5 Questions
What does English phonology refer to?
The system of speech sounds in spoken English
What is a common feature among most English dialects?
Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables
Which accents are often used as a reference point in phonological analysis of English?
Received Pronunciation, General American, General Australian
What distinguishes fortis and lenis consonants in English dialects?
A complex set of phonological features
How have many other dialects of English developed?
Independently from the standardized accents
Study Notes
English Phonology
- Refers to the study of the sound system of the English language, including the distribution and patterning of speech sounds in different dialects.
Common Features of English Dialects
- Most English dialects share a common feature: the presence of a r-dropping phenomenon, where the sound /r/ is often dropped at the end of words.
Reference Accents in Phonological Analysis
- Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American (GA) are often used as reference points in phonological analysis of English, serving as a standard against which other dialects are compared.
Fortis and Lenis Consonants
- In English dialects, fortis consonants are distinguished from lenis consonants by their voice onset time (VOT) and aspiration, with fortis consonants having a longer VOT and aspiration than lenis consonants.
Development of English Dialects
- Many other dialects of English have developed through a process of language contact, dialect leveling, and language change, resulting in diverse pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical features across different regions and communities.
Test your knowledge of English phonology with this quiz! Learn about the different speech sounds and variations in pronunciation found in the English language. From vowel reduction to regional dialects, put your skills to the test and see how well you understand the phonological system of English.
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