English

Phonology
 Contents
01 Connected Speech
02 Types of Connected Speech
1 Connected Speech

3
 Connected Speech
 Many non-native speakers of English believe they should

pronounce each word separately because they want to make

sure their speech is clear and easily understood. However, this
creates speech that sounds foreign and a mechanical, almost like
computer-generated speech.

 Native speakers connect words together to make the speech

smoother which is the key for having a natural and fluent speech.
 Connected Speech
 Linking and speaking fast are not the same thing! You don’t need

to speak fast. When native speakers link words, they are not
necessarily speaking faster. The speech is just smoother, and less
choppy.

 It’s extremely important to stress the content words when you

are linking words because this will force you to slow down at the
right place, and it will make your speech more easily understood.
1

2 Types of Connected Speech

3
 Types of Connected Speech
 The main features of connected speech include:
1. Linking = joining sounds together
2. Assimilation = change in a sound
3. Gemination = ignoring two identical sounds
4. Intrusion = adding an extra sound
 Linking
 When a word ends in a consonant and the next word begins with a
vowel, connect the final consonant to the next vowel, making it sound as
if the second word starts with a consonant.

written spoken
1. He takes a bus to work. He takesə bus tə work.

2. They wrote a letter to the president. They wrotesə letter tə thə president.

3. I left an umbrella in your car. I leftən umbrella in yər car.

4. She runs or swims every day. She runsər swims every day.
 Linking
1. Good evening. Have a good evening.
2. Hold on. Please hold on a minute.
3. good idea That’s a really good idea.
4. I like it. I like it a lot.
5. speak English Do you speak English?
6. cup of coffee I’d like a cup of coffee.
7. Just a minute. I’ll be there in just a minute.
8. where are Where are you from?
9. there are There are a lot of people here.
10. kind of I’m kind of hungry.
 Linking with article “an”
1. I ate an apple and an orange.
2. I have an iPad and an iPhone.
3. I made an offer to buy an amazing house.
4. He has an American accent.
5. Give me an honest answer.
6. That’s an interesting question.
7. That’s an unbelievable story.
8. That’s an unusual situation.
9. I live in an apartment.
10. I’ll be there in an hour.
 Linking -ing + Vowel
1. a. What are you planning on doing tonight?
b. Nothing special. Just hanging out with some friends. Are you going out?
a. No, I think I’ll be staying in and watching a movie.

2. a. I’m shopping around for a car.

b. Are you planning on buying a new car or a used car?
a. I’m thinking about getting a used car.

3. a. Why did you hang up on me?

b. I hung up because you were yelling at me.
 Exercise 2: Linking
1. a. Can I come in? 5. a. How far is it?
b. Yes, come on in. The door is open. b. Four and a half hours away.

2. a. Should I leave it on? 6. a. This is a good film.

b. No, turn it off. b. Too bad it’s sold out.

3. a. What time is it? 7. a. I have an awful headache.

b. It’s already five o’clock. b. Take an aspirin.

4. a. Let’s take a walk. 8. a. This is my brother - in-law.

b. That’s a good idea. b. We’ve already met.
 Exercise 2: Linking
1. a. Can I come in? 5. a. How far is it?
b. Yes, come on in. The door is open. b. Four and a half hours away.

2. a. Should I leave it on? 6. a. This is a good film.

b. No, turn it off. b. Too bad it’s sold out.

3. a. What time is it? 7. a. I have an awful headache.

b. It’s already five o’clock. b. Take an aspirin.

4. a. Let’s take a walk. 8. a. This is my brother - in-law.

b. That’s a good idea. b. We’ve already met.
 Exercise 2: Linking
a. Can I help you?
b. I’m looking for a pair of sunglasses.
a. The sunglasses are on the other side of the make-up counter.
b. Oh these are nice. Can I try them on?
a. The mirror is over here.
b. How much are these?
a. They’re on sale for one hundred and eighty dollars.
b. That’s a lot of money. I don’t think I can afford that.
a. The style is amazing. We’re almost all sold out.
b. Do you have any that are cheaper?
a. No, I am afraid I don’t. Is there anything else I can help you find?
b. As a matter of fact, yes. Help me find a rich husband!
 Exercise 2: Linking
a. Can I help you?
b. I’m looking for a pair of sunglasses.
a. The sunglasses are on the other side of the make-up counter.
b. Oh these are nice. Can I try them on?
a. The mirror is over here.
b. How much are these?
a. They’re on sale for one hundred and eighty dollars.
b. That’s a lot of money. I don’t think I can afford that.
a. The style is amazing. We’re almost all sold out.
b. Do you have any that are cheaper?
a. No, I am afraid I don’t. Is there anything else I can help you find?
b. As a matter of fact, yes. Help me find a rich husband!
 Assimilitaion
 When the sounds /t/ and /d/ are followed by a /y/, then /t/ becomes /ʧ/ and
/d/ becomes /ʤ/.

