Podcast
Questions and Answers
In the last unit, we learned that articulatory phonetics is all about how speech sounds are produced, and how linguists use the International Phonetic Alphabet to record all of the different speech sounds of the world’s languages.Here, we begin a new unit on ________.
In the last unit, we learned that articulatory phonetics is all about how speech sounds are produced, and how linguists use the International Phonetic Alphabet to record all of the different speech sounds of the world’s languages.Here, we begin a new unit on ________.
phonology
Like phonetics, phonology is all about the study of speech sounds.However, whereas phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds (such as how to produce them), phonology is the study of how speech sounds pattern together in different ________.
Like phonetics, phonology is all about the study of speech sounds.However, whereas phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds (such as how to produce them), phonology is the study of how speech sounds pattern together in different ________.
languages
For example, you have learned that English includes each of the following speech sounds (among others): /p/, /n/, and /æ/ These three sounds can be combined in six different ways.However, you may find that some of these combinations sound better than ________.
For example, you have learned that English includes each of the following speech sounds (among others): /p/, /n/, and /æ/ These three sounds can be combined in six different ways.However, you may find that some of these combinations sound better than ________.
others
Nonetheless, /pn/ is possible at the start of words and syllables in French, such as in the word pneu /pnø/ ‘tire’.This is a demonstration of ________.
Nonetheless, /pn/ is possible at the start of words and syllables in French, such as in the word pneu /pnø/ ‘tire’.This is a demonstration of ________.
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English phonotactics forbid the sequences /pn/ from occurring at the beginning of a ______
English phonotactics forbid the sequences /pn/ from occurring at the beginning of a ______
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The English word 'pan' is actually pronounced /pæ̃n/, demonstrating a phonological process called ______
The English word 'pan' is actually pronounced /pæ̃n/, demonstrating a phonological process called ______
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Syllables are in many ways the rhythmic units of ______
Syllables are in many ways the rhythmic units of ______
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The words try, fly, and chai are said to rhyme because their syllables share certain ______ and properties
The words try, fly, and chai are said to rhyme because their syllables share certain ______ and properties
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The word 'imagine' has the syllables /ɪ/, /mæ/, and /dʒɪn/, which range in size from one to three ______ sounds
The word 'imagine' has the syllables /ɪ/, /mæ/, and /dʒɪn/, which range in size from one to three ______ sounds
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The word 'strengths' is just one big ______ consisting of eight speech sounds
The word 'strengths' is just one big ______ consisting of eight speech sounds
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What is the main focus of phonology?
What is the main focus of phonology?
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In English, which sequence of sounds is not permitted at the start of a word or syllable?
In English, which sequence of sounds is not permitted at the start of a word or syllable?
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What is demonstrated by the word 'pneu' in French, pronounced as /pnø/?
What is demonstrated by the word 'pneu' in French, pronounced as /pnø/?
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Why does phonotactics matter in language?
Why does phonotactics matter in language?
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What is the term used to describe a set of sounds within a word which seem to group together independently of any morpheme or meaning?
What is the term used to describe a set of sounds within a word which seem to group together independently of any morpheme or meaning?
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In the word 'imagine', how many syllables are there?
In the word 'imagine', how many syllables are there?
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What makes the words 'try', 'fly', and 'chai' rhyme?
What makes the words 'try', 'fly', and 'chai' rhyme?
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What is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, such as how to produce them?
What is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, such as how to produce them?
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Which language allows the sequence /pn/ to occur at the beginning of a syllable?
Which language allows the sequence /pn/ to occur at the beginning of a syllable?
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What is a phonological process that English vowels undergo before nasal consonants?
What is a phonological process that English vowels undergo before nasal consonants?
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Study Notes
Phonology vs. Phonetics
- Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, such as how to produce them.
- Phonology is the study of how speech sounds pattern together in different languages.
Phonotactics
- Phonotactics is the study of how speech sounds combine in a language.
- In English, the sequence /pn/ is not permitted at the start of a word or syllable.
- However, in French, the sequence /pn/ is possible at the start of words and syllables, as demonstrated by the word "pneu" /pnø/ 'tire'.
Syllables
- Syllables are the rhythmic units of language.
- The word "imagine" has three syllables: /ɪ/, /mæ/, and /dʒɪn/.
- A syllable can have one to three phonemes (sound units).
Rhyming
- Words "try", "fly", and "chai" rhyme because their syllables share certain phonemes and properties.
Phonological Processes
- The English word "pan" is actually pronounced /pæ̃n/, demonstrating a phonological process called nasalization.
- Nasalization is a phonological process that English vowels undergo before nasal consonants.
Importance of Phonotactics
- Phonotactics matters in language because it determines the possible combinations of speech sounds in a language.
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Description
Learn about the study of speech sounds and the International Phonetic Alphabet in this unit on phonology. Understand the differences between phonetics and phonology, and how speech sounds pattern in different languages.