5 Important elements in Phonetics and Phonology

Phonetics and phonology are different but complementary domains in the study of languages. Phonetics on one hand deals with the sound production, as well as the organs or parts of body involved in their production. Phonology on the other hand, studies the various ways the sounds change due to the individual differences, such as culture, geographical location, etc.

Where are sounds produced?

This is a basic question in Phonetics and Phonology, which brings us to articulatory phonetics. Since language comes out through the mouth, it would be a good idea to study the mouth and the parts where each sound is made. Look at the diagram below.

PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY. The articulatory organs (the organs of speech)
The articulatory organs (the organs of speech)

In the diagram you can see where each consonant sound is produced. We call these areas ‘points of articulation’. The points of articulation to make the sounds of English are the:

  • two lips
  • teeth ridge (alveolar)
  • hard palate
  • soft palate (velum)
  • nasal cavity
  • glottis.

The consonant sounds

Other area concerned by phonetics and phonology is the study of consonants. Each consonant sound has a name, derived from its place and manner of articulation. In the English consonant system there are 24 consonant sounds.

Below are listed all the 24 consonants of English. Because they are not letters but sounds, they are written in-between slanted strokes.

  • /p/and/b/
  • /t/ and /d/
  • /k/ and /g/
  • /f/ and /v/
  • /s/ and /z/
  • /ʃ/ and /ʒ/
  • /ʧ/ and /ʤ/
  • /ɵ/ and /ʆ/
  • /m/
  • /n/
  • /ŋ/
  • /I/
  • /r/
  • /h/
  • /w/
  • /j/

Observe carefully, in a mirror, where each of these sounds is produced and listen to the manner of production. Try to name each consonant sound – their points of articulation and the manner in which they are produced will help you do this. Most of them are in pairs – try sounding them out and note the differences.

Notice that /p/ and /b/ are produced by blocking the air from the lungs at the two lips and then releasing it suddenly. So where do you produce the two sounds? At the two (bi) lips (labials). How are the two sounds produced? By blocking the air with the lips and suddenly releasing it, making a plosive. So from the explanation of the manner and point of articulation, what name would you give to these two sounds? Bilabial plosives.

You can further classify the two bilabial plosives as ‘voiceless’ and ‘voiced’. Sound them again: /p/ is silent or voiceless and /b/ is voiced. Voiceless consonants are produced by tightening the vocal chords (voccoids) in the larynx so that they do not vibrate. With voiced consonants, the voccoids are relaxed and allowed to vibrate.

Plosive consonants can also be classified as ‘fortis’ and ‘lenis’; these are Latin words for strong and weak. Say the sounds /p/ and /b/ again – loudly. What do you feel? When /p/ is sounded, even-the chest moves due to force. So /p/ is fortis (strong) and -/b/ is lenis.

  • /t/ and /d/ are alveolar plosives.
  • /k/ and /g/ are velar plosives
  • /f/ and /v/ are labio-dental fricatives.
  • /s/ and /z/ are alveolar fricatives.
  • /ʃ/ and /ʒ/ are post or palato-alveolar fricatives.
  • /ʧ,/ and /ʤ/ are palato-aiveolar affricates.
  • /ɵ/ and /ʆ/ are dental fricatives.
  • /m/is a labio-nasal.
  • /n/ is an alveolar nasal.
  • /ŋ/ is a velar nasal.
  • /l/ is a lateral.
  • /r/ is a post alveolar approximant.
  • /h/ is a glottal fricative.
  • /j/ is an approximant or a semi-vowel.
  • /w/ is an approximant or a semi-vowel.

The vowel sounds

A phoneme, in simple terms, is a meaningful sound unit. This means that all the sounds listed above are phonemes.

Look at the following symbols for vowel sounds.

