phonology overview pronunciation

8/10/2019 PHONOLOGY Overview Pronunciation

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PHONOLOGY: CONSONANTS

All consonantsmay be classified as either voicedor voiceless. In articulating a voiced

consonant, the vocal cords are vibrating. (The vibration may easily be felt by gripping

the larynx--the "Adam's apple"--between the fingers and the thumb while articulating the

consonant. In articulating an unvoiced consonant, the vocal cords are not vibrating.

!resent-ay #nglish has several consonant pairs that are articulated ali$e except that oneis voiced and the other is unvoiced. %ome examples are the phoneme spelled bin bat

(voiced and the phoneme spelled pin pat(unvoiced& the phoneme spelled din dab

(voiced and the phoneme spelled tin tab(unvoiced& the phoneme spelled thin this(voiced and the phoneme spelled thin thistle(unvoiced.

onsonants may also be classified according to the manner o articulationand the !oint

o articulation that is) how and where the flow of air is stopped or impeded when the

consonant is articulated. Thus) we get the following systems of classification. lic$ onthe terms for further information.

"ANN#$ O%

A$T&C'LAT&ON

Sto!

Aricate

%ricative

Nasal

Lateral

$etrole(

Semivo)el
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htm


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Sto!sare consonants formed by com!letel* sto!!ing the lo) o air some)here inthe vocal a!!aratus, and then releasing the air. %ince the sudden release of the pent-up

air creates a small explosive sound) stops are also called !losives. %tops may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the stop or voiceless(vocal cords not

vibrating during the articulation of the stop. *ere is a list of the sto!sin !resent-ay

#nglish.

+.+!+(the phoneme spelled pin pat voicelessbilabialstop.,. +b+(the phoneme spelled bin bat voicedbilabialstop.

.+t+(the phoneme spelled tin tot voiceless alveolarstop.

. +d+ (the phoneme spelled din dot) voiced alveolarstop./.++(the phoneme spelled cin cap voiceless velar stop.

0. +g+ (the phoneme spelled gin gap voiced velarstop.

Aricatesare consonants that are formed by sto!!ing the lo) o air some)herein the vocal a!!aratus, and then releasing the air relativel* slo)l* so that a riction-

sound is !roduced. !resent-ay #nglish has only two affricates) one of which is voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the affricate and one of which isvoiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the affricate.

+. +c.+(the phoneme spelled chin chip voiceless alveopalatalaffricate.

,. +/.+(the phoneme spelled gin gyp voiced alveopalatalaffricate.

%ricativesare consonants that are formed by im!eding the lo) o airsome)here in the vocal a!!aratus so that a riction-sound is !roduced . 1ecause of

the way the flow of breath is heard in producing fricatives) fricatives are also called

s!irants. 2ricatives may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of thefricative or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the fricative.*ere is a list of the fricatives in !resent-ay #nglish.

+. ++(the phoneme spelled fin fine voiceless labiodentalfricative.

,. +v+(the phoneme spelled vin vine voiced labiodentalfricative.

. ++(the phoneme spelled thin thistle voiceless interdentalfricative.

. +0+(the phoneme spelled thin this voicedinterdentalfricative.

/. +s+(the phoneme spelled sin sue voiceless alveolarfricative.

0. +1+(the phoneme spelled zinzoo voicedalveolarfricative.

3. +s.+(the phoneme spelled shin shore voiceless alveopalatalfricative.

4. +1.+(the phoneme spelled zin azure voiced alveopalatalfricative.5. +h+(the phoneme spelled hin hot voiceless fricative) produced at various points

depending upon the vowels in the vicinity. 2or example) in hot) 6h6 is velar) whereas inheat) 6h6 is alveopalatal.

Nasalsare consonants that are formed by blocing the oral !assage and allo)ingthe air to esca!e through the nose2!resent-ay #nglish has three nasals) all of whichare voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the nasal. (The nasals) the
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htm


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lateral 6l6) theretroflex 6r6) and thesemivowels 6w6 and 676are sometimes called the

resonants.

+. +m+(the phoneme spelled min mail (voicedbilabialnasal.

,. +n+(the phoneme spelled nin nail (voiced alveolarnasal.

. ++(the phoneme spelled ngin sing (voicedvelarnasal.

Lateralsare consonants formed by allo)ing the air to esca!e around the sideso the tongue2!resent-ay #nglish has only one lateral) which is voiced(vocal cords

vibrating during the articulation of the lateral. (The lateral) the nasals) the retroflex 6r6)and the semivowels 6w6 and 676 are sometimes called the resonants.

