28 Questions
What is the definition of phonotactics?
The combination of sounds that a language allows in different parts of a word or syllable
Why do words like [pfat] and [ʃmit] not feel like English words?
They have sounds that English lacks
How do languages differ phonotactically?
In the sounds they use and the number of consonants
What can be a syllable in English?
One vowel in one syllable
How is the syllable structure of a word determined?
By using transcriptions
What is the nucleus of a syllable?
A vowel
What is the process of drawing syllable trees based on?
Transcribing the word phonetically
What are diphthongs counted as in English?
One unit
What can lead to insertion, deletion, flipping, and replacing of sounds when learning a new language?
Phonotactic mismatches between languages
What are epenthesis and elision examples of?
Phonological processes
What is metathesis?
The flipping of sounds
What causes individuals to impose the phonotactic and syllabic constraints of their native language on a new language?
When learning a new language
How many of the 4.5 billion possible combinations of consonants and vowels are heavily used in English?
Only a few hundred
How many possible combinations of consonants and vowels does English have?
13,824
What is the reason for English using only a small fraction of the possible combinations of consonants and vowels?
Unknown
What is the first consonant that cannot occur in English?
[ŋ]
What is assimilation in phonology?
When one sound changes to be more similar to one of its neighboring sounds
What is an example of voicing assimilation?
[t] becoming [s]
What is dissimilation in phonology?
When one sound changes to be less similar to one of its neighboring sounds
What is an example of dissimilation?
Changing a voiced stop to a voiceless stop
What is epenthesis in phonology?
Adding segments
What determines whether a sound change is assimilation or dissimilation?
The properties of the neighboring sounds
What is the most commonly found process in English involving consonants?
Voiced consonants becoming voiceless at the end of the word
When does epenthesis typically occur in English?
Between two vowels
What are allophones?
Different pronunciations of the same phoneme
What is complementary distribution in phonology?
Two sounds that never occur in the same environment
What is free variation in phonology?
Two sounds that can change meaning when substituted for one another
What is the difference between sounds and phonemes?
Phonemes are stored in the mind, while sounds are the actual pronunciations
Study Notes
Phonological Structure and Syllabic Constraints
- The number of times a person has to open and close their jaw to pronounce a word depends on the vowels and consonants around it.
- The syllable structure of a word is determined by using transcriptions, not spelling.
- English heavily constrains the combinations of consonants and vowels, with only a few hundred used out of 4.5 billion possible combinations.
- Different languages have specific phonological constraints, for example, the first consonant in English cannot be [ŋ].
- English has 13,824 possible combinations of consonants and vowels, but only 5 are actually used, and the reason for this is unknown.
- A syllable must have a vowel, which forms the nucleus, and can have optional consonants before and after it.
- The process of drawing syllable trees involves transcribing the word phonetically, identifying vowels, and assigning them to the nucleus slot.
- Diphthongs are counted as one unit in English, and "er" or [ɚ] are treated as a vowel.
- When learning a new language, individuals often impose the phonotactic and syllabic constraints of their native language on the new language, causing perceptual filters.
- Phonotactic mismatches between languages can lead to insertion, deletion, flipping, and replacing of sounds when speaking and hearing a new language.
- Certain phonological processes, such as epenthesis (sound addition) and elision (sound deletion), occur unconsciously during normal speech.
- Metathesis, the flipping of sounds, is an old phonological process that has been happening for centuries and can be observed in certain English vernaculars.
Test your knowledge of phonological structure and syllabic constraints with this quiz. Explore the constraints and combinations of consonants and vowels in different languages, and learn about phonotactic mismatches and phonological processes such as epenthesis and metathesis.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
