Phonetics and Phonology

First Lecture

Mr. Wajdi Almsmari

2023

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 Chapter 1
Introduction
Phonetics : is the scientific study of human speech sound, it deals with
the physical properties of sounds.

Phonology: is a branch of linguistics, it is the scientific study of the

system or pattern of speech sounds used in a particular language or
language in general.

Differences

Phonetics Phonology
Descriptive linguistics Theoretical linguistics
All speech sounds (universal) Sounds of a particular language
Limited scope Broader scope

Phoneme : is the smallest unit of phonology or the minimal unit in the

sound system. The complete set of phonemes is called the phonemic
system of the language.

One or two more variations of the same phoneme in language. It doesn't

change the meaning

Allophone: is different realization of the same phoneme. E.g the aspirated

\p\ of "pin" / phin/ and the unaspirated /p/ "spin" /spin/ are allophones of
the phoneme /p/

Features of phonemes and allophones in comparison

Phonemes
Abstract sound type
The number in a language is limited
It can change the meaning
Allophones
Real speech sounds, realization of
phoneme in speech
The number is unlimited
It cannot change the meaning

Accent : refer to variety of a language differing from standard in

pronunciation

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Dialect : refers to a variety of a language usually differs from other
variations in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary from standard
language

BBC pronunciation ( Received Pronunciation – R P ) : is the standard

accent of English language which mainly used by educated people and
also recommended for foreigners to learn and use.

IPA : abbreviation for the International Phonetic Alphabet, a system of

symbols for showing how sounds are pronounced.

Voiceless sounds: sounds are produced when the vocal cords are open,
the air pass through them and therefor they don't vibrate.

Voiced sounds : sounds are produced when the vocal cords are gently
held together, they vibrate as the air force the vocal cords away then they
closed quickly and the process is repeated continuously

Oral sound: The air out from mouth that's make oral sound.

Nasal sound : The air out from nose that's make nasal sound