Phonetics and

Phonology
EL 100 – Introduction to Linguistics
 pronunciation vs articulation
• pronunciation /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
pronounce - is to say a word or a
letter in a particular way
depending on your
upbringing or
region/place
• articulation - refers to the usage of
speech organs such as tongue,
jaws, lips, etc. in order to
produce sounds
 vowel vs consonant
Vowel /vaʊəl/ – is a speech
sound produced by humans
when the breath flows out
through the mouth without
being blocked by the teeth,
tongue, or lips
dictionary.cambridge.org
Linguistic technical terms
• monophthong /ˈmɑnəf.θɑŋ/
- a vowel sound in which the tongue stays in
one position
• diphthong /ˈdɪf.θɑŋ/
- a vowel sound in which the tongue changes position
to produce the sound of two vowels
• segmental /seɡˈmen.tə̬ l/
- used to refer to individual units of speech, such as
phonemes
• phoneme /ˈfoʊ.niːm/
- one of the smallest units of speech that make one
word different from another word
Consonants are
pronounced by stopping the
air from flowing easily
through the mouth,
especially by closing the lips
or touching the teeth with
the tongue.
dictionary.cambridge.org
 Intonation Pattern
1. Activity 1
Directions: Read the following sentences
with correct intonation.
a) How does an elephant sleep?
b) What did you learn from your field trip?
c) Is it safe to cross the hanging bridge?
d) Do plants sleep at night?
e) Are you afraid of ghost?
Activity 2
Directions: Produce the sound of bird (tweet, tweet) for
rising intonation and the sound of a frog
(Kokak, Kokak) for falling intonation.
a) Should we pray before meals?
b) Why the rice terraces are called the
stairway to heaven?
c) Do plants need sunlight in order to grow?
d) How was the earth formed?
e) Can an alligator swim?
• 2. A falling intonation is used at the end of (1) a statement,
a command, or a request and (2) a question which cannot be
answered by yes or no.
• 3. A rising intonation is used (1) at the end of a yes/no
question, (2) after a phrase within a sentence, and (3) in
enumerating persons, places, objects and others.
1. Falling Intonation

Falling intonation is when we lower our voice at the end of a

sentence. This usually happens in statements and in questions
that contain words like where, when, what, why, how, and who
(these are called information questions). Here are some
examples:
Statements
1. My name is Adir Ferreira.

2. Nice to meet you.

3. I’m going to the movies.

 Falling Intonation cont’d
Wh - questions
1. What’s your name?

2. Where does he live?

3. Why did you do that?

4. Who’s that woman over there?

5. How can I open this?

2. Rising Intonation
Rising intonation is when we raise the pitch of our voice at the end of a
sentence. We use this kind of intonation in questions that are
answered with “yes” or “no” (these are called yes/no questions).
e.g.,
1. Are you American?

2. Does she know about this?

3. Can you lend me a pencil?

4. Are we leaving soon?

Rising intonation is also used in expressions like:

1. Excuse me?
2. Really?
3. Non-final intonation
In non-final intonation sentences, the pitch rises and falls within
the sentence. This type of intonation is used with unfinished
thoughts, introductory phrases, series of words and also when
we express choices.
Unfinished thoughts

1. She bought the magazine, but she didn’t read it.

2. When I finished high school, I got a job.

3. If I study hard, I’ll pass the test.

4. I’m going outside, for some fresh air.

3. Non-final Intonation cont’d
Introductory Phrases
Phrases like as a matter of fact, as far as I’m
concerned, actually, in my opinion, if you don’t
mind and by the way also indicate that a thought
is not finished, so we use non-final intonation.
e.g.,
1. As a matter of fact, I do know where she lives.
2. As far as I’m concerned, she was not suitable for
that position.
3. Actually, the movie was pretty good.
3. Non-final Intonation cont’d
Series of Words
1. At college I’m taking psychology, French, history, and
linguistics.

2. He left work, came home, took a shower, and went to

bed.

3. I need rice, beans, lettuce, and sugar.

Reference: https://reallifeglobal.com/
3. Non-final Intonation cont’d

Choices (alternative questions)

1. Are you having ➚soup or ➘salad?
2. Is John leaving on ➚Thursday or ➘Friday?
3. Does he speak ➚German or ➘French?
4. Is your name ➚Ava or ➘Eva?
Thought Groups
• They are groups of words that go
together to form one idea.
• They help your divide your speech
into small, easy to digest bits.
• They are a kind of verbal
punctuation, which help you speak
at a pace that is easier for listeners
to understand.
Single bar juncture (/)
Double bar juncture (/)
Junctures and thought groups cont’d

1. noun phrases
• Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity,
and I'm not sure about the former.

• The best defense against the atom bomb is not to be there

when it goes off.
Junctures and thought groups cont’d

2. verb phrases

• The teacher is writing a report.

• You have woken up everyone in the

neighborhood.
Junctures and thought groups cont’d

3. prepositional phrases
• The book with the tattered cover has been read
many times.
• All the passengers aboard the runaway train
were frightened.
Junctures and thought groups cont’d
4. subordinate clauses
• We can all go for ice cream if I can find my wallet.
• I enjoy watching movies that employ lots of special
effects.

• or, as, since, therefore, hence, consequently, though, due to,

provided that, because, unless, once, while, when, whenever,
where, wherever, before, and after.

• They can also begin with relative pronouns such as that, which, who,
whom, whichever, whoever, whomever, and whose.
Junctures and thought groups cont’d

5. short main clauses

6. transitional devices and
7. interjections