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Linguistics IChapter 4

The Sounds of Language

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Phonetics:◦ The general study of the characteristics of speech sounds. It

is a branch of linguistics which is concerned with the production, physical nature, and perception of speech sounds.

◦ Articulatory phonetics Study of how speech sounds are made (articulated).

◦ Acoustic phonetics Deals with the physical properties of speech as sound waves.

◦ Auditory phonetics (perceptual phonetics) The study of the perception of speech sounds by the ear.

The Sounds of Language

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Phonetic alphabet

◦ A standardized set of symbols that represent sounds so that EACH sound

is represented by a single SYMBOLE. IPA is the standardized system.

Focus

◦ How these symbols are used to represent both consonants and vowel

sounds of English words and what physical aspects of human vocal tract

are involved in the production of those sounds.

Introduction

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IPA

◦ It stands for the International Phonetic Alphabet.

[ ]

◦ The symbols are enclosed in brackets [ ] to indicate that the

transcription is phonetic and does not represent the spelling

system of a particular language.

Introduction

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Voiced Sounds◦ Production process

Vocal cords are drawn together. Air from the lungs repeatedly pushes them as it passes through. Result: a vibration effect. Examples: (V, Z, D, M, … ).

Voiceless Sounds◦ Production process

Vocal cords are spread apart. Air from the lungs passes between them unobstructed. Result: no vibration Examples: (F, S, T, K, … ).

The Sounds of Language

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How Sounds are Produced?

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Place of Articulation

◦Each point at which the air stream can be modified to

produce a different sound is called Place of

Articulation.

◦Bilabial, Labiodental, Dental, Alveolar, Palatal, Velar,

Glottal.

The Sounds of Language

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The Sounds of Language

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Bilabials:◦The articulators are the two lips.◦ [b] [m] [p]

Place of Articulation

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Labiodentals◦The lower lip is the active articulator and the upper

teeth are the passive articulator. [f] and [v].

Place of Articulation

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Dentals:◦Dental sounds involve the upper teeth as the passive

articulator. The active articulator may be either the tongue tip or (usually) the tongue blade.

[θ] Theta and [ð] eth.

Place of Articulation

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Alveolars◦Alveolar sounds involve the alveolar ridge as the

passive articulator. The active articulator may be either the tongue blade or (usually) the tongue tip. [t], [d], [n], [s], [z], [l].

Place of Articulation

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Palatals The active articulator is the tongue body and the

passive articulator is the hard palate. Show; Treasure; Chin; Judge; and

Yet (j) (palatal glide)

Place of Articulation

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Velars The active articulator is the tongue body and the

passive articulator is the soft palate. ◦ [k], [g], and [-ing]. ◦The glide heard word-initially in WET is called a

Labiovelar.

Place of Articulation

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Glottal sounds are made in the larynx. For the glottal

stop, the vocal cords close momentarily and cut off

all airflow through the vocal tract.

◦English: [h]

Place of Articulation

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The Sounds of Language

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The Sounds of Language

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The Sounds of Language

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The Sounds of Language

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The Sounds of Language

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VOWELS: The chat Examples of each vowel.

The Sounds of Language

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Practice

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Practice

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Practice

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Practice

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Words, Word-formation Processes, and Morphology

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