REFLECTION WEEK 5

In Week 5, I had the opportunity to learn more about the consonants and vowels
of Vietnamese and their classifications. Through the contrastive analysis between
Vietnamese and English consonants and vowels, I gained a deeper understanding
of the differences in pronunciation between the two languages.

Vietnamese has a total of 30 consonants, which include 22 initial consonants

and 8 ending consonants, whereas English has a total of 24 consonants. I also
learned that Vietnamese has 16 vowels, which are classified based on their height,
backness, and rounding. Additionally, Vietnamese vowels have distinct tones that
can alter the meaning of a word. Through the contrastive analysis, I was able to
identify unique vowel sounds in Vietnamese that are absent in English, such as the
six tones and the nasalization of certain vowels.

My instructor also showed me the contrastive analysis between English and

Vietnamese vowels, further highlighting the differences in vowel sounds between
the two languages. I now understand that English has 25 vowel sounds, while
Vietnamese has 16, and that Vietnamese vowels have distinct tones and
nasalization’s not found in the English language. Through this analysis, I gained a
better understanding of the complexities of Vietnamese pronunciation and the
challenges it can pose for English speakers. Overall, this knowledge has been
invaluable in expanding my linguistic horizons and helping me communicate more
effectively in Vietnamese.