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Explore the intricate systems and patterns of speech sounds in language through phonology. Discover phonemes, natural classes, minimal pairs, and sets, as well as the structure and types of syllables. Understand coarticulation effects like assimilation, nasalization, and elision. Distinguish between phonemes and phones, and delve into the essential elements of sound organization in language. This comprehensive guide provides insights into the abstract design and variations of speech sounds, aiding in understanding sound distinctions for effective communication.
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Chapter 4 The sound patterns of language
Phonology Phonology is essentially the description of the systems and patterns of speech sounds in a language. • It is concerned with the abstract or mental aspect of the sounds in language rather than with the actual physical articulation of speech sounds. • It is about the underlying design, the blueprint of each sound type, which serves as the constant basis of all the variations in different physical articulations of that sound type in different contexts.(e.g. pg. 40) • It is concerned with the abstract set of sounds in a language that allows us to distinguish meaning in the actual physical sounds we say and hear.
Phonemes Aphonemeis any meaning-distinguishing sound in a language. If we substitute one sound for another in a word and there is a change of meaning, then the two sounds represent different phonemes. Note that slash marks are conventionally used to indicate a phoneme, i.e. /t/ Natural Class : Sounds that share some features are members of a natural class of sounds. (e.g. pg. 41)
Phones and allophones Phonesare the different versions of that sound-type regularly produced in actual speech. Allophones the set of phones that are versions of one phoneme.
Minimal pairs and sets Minimal pairs When two words such as pat and bat are identical in form except for a contrast in one phoneme, occurring in the same position, the two words are described as a minimal pair (fan–van) (bet–bat ) (site–side) Minimal sets When a group of words can be differentiated, each one from the others, by changing one phoneme (always in the same position in the word), then we have a minimal set. (feat, fit, fat, fate, fought, foot) (big, pig, rig, fig, dig, wig)
Syllables • A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. • A syllable must contain a vowel or vowel-like sound, including diphthongs. • The most common type of syllable in language also has a consonant (C) before the vowel (V) and is typically represented as CV. • The basic structure of the kind of syllable found in English words like green (CCVC), eggs (VCC), and (VCC), ham (CVC), I (V), do (CV), not (CVC), like (CVC), them (CVC), Sam (CVC), I (V), am (VC) is shown in the accompanying diagram.
The onset (one or more consonants) are the basic elements of the syllable. The rhyme consists of 1) a vowel, which is treated as the nucleus 2) any following consonant(s) called the coda Both the onset and the coda can consist of more than one consonant, known as a consonant cluster Open syllables = have an onset and a nucleus, but no coda (e.g. me, to, no) Closed syllables = When a coda is present at the end (e.g. up, cup, at, hat)
Coarticulation effects Coarticulation is the process of making one sound almost at the same time as the next sound. Coarticulation effects: • Assimilation • Nasalization • Elision see pgs. 45-46
