Podcast Beta
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 ________.
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 ________.
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 ________.
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 ________.
Signup and view all the answers
English phonotactics forbid the sequences /pn/ from occurring at the beginning of a ______
Signup and view all the answers
The English word 'pan' is actually pronounced /pæ̃n/, demonstrating a phonological process called ______
Signup and view all the answers
Syllables are in many ways the rhythmic units of ______
Signup and view all the answers
The words try, fly, and chai are said to rhyme because their syllables share certain ______ and properties
Signup and view all the answers
The word 'imagine' has the syllables /ɪ/, /mæ/, and /dʒɪn/, which range in size from one to three ______ sounds
Signup and view all the answers
The word 'strengths' is just one big ______ consisting of eight speech sounds
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main focus of phonology?
Signup and view all the answers
In English, which sequence of sounds is not permitted at the start of a word or syllable?
Signup and view all the answers
What is demonstrated by the word 'pneu' in French, pronounced as /pnø/?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does phonotactics matter in language?
Signup and view all the answers
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?
Signup and view all the answers
In the word 'imagine', how many syllables are there?
Signup and view all the answers
What makes the words 'try', 'fly', and 'chai' rhyme?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, such as how to produce them?
Signup and view all the answers
Which language allows the sequence /pn/ to occur at the beginning of a syllable?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a phonological process that English vowels undergo before nasal consonants?
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
