Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why are semivowels not treated as vowels?
Why are semivowels not treated as vowels?
How are diphthongs in Standard British English characterized?
How are diphthongs in Standard British English characterized?
Why is the sequence /ju:/ considered a rising combination in English?
Why is the sequence /ju:/ considered a rising combination in English?
Why are rising combinations in English treated as sequences of approximant plus vowel?
Why are rising combinations in English treated as sequences of approximant plus vowel?
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Why couldn't the semivowel in 'you' be considered as part of a syllabic nucleus?
Why couldn't the semivowel in 'you' be considered as part of a syllabic nucleus?
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What differentiates the sequence /ju:/ from typical falling diphthongs in English?
What differentiates the sequence /ju:/ from typical falling diphthongs in English?
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Study Notes
Semivowels and Vowels
- Semivowels are articulated like vowels but function as consonants.
- Semivowels have a shorter duration than vowels
- Semivowels have a more constricted articulation than vowels.
- Semivowels occur in the onset of syllables, while vowels form the nucleus.
Diphthongs in Standard British English
- Diphthongs are sounds formed by the movement of the tongue from one vowel position to another.
- Standard British English diphthongs are characterized by a movement from a less to a more open vowel position.
- The first element of a diphthong is typically more prominent and longer than the second.
The Sequence /ju:/
- In
/ju:/, the tongue starts in a high front position for /j/ and moves to a high, back, and rounded position for /u/. - This movement results in a rising pattern.
- It is perceived as a rising combination, and it is considered a sequence because the first element is a semivowel.
Rising Combinations in English
- The initial element in rising combinations is an approximant, a sound where the constriction is very slight.
- Such sounds function as semivowels, which are not considered as vocalic because of their short articulation duration.
- Approximants cannot be considered as a syllabic nucleus because they are not full vowels and don't have a prominent peak.
The Semivowel in "You"
- The semivowel /j/ in "you" cannot be considered as part of the syllabic nucleus because it is not a full vowel and doesn't have a prominent peak.
- This is further supported by the fact that /j/ can be followed by a vowel in some words like "few" and "music".
Distinguishing /ju:/ from Falling Diphthongs
- Falling diphthongs in English involve a movement from a more open to a less open vowel position, opposite to the movement in the /ju:/ sequence.
- This movement in falling diphthongs makes the second element more prominent and longer.
- The rising movement in /ju:/ is characterized by a lesser prominence of the second element relative to the initial element.
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Description
Explore the distinctions between semivowels and vowels in English, focusing on the degree of prominence, vocalic sounds, and syllabic structure. Challenge your understanding of phonetics and word pronunciation.