Group A

  • /ɪ/as in pit /pɪt/
  • /e/ as in pet /pet/
  • /ӕ/ as in man /mӕn/
  • /ᴧ/ as in but /bᴧt/
  • /ɒ/ as in pot /pɒt/
  • /ʊ/ as in put /put/
  • /ə/as in about /əbaʊt/

Group B

  • /i:/ as in key /ki:/
  • /ɑ:/as in car/kɑ:/
  • /ɔ:/ as in core /lɔ:/
  • /u:/as in cool /ku:/
  • /ɜ:/ as in curve /kɜ:v/

Group C

  • /eɪ/ as in bay /beɪ/
  • /aɪ/ as in buy /baɪ/
  • /ɔɪ/ as in boy /bɔɪ/
  • /ɪd as in peer /pɪa/
  • /ea/ as in pear /pea/
  • /ʊa/ as in poor /pʊa/
  • /eʊ/ as in go /geʊ/
  • /aʊ/ as in cow /kaʊ/

Short and long vowel sounds

We have deliberately grouped the vowel sounds to help you understand more clearly. Groups A and B both have ‘pure vowel sounds’, but in Group A are ‘short vowel sounds’ and in Group B ‘long vowel sounds’. The vowel sounds in Group C are not pure; they are diphthongs. To make a diphthong the tongue has to ‘glide’; in other words, it has to shift from one position to another in order to bring out a sound. For example, to pronounce /ei/ the tongue moves from the Id to the /ɪ/ position. One vowel sound makes up a monophthong and two vowel sounds make up a diphthong. When three vowel sounds follow on they form a triphthong.

In any language the vowel and consonant sounds blend with each other to come up with intelligible words that carry the thoughts of the speaker. When these sounds reach the listener they have to be decoded, and this decoding will depend on what is already on the mind of the hearer.

Phonetics and phonology in brief

♦ Phonology covers the largest part of language, as communication in any language is facilitated by the sounds that carry the message.

♦ Different languages are the result of the differences in the way the sounds are produced and the meanings they convey, according to the culture and customs of the language-speakers.

♦ Letters are not sounds and sounds are not letters, but letters stand for sounds. Phonetics is the study of the sounds of different languages.

♦ Phonemics (or phonetics) is the transcription or ‘writing gown’ of different languages.

♦ Speaking in and listening to a language involves more than simply hearing. The brain has to encode and decode the language to make meaning.

Both phonetic and phonology are necessary to understand the basic elements of communication and expression in any language.


Discover more from My Companion Blog

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

20 thoughts on “5 Important elements in Phonetics and Phonology”

  1. I was recommended this web site via my cousin. I am not sure whether this publish is written by means of him as no one else understand such specific about my difficulty.You’re wonderful! Thank you!

  2. Just desire to say your article is as astounding.

    The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  3. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

  4. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a great job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome. Excellent Blog!

  5. Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!

    1. Dear Precious Holzman,

      Thank you for reaching out and expressing your interest in collaborating or exchanging links with our blog. While your offer sounds intriguing, it’s important to note that our blog focuses primarily on Education contents. If your site also covers these subjects extensively, it could indeed be beneficial for both of us to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

      To further discuss this matter, kindly provide me with your email address, and I will get in touch with you shortly. I appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to hearing from you.

      Best regards,
      Elites

  6. I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

    1. Thank you, Chelsey, for your kind words and appreciation for my writing skills. I’m glad you find the layout of my blog pleasing as well. To answer your question, the theme I’m using is not a paid one but rather a customized version that I modified myself. I wanted to create a unique and user-friendly experience for my readers. I believe that quality content and a visually appealing layout go hand in hand to provide a pleasant reading experience. I appreciate your compliments and encouragement, as it motivates me to continue producing valuable content.

  7. Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!

  8. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

    1. Hi Coy Pinckney,

      Starting your own weblog can be an exciting venture! While there are costs involved in setting up a blog, they don’t have to break the bank. Let’s go through some essential requirements and considerations to help you get started.

      1. Choose a blogging platform: There are several popular blogging platforms available, such as WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. These platforms offer different features and customization options, so it’s worth exploring them to find one that suits your needs.

      2. Domain name and hosting: To have a professional-looking blog, you’ll need to purchase a domain name (e.g., http://www.yourblogname.com). Domain prices can vary, but they are generally affordable. Additionally, you’ll need a hosting service to store your blog’s files and make it accessible on the internet. Hosting costs also depend on the provider and the package you choose.

