Question

1. Give the definition of the English phonemes: [p], [m], [e], [au].
2. Identify the phonetic process in each word or word combination: background, quarrel, a
pair of jeans
3. Transcribe the following English words, show the point of syllable division in each of them
by putting a bar between the syllables (table [tei | bl]) and define each type of syllable:
nightmare, conversation, careless, volunteer.
4. Give the pronunciation forms for RP and Gen Am.: volunteer, territory.
5. Read the following utterances with the proper intonation: Your new hair-style suits you
perfectly. – Nice of you to say that.

Answer 1

Phoneme Definitions:

[p]: Voiceless bilabial plosive.

[m]: Voiced bilabial nasal.

[e]: Mid-front unrounded vowel.

[au]: Diphthong, starting with the open front unrounded vowel [a] and gliding into the close back rounded vowel [u].

Phonetic Processes:

background: Assimilation (nasalization of 'g' before 'round').

quarrel: Flapping (flap [ɾ] instead of a full [r]).

a pair of jeans: Linking ('a' and 'of' are linked with a glottal stop).

Transcription with Syllable Division:

nightmare: [ˈnaɪtˌmɛər]

Syllable division: night-mare.

Syllable types: closed-open.

conversation: [ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən]

Syllable division: con-ver-sa-tion.

Syllable types: closed-closed-open-closed.

careless: [ˈkɛərˌlɪs]

Syllable division: care-less.

Syllable types: open-open.

volunteer: [ˌvɒlənˈtɪə]

Syllable division: vol-un-teer.

Syllable types: open-closed-open.

Pronunciation Forms for RP and Gen Am.:

volunteer:

RP: [ˌvɒlənˈtɪə]

Gen Am: [ˌvɑlənˈtɪr]

territory:

RP: [ˈterɪtəri]

Gen Am: [ˈterəˌtɔri]

Intonation Practice:

Your new hair-style suits you perfectly. (Statement, falling intonation)

Nice of you to say that. (Response, rising intonation)