ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics)

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Course: Phonetics and Phonology (9056) Semester: Spring, 2023

Level: MA TEFL

Please read the following instructions for writing your

assignments. (AD, BS, BEd, MA/MSc, MEd) (ODL Mode).
1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a
question the marks are distributed according to its requirements.
2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the
requirements of the questions.
3. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from
books, study guides or allied material.
4. Handwritten scanned assignments are not acceptable.
5. Upload your typed (in Word or PDF format) assignments on or
before the due date.
6. Your own analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.
7. Late assignments can’t be uploaded at LMS.
8. The students who attempt their assignments in Urdu/Arabic may
upload a scanned copy of their handwritten assignments (in PDF
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Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 40
ASSIGNMENT No. 1

Q.1 Write down the distinctive features of the final

consonantal sound in each of the following words:

(10)

Life Dogs Rain That Witch

Answer:

1. Life - voiced dental fricative /ð/

2. Dogs - voiceless velar plosive /k/

3. Rain - voiced alveolar nasal /n/

4. That - voiceless dental fricative /θ/

5. Witch - voiceless postalveolar affricate /tʃ/

Q.2 Transcribe and write down the number of phonemes in
each of the following words:
(10)

Jugs Stage Psychology Ear Olive

Answer:
1. Jugs - 4 phonemes (/dʒʌɡz/)

2. Stage - 5 phonemes (/steɪdʒ/)

3. Psychology - 10 phonemes (/saɪˈkɑlədʒi/)

4. Ear - 2 phonemes (/ɪr/)

5. Olive - 4 phonemes (/ˈɑləv/)

Q.3 Transcribe and write down the CV templates for the

following words showing their syllabic boundaries:
(10)

Faithfulness Wanton Hopeful Successful Valley

Answer:

1. Faith-ful-ness
2. Wan-ton

3. Hope-ful

4. Suc-cess-ful

5. Val-ley

Q.4: Describe English consonants with relevant examples.

(15)

There are 24 consonant sounds in English, and they are divided into

groups based on characteristics such as site of articulation, style of

articulation, and voicing.

By preventing or limiting the passage of air through the vocal tract,

consonants are created, giving rise to a unique sound.

Following are some samples of the most common English

consonants:

1. Plosives (stops): These consonants are created by totally

restricting the airflow and then abruptly opening it. The English

language has six plosive sounds: /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/.
Examples:

/p/ - pen, pie, pepper, pick

/b/ - bat, ball, boat, bubble

/t/ - tea, toe, top, tent

/d/ - dog, door, down, dad

/k/ - cat, kite, keep, king

/g/ - gap, good, give, go

2. Fricatives: These consonants are made by pushing air through a

small opening, which causes friction and, as a result, a hissing or

buzzing sound. English has nine fricative sounds: /f/, /v/, /θ/, /ð/, /s/,

/z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, and /h/.

Examples:

/f/ - fan, fish, phone, flute

/v/ - van, very, vote, vine

/θ/ - thanks, thing, think, path

/ð/ - this, that, then, them

/s/ - sit, sun, see, noise

/z/ - zoo, zero, zebra, buzz

/ʃ/ - ship, share, shoe, sugar

/ʒ/ - pleasure, vision, measure, beige

/h/ - hat, house, heat, hello

3. Affricates: These are consonants that start as plosives but end as

fricatives. The consonant sounds /tʃ/and dʒ/are affricates.

Examples:

/tʃ/ - chaise, church, cheap, picture

/dʒ/ - jump, judge, giant, June

4. Nasals: By shutting the mouth cavity and forcing airflow through

the nose, nasal sounds are created. English has three nasal consonants:

/m/, /n/, and /ŋ/.

Examples:

/m/ - man, me, mom, mouse

/n/ - name, no, noon, nurse

/ŋ/ - ring, wrong, tong, finger

5. Liquids: Air is allowed to travel through a partly blocked vocal

tract to generate these sounds. English has two liquid sounds: /l/ and

/r/.

Examples:

/l/ - light, liver, leg, lost

/r/ - room, red, right, rope

6. Glides: These are formed by allowing the air to travel through a

partly constricted vocal tract. They are also known as semi-vowels. In

English, the glide sounds are /j/ and /w/.

Examples:

/j/ - yes, you, youth, yellow

/w/ - wet, when, west, where

It's crucial to keep in mind that certain English consonants may sound

different depending on where they are in a word or how close they are
to other sounds. For instance, how you pronounce the /t/ in tea differs

from how you pronounce the /t/ in halt.

The way you pronounce the letter "k" in keep and school may sound

somewhat different. Additionally, distinct English dialects may have a

different pronunciation for particular consonants.

To sum up, English consonants are a basic part of the language, and

mastering the various consonant sounds is important for both

pronunciation and verbal communication. Learning how to pronounce

each consonant sound correctly can help learners speak more

successfully in English.