      3. Content management system (CMS): A CMS simplifies the process of creating and managing your blog’s content. Many blogging platforms, like WordPress, come with built-in CMS functionality, making it easier for you to publish and organize your posts.

      4. Design and customization: While most blogging platforms offer free themes, you might want to invest in a premium theme or hire a web designer to create a unique look for your blog. Customization can help your blog stand out and reflect your personal brand.

      5. Regular updates and maintenance: Blogging requires consistent effort and dedication. Plan to regularly update your blog with fresh and engaging content. Additionally, keep an eye on security updates and perform backups to protect your blog’s data.

      Regarding costs, it’s possible to start a blog on a tight budget. Many blogging platforms offer free options, allowing you to get started without any upfront costs. As your blog grows, you might consider investing in premium themes or additional features, but that’s entirely optional.

      Before diving in, I recommend doing some research and exploring resources that provide step-by-step guides on setting up a blog. With a bit of patience and learning, you’ll be able to create an engaging platform to share your thoughts and ideas. Best of luck with your blogging journey!

  9. 팀뷰어 다운로드 사용법에 대해 알려드릴게요~
    팀뷰어란 원격제어 프로그램입니다. 컴퓨터나 노트북 등과 같은 기기를 멀리서도 제어할 수 있게 해주는 프로그램이죠. 이 글에서는 PC버전인 TeamViewer 15 버전을 설치해서 스마트폰에서도 활용할 수 있는 방법을 알려드릴게요. 스마트폰 앱스토어에서 어떻게 검색해야하나요? 안드로이드 폰이라면 구글 플레이 스토어에서 아이폰이라면 앱스토어에서 ‘TeamViewer’라고 검색하면 됩니다. 설치 후 실행했는데 아이디랑 비밀번호 입력하라고 나와요.
    사용자 이름이랑 비밀번호 설정하라는 창이 나오면 그냥 건너뛰기 하시면 됩니다. 팀뷰어 다운로드 사용법

    1. Thank you for sharing the information about TeamViewer and explaining its usage for remote control purposes. It seems like a helpful program that allows users to control their computers or laptops from a distance. Your instructions on installing the PC version, TeamViewer 15, and utilizing it on smartphones are useful.

      To search for the TeamViewer app on Android phones, one can go to the Google Play Store, while iPhone users can find it on the App Store. After installation, you mentioned that a prompt asks for an ID and password. If a window appears asking for a username and password, it seems that you can simply skip that step.

      Although your comment focuses on the usage of TeamViewer, it seems unrelated to the topic of phonetics and phonology. If you have any specific thoughts or questions about the elements discussed in the post, I’d be happy to engage in a conversation about phonetics and phonology.

  10. Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.

    1. Hello Harlan Broun,

      Thank you for your comment and question. I understand that dealing with spam feedback can be quite frustrating, and I’m happy to offer some suggestions to help reduce it.

      One effective way to combat spam feedback is by using a plugin specifically designed for this purpose. There are several anti-spam plugins available for different blogging platforms that can automatically filter out spam comments. These plugins often use algorithms to identify and block spam, ensuring that only genuine comments reach your blog.

      Another useful technique is to enable comment moderation. By enabling this feature, you can manually review and approve comments before they are published. It adds an extra layer of control and prevents spam from appearing on your blog. However, do keep in mind that this may require some time and effort on your part to consistently monitor and approve comments.

      Additionally, some blogging platforms offer CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA features that require users to complete a simple test to prove they are human. This can significantly reduce automated spam comments.

      Lastly, encouraging genuine engagement and interaction from your readers can help minimize spam. By fostering a community atmosphere and encouraging meaningful discussions, you are more likely to attract authentic comments from people genuinely interested in your blog’s content.

      I hope these suggestions help alleviate the spam feedback issue you’re facing. Good luck with your blog, and if you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

      Best regards,
      Elites

Comments are closed.

Discover more from My Companion Blog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Scroll to Top
Verified by MonsterInsights