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1. The Subject Matter of Phonetics
1.1 . The Phonetic System of Language
Phonetics is a branch of linguistics which studies the sound matter: human
speech, the way it is produced, received, its functions, and how speech conveys the
speaker’s meaning. Phonetics deals with:
 the sound system of a language,
 the syllabic structure of a language,
 word stress,
 prosody (sometimes loosely identified with intonation).
The phonetic system of a language comprises two levels: segmental and
suprasegmental (prosodic).
Segmental phonetics is the study of speech sounds – the smallest segments
of speech. Speech sounds are subdivided into vowels (V) and consonants (C)
forming the vocalic and consonantal subsystems. So vowels and consonants are
segmental units.
Suprasegmental phonetics is the study of a complex effect produced by
several factors – variations in (a) pitch of voice, (b) loudness, and (c) tempo of
speech. To study these features, we need a unit larger than a sound – a meaningful
sequence of sounds. Sequences of sounds, which form suprasegmental units, do
not necessarily coincide with words. They may coincide with such morphological
and syntactical units as a syllable, a word, a combination of words, a clause (part
of a composite sentence), a simple sentence. This is a peculiarity of phonetics
compared to, say, grammar, lexicology or stylistics. Suprasegmental (prosodic)
units are syllable, rhythmic group, tone group, utterance, text.
Syllable a unit larger than a single segment (sound) and smaller than a
word. From phonetic perspective, the syllable is the smallest articulatory and
perceptible unit in connected speech.
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For example, fac‧ul‧ty
gig‧a‧byte
won‧der‧ful
Rhythmic group is a stressed syllable or a stressed syllable with some
unstressed ones grouped around it.
For example, `Yes (one rhythmic group)
One can 'never be `sure (two rhythmic groups)
Rh. gr. 1
Rh. gr. 2
She is the 'best 'student in my `year (three rhythmic groups)
Rh. gr. 1
Rh. gr. 2
Rh. gr. 3
Tone groups are sense groups into which a spoken sentence is divided with
the help of tone and pauses. In speech tone groups are separated from one another
by pauses.
For example, I’ll `help you
Rh. gr. 1
|
no 'matter `what
Rh. gr. 2
Tone gr.1
||
Rh. gr. 3
Tone gr.2
(three rhythmic groups, two tone groups)
Utterance is a spoken equivalent for sentence. An utterance may consist of
one or more tone groups. Pauses between utterances are longer than pauses
between two tone groups within one utterance. Let us consider again the abovegiven example:
I’ll `help you | no 'matter `what ||
(two tone groups, one utterance)
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Unlike a sentence (which is supposed to be grammatically correct because
its meaning is conveyed through words and syntactical structure), an utterance may
lack grammatical correctness: part of its meaning may be conveyed through nonverbal elements – prosody, body language, gestures, facial expression. Besides, the
meaning of an utterance depends on situational context.
For example, (1) A. We are invited to the party.
B. Lovely! (pleasure)
(2) C. They made it clear we are not welcome.
D. Lovely. (displeasure, sarcasm)
Text is a coherent sequence of utterances which presents a speaker’s ideas
on a particular topic.
In connected speech, the features of the suprasegmental level – speech
melody, stress, rhythm, tempo, pauses, timbre – work together. They are
superimposed on sequences of sounds (segments), which is why these features are
called suprasegmental.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. What are the aspects of phonetic phenomena?
2. What are the levels of the phonetic system?
3. What does segmental phonetics study?
4. What are segmental units?
5. What does suprasegmental phonetics study?
6. List the suprasegmental features.
7. List the suprasegmental units.
8. Define each of them.
9. How are the suprasegmental units different from words, groups of words,
sentences?
10.What is syllable? Provide your own examples to illustrate this concept.
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11. Define rhythmic group. Provide your own examples to illustrate this
concept.
12. Define tone group. How is tone group different from rhythmic group?
13. What is utterance?
14. How is utterance different from sentence?
15. Provide your own examples to show the difference between utterance and
sentence.
16. What is text? What are the key words in the definition of text?
17. Explain the meaning of coherent sequence.
18. Explain the meaning of suprasegmental features, suprasegmental phonetics.