(PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY)

SESSION 1
I. Course Introduction
II. The Production of Speech Sound
(The Vocal tract, Facial Diagram)
III. Larynx and different positions
of the glottis
 I. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Purpose of the course:

- To explain how English is pronounced in the

accent chosen: BBC Pronunciation

- To present this information in the context of a

general theory about speech sounds (Phonetics)
and how they are used in English (Phonology)
 I. INTRODUCTION
PHONETICS: the scientific study of the production of
human speech sounds.

The central concern in phonetics are:

- how speech sounds are produced;

- how they are used in spoken English;

- how we can record speech sounds with written symbols;

- how we can hear and recognise different sounds.

 I. INTRODUCTION
PHONOLOGY: the study of the function of speech sounds.

The most basic activity of phonology is

phonemic analysis, to establish what the phonemes are,
and the relationships between different phonemes.

SUPRASEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY: the study of stress,

rhythm and intonation
 I. INTRODUCTION
PHONEMES: A small number of regularly used
sounds or sound units (vowels and consonants)

▪ PHONETIC SYMBOLS: represent speech sounds/

phonemes.
 I. INTRODUCTION
1.2. Content of the course:
- The first part: identifying and describing the
phonemes of English - Vowels (Unit 2),
Consonants (Units 3-5), Phonemes & the use
of symbols (Unit 6)
- The rest: Syllable (Unit 7), Stress (Units 8-9) ,
and Intonation (Unit 12).
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
1. Three factors in the production of speech sound:
- Outgoing airstream
- Vocal bands (in the larynx)
- Resonance chambers/ resonator (to modify the speech sound
produced): the pharynx, the oral & nasal cavities

 Process: (the air stream) the lungs → the trachea (windpipe)

→ the larynx (voicebox/ Adam’s apple)+ 2 vocal bands (inside)
→ the resonance chambers (pharynx, oral & nasal cavities)
→ the ears
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
1. The vocal tract: the breathing passage through which the air travels

- The vocal tract = the lungs → the trachea (windpipe) → the larynx
→ the pharynx (upper throat) → the mouth/ the nose

+ The organs of the vocal tract are located in the head, throat, and chest
(producing and modifying speech sounds)

- Articulation: the formation of speech sound

- Articulators: movable organs of the vocal tract involved in articulation

(the tongue = the most movable articulator, the lower lip)

- Points of articulation: the parts of the vocal tract which cannot move
or just move a little bit, but involved in articulation
(the upper lip, the teeth, the alveolar ridge, the hard palate, the soft
palate/ velum, the pharynx, the larynx)
II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
2.1. Facial Diagram
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUND
2.1. Facial Diagram
(1) The tongue: a very important articulator
(= tip, blade, front, back, root)

(2) The lips: important in speech

+ pressed together → /p//b/ (bilabial)
+ brought into contact with the teeth → /f//v/ (labiodental)
+ rounded → /uː/

(3) The alveolar ridge: between the top front teeth and the hard palate
+ tongue touching the alveolar ridge → /t//d//n/ (alveolar)
II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
(1) Sub-division of the tongue
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
2.1. Facial Diagram

(4) The teeth (upper & lower)

+ tongue touching the front teeth → /θ//ð/ (dental)

(5) The hard palate: “the roof of the mouth”

+ tongue close to the hard palate → /j/ (palatal)

(6) The soft palate/ velum

+ tongue in contact with the lower side of soft palate:
→ /k//ɡ/ (velar)
(7) The pharynx: just above the larynx
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
2.2 Vowels and Consonants
- Vowels: sounds in which there is no obstruction to the flow
of air as it passes from the larynx to the lips/ through the
vocal tract.
- Consonants: sounds in which there is obstruction to the flow
of air as it passes from the larynx to the lips/ through the
vocal tract.
→ Articulation of consonants: bringing an articulator into
contact with a point of articulation
e.g. /p/ lower lip (articulator) + upper lip (point of articulation)
>> bilabial (place of articulation)
 II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
3. Larynx and different positions of the glottis
3.1. Larynx = Voice box/ Adam’s apple
- 2 Vocal bands/ folds/ cords: inside the larynx
- Glottis: the opening between the vocal bands
3.2. Different positions of the glottis
Wide apart: position for normal breathing,
and voiceless consonants
Narrow glottis: position for /h/ sound

Partially open/ closed: position for vocal band vibration,

voiced sounds
Tightly closed: position for /ʔ/ glottal stop/ plosive
II. THE PRODUCTION OF SPEECH SOUNDS
3.2. Different positions of the glottis
TO CONSOLIDATE SESSION 1 AND
PREPARE FOR SESSION 2

1. Review Unit 1
2. Do Test 1
3. Read Unit 2 at home