1. /t/ + /y/ = /ʧ/ 2. /d/ + /y/ = /ʤ/

ʧ ʤ
Can’t you do it? Did you see it?
ʧ ʤ
Don’t you like it? How did you like it?
ʧ ʤ
I’ll let you know. Could you tell?
ʧ ʤ
Can I get you a drink? Where did you send your check?
ʧ ʤ
We thought you weren't coming. What did your family think?
ʧ ʤ
I'll bet you ten bucks he forgot. Did you find your keys?
ʧ ʤ
Is that your final answer? We followed your instructions.
 Assimilitaion
3. When a word ends with a stop sound /b, p, d, t, k, g/ and the next
word begins with a consonant, hold the stop sound and don’t release
the air. Then pronounce the second consonant.

up there help me drop down

fried chicken great day big deal

blog post dark night break time

 Assimilitaion
4. When a word ends with a /t, d, n/ and the next word begins with a
/p, b, m, k, g/, then the sounds are changed into the following:

 /t/ → /p/ before /p b m/:

wet paint /ˈwɛpˈpeɪnt/, jet black /ˈʤɛpˈblæk/, white mice /ˈwaɪpˈmaɪs/

 /d/ → /b/ before /p b m/:

a bad person /əˈbæbˈpərsn̩/, a loud bang /əˈlaʊbˈbæŋ/, red meat /ˈrɛbˈmit/

 /n/ → /m/ before /p b m/:

brown paper /ˈbraʊmˈpeɪpər/, a thin book /əˈθɪmˈbʊk/, lean meat /ˈlimˈmit/
 Assimilitaion
 /t/ → /k/ before /k g/:
hot coffee /ˈhɑkˈkɑf i/, quite good /ˈkwaɪkˈɡʊd/

 /d/ → /g/ before /k g/:

a bad cat /ə ˈbæɡˈkæt/, a red gate /əˈrɛɡˈɡeɪt/

 /n/ → /ŋ/ before /k g/:

green covers /ˈɡriŋˈkʌvərz/, twin girls /ˈtwɪŋˈɡərlz/
 Exercise 3: Assimilitaion
 Put numbers next to the phrases according to the type of assimilation.
1. /t/ → /p/ 2. /d/ → /b/ 3. /n/ → /m/ 4. /t/ → /k/
5. /d/ → /g/ 6. /n/ → /ŋ/ 7. stop sound + C

basket game basket case basket maker bad pain

mad cat put by lad labor foreign mission
brown bear common market card gamble good morning
lord mayor broad terms had stopped hot dog
open door golden car direct method garden gate
 Exercise 3: Assimilitaion
 Put numbers next to the phrases according to the type of assimilation.
1. /t/ → /p/ 2. /d/ → /b/ 3. /n/ → /m/ 4. /t/ → /k/
5. /d/ → /g/ 6. /n/ → /ŋ/ 7. stop sound + C

basket game 4 basket case 4 basket maker 1 bad pain 2

mad cat 5 put by 1 lad labor 7 foreign mission 3
brown bear 3 common market 3 card gamble 5 good morning 2
lord mayor 2 broad terms 7 had stopped 7 hot dog 7
open door 7 golden car 6 direct method 1 garden gate 6
 Exercise 4: Assimilitaion
1. a. How was the big party? 4. a. Why did the cab driver stop the car?
b. We had a really good time. b. Because there was a stop sign.

2. a. Did you eat that cupcake? 5. a. Should we lock the door?

b. Yes, I couldn’t stop myself. b. I think that would be good.

3. a. Should we stop? 6. a. Did you find the answer?

b. No, I think we should keep going. b. I’m looking it up right now.
 Exercise 4: Assimilitaion
1. a. How was the big party? 4. a. Why did the cab driver stop the car?
b. We had a really good time. b. Because there was a stop sign.

2. a. Did ʤyou eat that kcupcake? 5. a. Should we lock the door?

b. Yes, I couldn’t stop myself. b. I think that would bbe good.

3. a. Should we stop? 6. a. Did ʤyou find the answer?

b. No, I think we should gkeep going. b. I’m looking it up right now.
 Exercise 5: Assimilitaion
People who are addicted to shopping are nowadays called shopaholics. For
these shopaholics, the holiday period means only one thing - sales! Across
the country, prices are reduced on clothing, electronics, home furnishings
and more. Some people are taking their partners shopping with them and
buying their presents in the sale - a practical but unromantic way of
making sure you get the gift you really want. For a less exciting but less
stressful shopping experience, online retailers also participate in the
January sales of their own.
 Exercise 5: Assimilitaion and Linking
People who are addicted to shopping are nowadays called shopaholics.
For these shopaholics, the holiday period bmeans only one thing - sales!
Across the country, prices are reduced on ŋclothing, electronics, home
furnishings and bmore. Some people are taking their partners shopping
b
with them and buying their presents in the sale - a practical but
unromantic way of making sure you get the gift yyou really want. For a
less exciting but less stressful shopping experience, online retailers also
participate in the January sales of their own.
 Gemination
 When the final consonant of a word is the same as the first consonant of
the following word, pronounce the consonant only once. Do not pause
between the sounds, but just lengthen the sound a bit or say it with a little
bit more energy.
phrase sounds like
She speaks Spanish. She speak Spanish.
turned down turn down
help Paul help all
well lit well it
black cat black at
foreign name foreign aim
 Exercise 6: Gemination
1. big game 6. far right