+. +l+(the phoneme spelled lin let (voicedalveolarlateral.

A retrole(is a consonant formed when the tongue rises to)ard the roo o themouth and then retracts to)ard the bac o the oral cavit*2!resent-ay #nglish has

one retroflex) which is voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the

retroflex. (The retroflex) the lateral 6l6) thenasals) and the semivowels 6w6 and 676are

sometimes called the resonants.

+. +r+(the phoneme spelled rin root (voiced alveolarretroflex.

Semivo)elsare vowel-li$e consonants that is) the air-lo) is not sto!!ed orim!eded so as to cause a riction-sound, but the a!erture through )hich the air

!asses is smaller than the a!erture o an* vo)el2Also) in forming words) semivowelsappear in positions where consonants normally appear. !resent-ay #nglish has two

semivowels) both of which are voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the

nasal. (The semivowels) thelateral 6l6) the retroflex 6r6) and the nasalsare sometimescalled the resonants.

+. +)+(the phoneme spelled win wet (voicedbilabial velar semivowel. (This phoneme

is bilabial because it re8uires rounding of both lips& it is velar because the bac$ of the

tongue rises toward the velum when the phoneme is articulated.,. +/+(the phoneme spelled yin yard (voiced alveopalatalsemivowel.

PO&NT O%

A$T&C'LAT&ON
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htm


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3ilabial

Labiodental

&nterdental

Alveolar

Alveo!alatal4elar

3ilabialsare consonants for which the lo) o air is sto!!ed or restricted b* thet)o li!s. 1ilabials may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of theconsonant or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the

consonant. *ere is a list of the bilabialsin !resent-ay #nglish.

+. +!+(the phoneme spelled pin pat voiceless bilabial stop.

,. +b+(the phoneme spelled bin bat voiced bilabial stop.. +m+(the phoneme spelled min mail (voiced bilabial nasal.

. +)+(the phoneme spelled win wet (voiced bilabial semivowel.

Labiodentalsare consonants for which the lo) o air is restricted b* the li!sand teeth. 9abiodentals may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of

the consonant or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the

consonant. There are two labiodentalsin !resent-ay #nglish.

+. ++(the phoneme spelled fin fine voiceless labiodentalfricative.,. +v+(the phoneme spelled vin vine voiced labiodentalfricative.

&nterdentalsare consonants for which the lo) o air is restricted b* catchingthe tongue bet)een the teeth. Interdentals may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during

the articulation of the consonant or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during thearticulation of the consonant. There are two interdentalsin !resent-ay #nglish.

+. ++(the phoneme spelled thin thistle voiceless interdentalfricative.

,. +0+(the phoneme spelled thin this voiced interdental fricative.

Alveolarsare consonants for which the lo) o air is sto!!ed or im!eded b*creating a bloc or a small a!erture bet)een the tongue and the alveolar ridge.Alveolars may be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the consonant

or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the consonant. *ere is alist of the alveolarsin !resent-ay #nglish.

+. +t+(the phoneme spelled tin tot voiceless alveolarstop.

,. +d+(the phoneme spelled din dot voiced alveolarstop.

. +s+(the phoneme spelled sin sue voiceless alveolar fricative.
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/bilabial.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/labdent.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/inter.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveolar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/alveopal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/velar.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htm


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. +1+(the phoneme spelled zinzoo voiced alveolar fricative.

/. +n+(the phoneme spelled nin nail (voiced alveolar nasal.

0. +l+(the phoneme spelled lin let (voiced alveolar lateral.

3. +r+(the phoneme spelled rin root (voiced alveolar retroflex.

Alveo!alatalsare consonants for whichthe lo) o air is sto!!ed or im!eded

b* creating a bloc or a small a!erture bet)een the tongue and the region o thehard !alate /ust behind the alveolar ridge. Alveopalatals may be voiced(vocal cordsvibrating during the articulation of the consonant or voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating

during the articulation of the consonant. *ere is a list of the alveo!alatalsin !resent-

ay #nglish.

+. +c.+(the phoneme spelled chin chip voiceless alveopalatal affricate.,. +/.+(the phoneme spelled gin gyp voiced alveopalatal affricate.

. +s.+(the phoneme spelled shin shore voiceless alveopalatal fricative.

. +1.+(the phoneme spelled zin azure voiced alveopalatal fricative.

/. +/+(the phoneme spelled yin yard (voiced alveopalatal semivowel.

