- 21. ASPIRATION /ˌaspɪˈreɪʃn/:
This refers to the outburst of airstream that accompanies that articulation of the stops in English. It is realized when {p, t, k} occur in word initial positions or syllable initials in pre-vocalic contexts, that is, when they come before vowel sounds. Aspiration is achieved when placing a raised letter [h], that is [raised h] after the aspirated sound.
- 22. PHONETICS /fəˈnet.ɪks/
Phonetics, in Roach (2002:58), is the discovery of hoe speech sounds are produced, how they are used in spoken language, how we can record speech sounds with written symbols and how we hear and recognise different sounds. Comrie (2007) adds that phonetics is the field of language study which concerned with the physical properties of sounds. Finally, it is the study of speech sounds and their physiological production and acoustic qualities. Phonetics has three branches, namely: articulatory; acoustic and auditory.
- 23. ARTICULATORY PHONETICS
Articulatory Phonetics concerns itself with the production of sounds of English with a view to focusing on the special and specific functions of the different various organs we use in the production speech. Comrie notes that it deals with how the human vocal apparatus produces sounds. Finally, it considers the speech articulatory organs, their interactions and individual organ actions.
- 24. ACOUSTIC PHONETICS
This term considers the sound waves produced by the human vocal apparatus. It involves the laboratory study of speech with the aid of specialised machines which are used to register the properties of the given sound. Such machines include: electro-aerometer, intensity meter, pitch meter, among others.
- 25. DIPHTHONG: /ˈdɪfθɒŋ/
From the word term ‘diphthong’, ‘di’ means ‘two’, while ‘thong’ means ‘two’. When combined the two, we have two English sounds within a sound segment, though scholars have controversial issues on whether a diphthong is made up of a single sound or two individual vowel sound brought together to form one. The English diphthongs are eight in English language.
- 26. PHONOLOGY:
Phonology is a popular phonological term used basically known for the study of the properties of the sound system of a language which English users have understood, known, mastered and internalised when they have become competent users with accurate mastery. The essential aim of phonology therefore, is to put into consideration the characteristics features of the English sound system which speakers should have noted and accurately mastered for communication. It has two types, viz: Diachronic phonology and Synchronic phonology. Besides this, it has two aspects, namely: segmental phonology and suprasegmental phonology.
- 27. DIACHRONIC PHONOLOGY
This is also being referred to as historical phonology, which examines and constructs theories about the changes that occur in speech and sound system over a period of time.
- 28. SYNCHRONIC PHONOLOGY
We also refer to this as descriptive phonology which looks into sounds at a single stage in the development of a language.
- SEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY
29. This is a crucial term in English pronunciation as well as an essential aspect of English phonology which examines the individual sound system of English. It looks into how the individual phonemes are combined to convey meaning.
- 30. SUPRASEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY
In suprasegmental phonology, ‘supra’ means ‘more than’, while the ‘segment’ have to do with the ‘phonemes’. Therefore, it concerns itself with the aspects and features of English pronunciation above the sound system. Traditionally, phonologists refer to it as prosody and non-segmental.
Bibliography
-Hornby, A.S. (2015). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. 9th Ed. Oxford University Press
-Jones, D. edited and revised by Roach, P.J. and Hartman, J. (1997) Daniel Jones English Pronouncing Dictionary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
-Roach P. (2000) English Phonetics and Phonology, A self-contained comprehensive pronunciation course. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press