200 likes | 752 Views
Phonetics & Phonology. John Corbett: USP-CAPES International Fellow Session 4: Sounds in context: elision, assimilation, etc. This session: Strong and weak forms Connected speech processes: Assimilation Elision Coalescence ‘Linking’ and ‘intrusive’ /r/. Changing the shape of a word.
E N D
Phonetics & Phonology John Corbett: USP-CAPES International Fellow Session 4: Sounds in context: elision, assimilation, etc
This session: • Strong and weak forms • Connected speech processes: • Assimilation • Elision • Coalescence • ‘Linking’ and ‘intrusive’ /r/ Changing the shape of a word
A set of words in English have • ‘strong’ forms – stressed • ‘weak’ forms - unstressed Strong and weak forms
Example • I washere strong /wɔz/ • I was hereweak /wəz/ /wɪz/ /wʌz/ etc Strong and weak forms
60+ such words in English strong weak • of cup of tea /ɔv/ /əv/, /ɪv/ etc • them tell them about it /ðɛm/ /ðəm/, /ðm/ • him I said to him /hɪm/ /ɪm/ • that all that he said /ðat/ /ðət/ etc • will I’ll go /wɪl/ /l/ • would I’d go /wud/ /d/ • and fish and chips /and/ /n/ … Strong and weak forms
When one segment becomes more similar to a neighbouring sound, because of the influence of that sound • in Paisley /n/ /m/ before /p/ • in Carluke/n/ /ŋ/ before /k/ • this shop /s/ /ʃ/ before /ʃ/ (cf. fish shop) Connected speech processes: Assimilation
Loss of segment(s) or syllable(s) • brand new elision of /d/ • last night elision of /t/ • class tests [tɛsː] elision of second /t/ • policemen’s vests [plismnzvɛsː] elision of /ə/, /t/ • Worcester library’s opening on Wednesdays in February Connected speech processes: Elision
Transcribe this!! • Worcester library’s opening on Wednesdays in February! Connected speech processes: Elision
Transcribe this!! • Worcester library’s opening on Wednesdays in February! • /wu:stə laɪbriz əʊpnɪŋ ən wɛnzdeɪz n fɛbrɪ/ Connected speech processes: Elision
second hand policemen’s vests • /hand p…/ • /han p…/ elision • /ham p…/ + assimilation Connected speech processes: Elision + Assimilation can apply in sequence
second hand policemen’s vest shop • /vɛst ʃ…/ • /vɛs ʃ …/ elision • /vɛʃ ʃ …/ + assimilation Connected speech processes: Elision + Assimilationcan apply in sequence
When two phonemes merge to produce a third, different phoneme • e.g. would you /d j/ /ʤ/ /wudju/ /wuʤu/ Coalescence
The pronunciation of /r/ at the ends of words in accents that don’t normally have /r/ in this position (a.k.a. non-rhotic accents) • beer /bir/ (ScE) /bɪə/ (RP) • beer and wine /bɪərənwaɪn/ (RP) • far /far/ (ScE) /fɑ/ (RP) • far away /fɑrəweɪ/ (RP) ‘Linking’ /r/
Like linking /r/, but in words where there is no <r> in the spelling. • idea /aɪdɪə/ (RP) • the idea of it /aɪdɪərəvɪt/ (RP) • law /lɔ/ (RP) • law and order /lɔrənɔdə/ (RP) ‘Intrusive’ /r/
A. Because the vocal organs aren’t like the keys of a typewriter. • They don’t move discretely (i.e. in jumps), but continuously • Skilled movements are smooth and efficient • We prepare in advance for upcoming articulations • We leave out non-essential parts Q. Why do connected speech processes happen?
There are some problemsaffecting some Portuguese speakers ofEnglishwhentheypronouncesounds in sequence, e.g. • The insertionofintrusiveor extra (´epenthetic´ vowels) between, beforeorafterconsonants. Trysayingthefollowingwords: • clothes /kləʊðz/ • steam /sti:m/ • park /pɑ:k/ • gate /geɪt/ • cab /kæb/ Howwouldyouteachlearnerstocorrectthefirstofthesewords? ToheartheseintrusivesoundslistentotheBrazilian puma saying ´space´ in thefollowing clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe8_aka_qlw Transferissues
Sometimes, however, some Portuguese speakers ofEnglishdrop final unstressedvowels, orunstressedvowelstowardstheendofwords. Trypronouncingthefollowingwords: • city /sɪte/ • coffee /kɒfe/ • office /ɒfɪs/ • WatchtheBrazilian puma clip again. Canyouhearanyexamplesofdroppedunstressedvowels? Are thereanyothertransferissueswiththepuma’spronunciation? More transferissues
Connected speech processes - • They can change the shape of a word: • BUT they don´t necessarily make words more difficult to understand for L1 speakers • They may offer a challenge to L2 learners´ listening. • Since the phonological systems of Brazilian Portuguese and English are different, there might be ´negative transfer´ of Brazilian Portuguese phonological processes to English speech. Summary