Understanding Phonemes and Phonology in English
Exploring the concept of phonemes and phonology in English phonetics, this text discusses how sounds are produced, segmented, and categorized. It delves into the abstract string of sound units known as phonemes, different realizations of the same phoneme called allophones, and the use of symbols and transcription in phonetics. The distinction between phonetics, which describes sounds used in speech, and phonology, which examines how phonemes function in language, is also highlighted.
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Unit 5 from English Phonetics and Phonology by Peter Roach Week 3
PART II: PHONEMES (CHAPTER 5) When we speak, we produce a continuous stream of sounds. In studying speech, we divide this stream into small pieces that we call segments or units of speech The word man is pronounced with a first segment m, a second segment and a third segment n. However, it is not always east to decide the number of segments. Example: Mine the first segment is m and the last is n, but what about the middle? Should we regard it as one or two segments?
PHONEMES Phonemes: abstract string of sound units The complete set of these units is called the phonemic system. Allophone: different realizations of the same phoneme. (stop/top, ray/tray, pill/spill).
SYMBOLS AND TRANSCRIPTION Symbols are used for two purposes: either they are symbols for phonemes (phonemic symbols) or they are phonetic symbols. In a phonemic transcription, only the phonemic symbols may be used; this has the advantage of being quick and easy. The disadvantage is that as you continue to learn more about phonetics you become able to hear a lot of sound differences and you may find it frustrating not to write down detailed information. In a phonetic transcription, is more accurate in phonetic detail and contains more information about the quality of the sounds. The complete set of phonemes are displayed as follows: the vowels and diphthongs can be located in the vowel quadrilateral and the consonants can be placed in a chart or table according to place of articulation, manner of articulation and voicing. The best set of symbols is that of the International Phonetics Association alphabet (IPA). It is important to note that in addition to the many symbols on the chart, there are diacritics- marks which modify the symbol in some way.
PHONETICS VS PHONOLOGY Phonetics describing sounds that we use when we speak Phonology- examining how phonemes function in a language, the relationships among different phonemes, i.e. studying the abstract side of the sounds of a language
