5) Methods and techniques used in analyzing a phenomenon are determined by the characteristic of the

phenomenon itself. Dealing with language data we must take into account the duality of language sounds and
systems resulting into a distinction between a sound speech and its organization into a functional unit
(language).

In phonetics our task is similar to natural sciences because we must find categories into which this physical
events can be classified. The phonetic methods aim to research the three aspects of speech sounds mentioned
above.

Phonetic Methods (articulatory)

Methods of investigation are closely connected with the aspect of sounds (articulatory, acoustic). Thus
phonetic methods include:

1) within the analysis of the articulatory aspects of sound we can mention

- the method of direct observation of all movements and positions of speech organs of the speakers and
ourselves. This is the oldest and most subjective method.

-more objective method was introduced: instrumental or experimental, including palatography. It is

applied when an artificial palate with sensors is placed inside the mouth cavity, fixing the position of the
tongue.

-laryngoscopy is the observation of larynx with the aim of registering the work of the vocal chords with
the help of a laryngoscope.

-Photography or x-ray photography is employed to register the static position of visible and invisible
speech organs.

- cinematography- used to register invisible movement positions.

-electromyography- is used when electric devices are used to register the movement of muscles in
speech organs.

Within studying the acoustic or auditory aspect of sound there are such methods as:

- first was the method of direct perception (this means by hearing) and only later various
equipment was introduced. Among the latter we can distinguish among the following:
+ pitchpipe (камертон)

+ in 1940s greatly improved techniques became available: sound spectography – producing

sound spectograms (schematic representations of the intensity and frequency of the harmonics
involved in vowel sound and the frequency of the types of interruptions, which constituted
consonant sounds.

- other instrumental methods include: phonography (recording on tape/disk) which allows for the
further development of lingua-psychological methods such as the replacement of sound in the
recorded speech to identify and analyze them further. All sound data obtained experimentally
needs linguistic foundation.