4elarsare consonants for which the lo) o air is sto!!ed or im!eded b* creatinga bloc or a small a!erture bet)een the tongue and the velum 56sot !alate67. :elarsmay be voiced(vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the consonant or

voiceless(vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the consonant. *ere is a

list of the velarsin !resent-ay #nglish.

+. ++(the phoneme spelled cin cap voiceless velar stop.,. +g+(the phoneme spelled gin gap voiced velar stop.

. +h+(the phoneme spelled hin hot voiceless velar fricative(in vicinity of bac$ vowel.

. ++(the phoneme spelled ngin sing (voiced velarnasal.

/. +)+(the phoneme spelled win wet (voiced velar (and bilabialsemivowel.
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/lateral.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/retro.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/affric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/stop.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/fric.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/nasal.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/semi.htm


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PHONOLOGY: 4O8#LS

4o)els may be classified as either rounded or unrounded) as either la( or tense) and aseither long or short.

In articulating a rounded vo)el)the li!s are rounded. The roundedvowels of !resent-

ay #nglish are

+. +u+(the phoneme spelled ooinfood&

,. +'+(the phoneme spelled uin put&.+o+ (the phoneme spelled oain boat&

. +9+(the phoneme spelled auin caught.

;ote that there are different degrees of rounding in these different vowels. The other

vowels of !resent-ay #nglish are unrounded.

In articulating a tensevowel) the tongue and other parts of the vocal apparatus are

relatively tense.


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there are no "minimal pairs" of words that differ only with respect to the length of a

vowel) and so spea$ers of !# typically do not "hear" differences in vowel length. The

distinction bet)een long and short vo)els )as !resumabl* !honemic in Old #nglishand "iddle #nglish. :owel length is presumably a matter of duration that is) how longthe vowel-sound is sustained in its articulation.

Apart from the above distinctions) vo)elsmay be classified according to the ho) ar thetongue is rom the roo o the mouth during articulation) and ho) ar bac in theoral cavit* the vo)el is articulated.

If the lower 7aw is relatively low (that is) if the mouth is relatively widely open) the

tongue will be relatively far from the roof of the mouth. :owels for which the 7aw is

relatively low during articulation are called) unsurprisingly) lo) vo)els& and vowels forwhich the 7aw is relatively high (the mouth is more nearly closed are called high vo)els.

This distinction can be appreciated) for example) by gripping the chin and successively

articulating "ha-ha) hee-hee) ha-ha) hee-hee." The phoneme spelled ain hais a low

vowel) and the phoneme spelled eein heeis a high vowel. The 7aw can be felt to move up

and down correspondingly.

A vibration is felt in the oral cavity when a vowel is articulated. If this vibration is felt

toward the front of the cavity) say in the area of the alveolar ridge) the vowel is describedas a front vowel. If the vibration is felt toward the bac$ of the cavity) say in the area of

the velum) the vowel is described as a bac$ vowel. This distinction can be appreciated by

successively articulating "ho-ho) hee-hee) ho-ho) hee-hee)" and paying attention to where

the vibration is felt most strongly in the oral cavity. The phoneme spelled oin hois abac$ vowel) and the phoneme spelled eein heeis a front vowel.

Thus) we get the following system of classification for vowels. lic$ on the terms for

further information.

POS&T&ON O%

A8

High

"id

Lo)

The high vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulated)ith the /a) relativel* high--that is) with the mouth nearly closed.

+. +i+(the phoneme spelled eein beet high frontvowel.,. +&+(the phoneme spelled iin bit high frontvowel. This vowel is articulated slightly

lower and slightly further bac$ than is the preceding vowel 6i6.

. +u+(the phoneme spelled ooinfood highbac$vowel.. +'+(the phoneme spelled uin put highbac$vowel. This vowel is articulated slighter

lower and slightly further forward than is the preceding vowel 6u6.
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htm


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The mid vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulated )iththe /a) a!!ro(imatel* in the middle o its range o vertical motion--that is) with the

mouth about half open.

+. +e+(the phoneme spelled aiin bait mid front vowel.

,. ++(the phoneme spelled ein bet mid frontvowel. This vowel is articulated slightlylower and slightly further bac$ than is the preceding vowel 6e6.

. +o+(the phoneme spelled oain boat midbac$vowel.

. +9+(the phoneme spelled auin caught midbac$vowel. This vowel is articulatedslighter lower and slightly further forward than is the preceding vowel 6o6.

/. ++(the phoneme spelled uin but mid central vowel.

The lo) vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulated )iththe /a) relativel* lo) --that is) with the mouth fully or almost fully open.

+. +;+(the phoneme spelled ain bat low front vowel.,. +a+(the phoneme spelled ain father lowcentralvowel.

