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Phonology: Speech Sound Systems Explained

Phonology is the study of sound systems in language. It examines phonemes, the smallest units of sound that distinguish meaning, and allophones, contextual variants of phonemes. Phonological processes like assimilation make strings of sounds easier to pronounce by modifying articulation to match neighboring sounds. Obligatory processes apply regularly while optional ones vary between speech styles. Phonotactics governs sound combinations in syllables and clusters. Markedness contrasts complexity, with unmarked sounds being basic and common, and marked sounds being complex and learned later.

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115 views2 pages

Phonology: Speech Sound Systems Explained

Phonology is the study of sound systems in language. It examines phonemes, the smallest units of sound that distinguish meaning, and allophones, contextual variants of phonemes. Phonological processes like assimilation make strings of sounds easier to pronounce by modifying articulation to match neighboring sounds. Obligatory processes apply regularly while optional ones vary between speech styles. Phonotactics governs sound combinations in syllables and clusters. Markedness contrasts complexity, with unmarked sounds being basic and common, and marked sounds being complex and learned later.

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marielmaxenne.dorosan.cvt
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LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND Examples:

SOCIETY
aspirated [p] in spit; and unaspirated
[ph]” in pit vs “p” in pit and “b” in bit
Lesson: Phonology
 Phonology  Allophones
- A system concerned with factors used to - is a variation of phonemes.
organize speech sounds. - Different allophones occur in different
 Phone / Phonetic Unit / Segment phonetic environments.
- A unit of sound that can be mentally  Distinctive Feature
distinguish from other sound in what is - In linguistic, the term distinctive refers to
actually the continuous flow of sound the units that contrasts, that is, change
that makes up a speech. meaning when substituted for each
- It can be described on the basis of other.
articulatory, auditory, and acoustic - Phonemes are distinctive, allophones
characteristics. are not.
- It can be said bilabial (a labial consonant
articulated with both lips), a stop (a Phonological Processes
pulmonic consonant in which the vocal
track is blocked so that all airflow  Obligatory Phonological Process
ceases) and a consonant (any speech - Is a rule that most native speakers of a
sound, such as represented by t, g, f, or specific language apply to make a string
z, that is characterized by an articulation of phonetic units easier to pronounce
with a closure or narrowing of the vocal and perceive.
tract such that a complete or partial  Assimilation
blockage of the flow of air is produced). - Is the obligatory phonological process
that makes it easier to pronounce
combinations of sounds by make those
 Manner and Place of Articulation sounds share a distinctive feature.

 Manner of Assimilation
- Involves making a string of sounds
easier to pronounce by making one of
them conform to the manner of
articulation of the other.

cat – [kaet} bat- {baet}

 Place Assimilation
- Adjacent sounds are made to agree in
their place of articulation

ray – [re] pray - [pre]


 Phoneme win- [win] twin - [twin]
- A perceived unit of language that signals
a difference in meaning when contrasted
with other phonemes.
 Optional Phonological Process
- simply create differences in speech
styles. It may involve change in
syllabicity, which involves an alternative
pronunciation of a syllable from an
idealized pronunciation.

Example:
deleting sound - readily [redli]
unstressed vowel /I/ redily [redIli]

 Phonotactics
- Is an area of phonology that studies the
combination of phonemes that are
allowed (or conversely restricted) in the
formation of syllables, consonant
clusters and sequence of vowels.
 Redundancy
- Redundancy occurs when more
information than necessary under ideal
conditions is present.

For instance, when a vowel is nasalized


in English, it indicates that it precedes a
nasal consonant.

Please get me the pill.


Please get me the bill.

Markedness

 Markedness
- Is a contrast in complexity and rarity (of
sounds and other phenomena).
 Unmarked Sounds
- More basic, more common in the
language, and learned by the children
earlier than marked sounds.
 Marked Sounds
- Are more complex, less common in the
language and learned by children later
than unmarked sounds.
/p/, /b/
/s/, /z/

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