Q.5: Describe 'intonation' and explain the possible functions

of intonation in speech. (15)

Answer:

Intonation, which refers to a speaker's melody or pitch fluctuation

during speaking, is a crucial component of language. In spoken

language, the rise and fall of the voice's pitch level contains a variety

of meanings that the listener can understand.

As a result, intonation is extremely important for communicating a

message's intended meaning.

Intonation's Potential Uses in Speech

In speech, intonation may be used to emphasize certain words or

phrases in a statement as well as to express emotions. Some of the

uses of intonation in speech are listed below:-

Expressing feelings

The ability to transmit emotions through speech is one of intonation's

important uses.The degree of tension, rage, joy, pleasure, grief, or

excitement that a speaker tries to convey can be determined by

intonation. For instance, a voice's increasing pitch suggests surprise or

enthusiasm, whereas a voice's lowering pitch denotes disappointment

or melancholy.

Highlighting Particular Words or Phrases

Accentuating particular words or phrases is another way that

intonation in speech has a purpose.Intonation can be used to

emphasize key phrases or to convey difference between two words or

phrases. For instance, the rising pitch on love and dropping pitch on
hate highlight the distinction between the two opposing words in the

line I love chocolate but I loathe vanilla.

Interrogative Tone

To distinguish between assertions and inquiries, employ intonation.

When a sentence is finished, a rising intonation is used to express an

inquiry, while a falling intonation is used to indicate a statement. For

example, the phrase Do you enjoy ice cream? has a rising intonation

to suggest an inquiry, but the phrase You like ice cream has a falling

intonation to suggest a statement.

How to Tell the Difference Between Rudeness and Politeness

Speech might seem kind or impolite depending on the intonation used.

The intonation of a voice may convey politeness or rudeness. A soft,

calm, and gentle voice can convey politeness. An illustration is the

phrase I'd appreciate it if you could close the window.

the phrase "Close the window!" expresses civility while using a mild,

soothing accent. Speaks rudely and impolitely when it is spoken in a

loud, harsh voice.

Discussion Pointers

Intonation can be used to signal discourse categories including subject

shift, sentence completion, or speech hesitancy. For instance, a

decreasing intonation can be employed to signal a change in subject or

the conclusion of a discourse at the end of a paragraph.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intonation is an essential component of speech that

carries many meanings and serves a variety of purposes. The

intonation of a speaker's voice can convey emotions, draw attention to

certain words or phrases, distinguish between assertions and inquiries,

signal politeness or rudeness, and act as discourse markers.As a result,

it is of the utmost importance to pay attention to intonation when

speaking and listening to others in order to completely comprehend

the intended message.

Q.6: Define 'Auditory Phonetics' and describe the processes

involved in speech hearing. (15)

Answer:

Auditory phonetics is the study of how speech sounds are heard and

processed by the human auditory system. The auditory system is a

complex network of organs and cerebral connections that work

together to allow humans to hear and interpret speech.

The Auditory System's Anatomy

The auditory system is divided into three sections: the outer ear, the

middle ear, and the inner ear. Each component is essential in the

processing of sound.

The Outer Ear

The outer ear (also known as the pinna) is made up of both the visible

section of the ear and the ear canal. The pinna is structured like a

funnel and serves to gather and route sound waves towards the ear

canal. The ear canal is a small, tube-like structure coated with

microscopic hairs and earwax. The hairs and wax protect the eardrum

while also providing some resonance and sound filtration.

The Middle Ear

The middle ear is positioned beneath the eardrum and is joined to the

outer ear by ossicles, which are small bones. The ossicles are made up

of three little bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes. The eardrum

vibrates as sound waves travel through the ear canal and strike it.

These vibrations are subsequently conveyed to the inner ear through

the ossicles.

The Inner Ear

The inner ear is the ultimate stage of sound processing. It is made up

of two major components: the cochlea and the vestibular system. The

cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure made up of hundreds of

microscopic hair cells. When vibrations from the ossicles reach the

cochlea, the hair cells move and create electrical impulses, which are

then communicated to the brain. The vestibular system, on the other

hand, is in charge of sensing changes in the posture and balance of the

body.
Sound Perception's Physiological Processes

Sound perception is a complicated interaction of physical sound

waves and physiological processes that occur in the auditory system.

The sections that follow describe some of the major processes

involved in sound perception.

Sound Waves

Physical vibrations flow through the air as sound waves. They are

distinguished by three primary characteristics: frequency, loudness,

and timbre.The number of vibration cycles that occur in a sound wave

every second is referred to as its frequency. It determines the pitch of

a sound and is measured in hertz (Hz). Higher-frequency noises are

heard as higher-pitched, whereas lower-frequency sounds are seen as

lower-pitched.

The intensity or loudness of a sound is referred to as its amplitude. It

is expressed in decibels (dB). Higher amplitude sounds are regarded

as louder, whereas lower amplitude sounds are seen as softer.

Timbre is the distinct character or tone of a sound. It enables humans

to discriminate between distinct sources of sound, even when their

pitch and volume are the same.

Transduction

The process by which physical sound waves are turned into electrical

signals that the brain can understand is referred to as transduction.