PO&NT O%

A$T&C'LAT&ON

%ront

Central

3ac

The ront vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulatednear the ront o the oral cavit*.

+. +i+(the phoneme spelled eein beet high front vowel.

,. +&+(the phoneme spelled iin bit highfront vowel. This vowel is articulated slightly

further bac$ and slightly lower than the preceding vowel 6i6.. +e+(the phoneme spelled aiin bait midfront vowel.

. ++(the phoneme spelled ein bet mid front vowel. This vowel is articulated slightly

further bac$ and slightly lower than the preceding vowel 6e6.

/. +;+(the phoneme spelled ain bat lowfront vowel.

The central vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulatednear the center o the vocal cavit*.

+. ++(the phoneme spelled uin but midcentral vowel.

,. +a+(the phoneme spelled ain fatherlowcentral vowel.
http://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/front.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/central.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/back.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/high.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/mid.htmhttp://facweb.furman.edu/~wrogers/phonemes/phono/low.htm


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The bac vo)elsof !resent-ay #nglish are the vowels that are articulatednear the rear o the vocal cavit*.

+. +u+(the phoneme spelled ooinfood highbac$ vowel.,. +'+(the phoneme spelled uin puthighbac$ vowel. This vowel is articulated slightly

further forward and slightly lower than is the preceding vowel 6u6.. +o+(the phoneme spelled oain boat midbac$ vowel.

. +9+(the phoneme spelled auin caughtmidbac$ vowel. This vowel is articulatedslighter further forward and slightly lower than is the preceding vowel 6o6.


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The Phonetic Consonant Chart

The English language has roughly 44 sounds, our alphabet has only 26 letters. How can we represent all of thesounds that humans use to speak? e can use phonetic symbols, standardi!ed by the "nternational #honetic

$ssociation %"#$&. ritten phonetically, the word 'shingle' looks like( )s*i+g-.

/ounds are classified by three characteristics( place of articulation, manner of articulation, and airstreammechanism.

Places of Articulation

To produce a noise, two areas of the 0ocal tract %such as the tongue and the roof of the mouth& meet briefly toblock the flow of air out of the lungs. 1eel the different positions of your tongue as you say 'puh,' 'tuh,' and 'kuh.' nthe table abo0e, places of articulation make up the columns. 1rom left to right, these are( bilabial %as in 3puh3&,labiodental, dental, al0eolar %as in 3tuh3&, al0eopalatal, palatal, 0elar %as in 3kuh3&, and glottal. These namesdescribe locations in the 0ocal tract. $s you can see in the diagram below, the tongue is 5uite fleible7

Manners of Articulation

#ronounce 'hit' and 'hiss.' The )t at the end of 'hit' is a stop%/&8 the airflow from the lungs through the mouth iscompletely stopped when the tongue touches the roof of the mouth. n the other hand, the )s in 'hiss' is anfricative%1ric.&. The tongue and the roof of the mouth are not touching, but are close enough that the airflow


11/11

becomes turbulant and produces a sound. +ote that you can say 'hisssssss' until you run out of air, but that youcannot hold on to a stop. Affricates%$& begin as stops but finish as fricati0es. $n eample is the 'ch' sound in'church'8 it begins with a )t and ends in 'sh' ) s*.

1inally, sounds are either voiced%9d.& or voiceless%9ls.&, depending on the state of the 0ocal chords duringproduction. "f the 0ocal chords are 0ibrating, the sound is 0oiced8 if they are loosely held open, the sound will be0oiceless. Try saying 'puh, buh'8 'tuh, duh'8 and8 'kuh, guh.' The first of each pair begins with a 0oiceless consonant8the latter words begin with 0oiced consonants. $ll English 0owels are 0oiced.

Airstream Mechanisms

$ll sounds in the Enlish language are pulmonic egressi0e. That is, they are created by pushing air outwith thelungs. /ome languages also use other airstream mechanisms, such as 0elaric ingressi0e %sucking air inwith bycreating a 0acuum with the tongue and the velum&. /ome southern $frican languages ha0e clicks, which are 0elaricingressi0e. Try one by saying 3tsk, tsk.3

The chart abo0e is not a complete list "#$ consonant symbols, nor is it limited to English sounds. "'0e includedsome sounds on the chart that, although they are not used in English, are easy for an English speaker topronounce. 1or eample, " ha0e not included retrofle or u0ular categories in the chart abo0e because these typesof noises are not used in English. 1or more information about phonetics and the phonetic chart, please 0isit(

phonology overview pronunciation

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