SEGMENTAL AND SUPRASEGMENTAL OF

SPEECH SOUNDS
Ramelan(2004:22) classifies sounds into segmental and suprasegmentals. He
classifies segmental, which refer to sound units arranged in a sequential order. He classifies
suprasegmentals, which refer to such features as Stress, Rythm, Intonation, and other
features that always accompany the production of segmental.

Length

The length or quality of a sound is the length of time during which it is held on continuously
in a given word or phrase (Jones,2002 : 232). The term ‘length’ refers to the period of time
during which a sound is produced in a given utterance (Ramelan,2004:29)

Rhythm

Rhythm is represented by means of musical notation.

Stress

Stress is the degree of force with which a sound or syllable is uttered

(Jones,1987:245).

Ramelan(2004:25) states that ‘stress’ meant the degree of force or loudness with
which a syllable is pronounced so as to give it prominence. He said there three degrees of
stress can be observed in English:

 Strong or primary stress

 Medium or secondary stress
 Weak stress

Intonation

According to Ramelan (2004:32) intonation may also be called the melody of speech.
The proper use of intonation is very important since it makes speech more lively and
interesting to the hearer. Intonation is divided into at least two kinds namely : rising
intonation and falling intonation.