This process takes place in the cochlear hair cells. Sound waves that

travel through the ossicles and reach the inner ear move the hair cells

in the cochlea. Hair cells create electrical impulses that are sent to the

brain via the auditory nerve when they move.

Auditory Nerve

A collection of nerve fibers known as the auditory nerve carries

electrical information from the cochlea to the brainstem.

Low-frequency noises are processed by nerve fibers at the apex of the

cochlea, while high-frequency sounds are processed by nerve fibers at

the base of the cochlea. This organization of the nerve fibers is based

on the frequency of the sounds that they respond to.

Speech Understanding: Cognitive and Perceptual Processes

In addition to the complicated perceptual and cognitive processes that

take place in the brain, the perception and interpretation of speech

entail the physical processes of sound perception. The main steps of

speech comprehension are described in the sections that follow.

Speech segmentation

The process of breaking down a continuous stream of speech into

discrete components, including words and sentences, is referred to as

speech segmentation. This procedure is crucial for comprehending

speech because it enables us to recognize the distinctions between

various linguistic units. Speech is assumed to be segmented based on

a mix of linguistic information (such as our understanding of word

boundaries and typical phrase patterns) and auditory signals (such as

pauses and changes in pitch).

Phoneme Awareness

The smallest units of sound that may be utilized to discriminate

between several words in a language are called phonemes. One

phoneme, such as /b/ vs. /k/, distinguishes the words "bat" and "cat,"

for instance. Phonemes are believed to be perceived depending on the

speech signal's acoustic characteristics and the listener's familiarity

with their language's phonetic system.

Recognizing words

Word recognition is the method through which we determine the

significance of individual words within a phrase. Bottom-up and

top-down processing are assumed to be combined in this process. The

acoustic characteristics of the speech stream are analyzed in

bottom-up processing, whereas word identification is aided in

top-down processing by the use of context and past information.

Sentence construction

The process by which we combine individual words into a logical

sentence structure is referred to as sentence processing. Many

cognitive processes, including syntactic analysis (the identification of

grammatical structure) and semantic analysis (the identification of

meaning), are assumed to be involved in this process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, physical sound waves and the physiological,

perceptual, and cognitive processes that take place in the auditory

system and the brain interact intricately to affect how speech is

perceived and understood. Understanding these procedures will help

us improve speech treatment methods and our understanding of

human voice perception and cognition.

Q.7: Phonemically transcribe the following passage:

(25)

This is a unit used in the study of quantity and rhythm in

speech. In this study it is traditional to make use of the

concept of the syllable. However, the syllable is made to play a

lot of different roles in language description: in phonology we

often use the syllable as the basic framework for describing

how vowels and consonants can combine in a particular

language, and most of the time it does not seem to matter that

we use the same unit to be the thing that we count when we

are looking for beats in verse or rhythmical speech.

Traditionally, the syllable has also been viewed as an

articulatory unit consisting in its ideal form of a movement

from a relatively closed vocal tract to a relatively open vocal

tract and back to a relatively closed one. Mora is an

important feature of generative phonology.

Answer:
ðɪs ɪz ə juːnɪt juːzd ɪn ðə stʌdi əv kwɒntəti ənd rɪðəm ɪn spiːʧ. ɪn ðɪs

stʌdi ɪt ɪz trədɪʃənəl tuː meɪk juːs əv ðə kənsept əv ðə sɪləbəl. haʊevər,

ðə sɪləbəl ɪz meɪd tuː pleɪ ə lɒt əv dɪfrənt roʊlz ɪn læŋgwɪdʒ

dɪskrɪpʃən: ɪn fənɒlədʒi wiː ɒfən juːz ðə sɪləbəl əz ðə beɪsɪk freɪmwɜːk

fɔː dɪskraɪbɪŋ haʊ vaʊlz ənd kɒnsənənts kən kəmbaɪn ɪn ə

pərˈtɪk.jʊlər læŋgwɪdʒ, ənd məʊst əv ðə taɪm ɪt dʌz nɒt sim tu mætə

ðæt wiː juːz ðə seɪm juːnɪt tuː bi ðə θɪŋ ðæt wiː kaʊnt hwen wiː ər

lʊkɪŋ fɔː biːts ɪn vɜːs ɔːr rɪðmɪkəl spiːʧ. trədɪʃənəli, ðə sɪləbəl hæz

ɔːlsəʊ bɪn vjuːd əz ən ɑːtɪkjʊleɪtəri juːnɪt kənsɪstɪŋ ɪn ɪts aɪdɪəl fɔːm əv

ə muːvmənt frəm ə ˈrɛlətɪvli kləʊzd ˈvəʊkəl trækt tuː ə ˈrɛlətɪvli

ˈəʊpən ˈvəʊkəl trækt ənd bæk tuː ə ˈrɛlətɪvli kləʊzd wʌn. mɔːrə ɪz ən

ɪmˈpɔːtənt fiːtʃər əv ˈdʒɛnərətɪv fəˈnɒlədʒi.