5 Questions
What is the primary reason why English spelling is complex?
Influence of other languages on the English language
What is the term for the smallest unit of sound in a language?
Phoneme
Which of the following is a characteristic of the English language?
Phonological irregularity
What is the term for the relationship between sounds and letters in a language?
Orthography
What is the term for the study of the sound system of a language?
Phonology
Study Notes
English Language Characteristics
- The primary reason for the complexity of English spelling is due to the language's history of borrowing words from various languages, such as Latin, Greek, and French, which has resulted in a mismatch between sounds and letters.
Phonetics and Phonology
- The smallest unit of sound in a language is called a phoneme.
- A characteristic of the English language is its complex relationship between sounds and letters, making it challenging to spell and pronounce words.
- The term for the relationship between sounds and letters in a language is orthography.
- The study of the sound system of a language is called phonology.
Test your knowledge of English language basics, including spelling, pronunciation, and phonetics. Explore the complexities of the English language and its sound system.
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