier offers a richer array of relations between quantity and quality:quality:

- a melodic element can be associated with one or two timing slots.a melodic element can be associated with one or two timing slots.- a timing slot can be associated with one or more melodic elements.a timing slot can be associated with one or more melodic elements.

11 One timing slot:One timing slot:a. one melodya. one melody b. two melodiesb. two melodiesXX XX|| /\/\

22 Two timing slots:Two timing slots:a. one melodya. one melody b. two melodiesb. two melodiesXXXX XX XX\/\/ || ||

Summing upSumming up

The autosegmental model of phonology is The autosegmental model of phonology is extended to the representation of length.extended to the representation of length.

Length, which is not a defining feature of Length, which is not a defining feature of vowels, is represented on the timing tier.vowels, is represented on the timing tier.

This timing tier is separate from the This timing tier is separate from the substance of the sound (the melody tier).substance of the sound (the melody tier).

This autosegmental formalism allows for This autosegmental formalism allows for distinct demonstrations of processes distinct demonstrations of processes affecting different tiers.affecting different tiers.

Next WeekNext WeekChapters 9 and 10Chapters 9 and 10

Assignment:Assignment:

Key QuestionsKey Questions

(pages 258-259 and 291)(pages 258-259 and 291)

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Lecture 3 The Vowels of English The Timing Tier. Cardinals and Natural Languages Daniel Jones developed an inventory of cardinal vowels. Daniel Jones