2. well lit 7. stop playing

3. can never 8. Tom might

4. good day 9. book club

5. this Saturday 10. what time

 Exercise 6: Gemination
1. big ame 6. far ight

2. well it 7. stop laying

3. can ever 8. Tom ight

4. good ay 9. book lub

5. this aturday 10. what ime

 Exercise 7: Gemination
1. Both things are from me.
2. Stop playing and help Paul.
3. She’s single, and she’s sad.
4. I’m married, and I’m miserable.
5. It was so nice to meet Tom.
 Exercise 7: Gemination
1. Both ings are from e.
2. Stop laying and help aul.
3. She’s ingle, and she’s o happy.
4. I’m arried, and I’m iserable.
5. It was o nice to meet om.
 Exercise 8: Gemination
1. Have you learned the bus system?
2. We'll leave at 4:00.
3. The decision will have far-reaching consequences.
4. Those are tax saving incentives.
5. Her plate is only half full.
6. The sun never shines at midnight.
7. Both theories make sense.
8. I wish she'd hurry.
9. They pay higher rent than we do.
10. We should help Pam.
11. Parallel lines will never intersect.
 Exercise 8: Gemination
1. Have you learned the bus ystem?
2. We'll eave at 4:00.
3. The decision will have far-eaching consequences.
4. Those are tax aving incentives.
5. Her plate is only half ull.
6. The sun ever shines at midnight.
7. Both eories make sense.
8. I wish e'd hurry.
9. They pay higher ent than we do.
10. We should help am.
11. Parallel ines will never intersect.
 Exercise 8: Gemination
1. Have you learned the bus ystem?
2. We'll eave at 4:00.
3. The decision will have far-eaching consequences.
4. Those are tax aving incentives.
5. Her plate is only half ull.
6. The sun ever shines at pmidnight.
7. Both eories make sense.
8. I wish e'd hurry.
9. They pay higher ent than we do.
10. We should help am.
11. Parallel ines will never intersect.
 Exercise 8: Gemination
1. Have you learned the bus ystem?
2. We'll eave at 4:00.
3. The decision will have far-eaching consequences.
4. Those are tax aving incentives.
5. Her plate is only half ull.
6. The sun ever shines at pmidnight.
7. Both eories make sense.
8. I wish e'd hurry.
9. They pay higher ent than we do.
10. We should help am.
11. Parallel ines will never intersect.
 Exercise 9: Gemination
1. a. I believe Veronica speaks Spanish. 4. a. You’ll love it.
b. Of course she does. She’s from Mexico. b. I suppose so.
a. That makes sense.
5. a. It was a fun night, but I need to go.
2. a. When’s the big game? b. Let’s stay a little longer.
b. Either this Saturday or this Sunday. a. You stay, I’ll leave with them.
a. Do you think they’ll lose? b. Okay then, I’ll leave too.
b. I hope not.

3. a. Keep practicing.
b. You’re right, I need to.
 Exercise 9: Gemination
1. a. I believe eronica speaks panish.
b. Of course she does. She’s from exico.
p
a. That makes ense.
2. a. When’s the big ame?
b. Either this aturday or this unday.
a. Do you think they’ll ose?
b. I hope not.
4. a. You’ll ove it.
b. I suppose o.
5. a. It was a fun ight, but I need to go.
b. Let’s tay a little onger.
a. You stay, I’ll eave with em.
b. Okay then, I’ll eave too.

3. a. Keep racticing.
b. You’re ight, I need to.
 Intrusion
 When a word ends in a vowel sound and the next word begins with
a vowel sound, they are connected with either a slight /y/ sound or
a slight /w/.
 Insert /w/ when the word ends in the sounds /ʊ/, /aʊ/, /oʊ/.

Who w is he? How w are you? Go won.

 Insert /y/ when the word ends in the sounds /i/, /aɪ/, /eɪ/.

He yate out. I’ll buy yit. May yI come in?

 Intrusion: Artcile “the”
 When the article “the” is followed by a vowel sound, it is
pronounced as /ði/ and the two words are linked with light /y/
sound. When it is followed by a consonant, it is pronounced as /ðə/.
/ðə/ /ði/
y y
1 the method 6 the last 1 the other 6 the information
y y
2 the result 7 the same 2 the opera 7 the exam
y y
3 the project 8 the solution 3 the ink 8 the important thing
4 the presentation 9 the text 4 the year y
9 the amount
5 the first 10 the product 5 the yentrance 10 the yanswer
 Exercise 10: Intrusion
1. a. Why are you so upset?
b. I am not!

2. a. Who is he?
b. He is the announcer.

3. a. How is the weather?

b. Go outside and find out.

4. a. Do I need to do it?
b. No, I already did it.
 Exercise 10: Intrusion
1. a. Why yare you so w upset?
b. I yam not!
w
2. a. Who is he?
b. He yis the yannouncer.

3. a. How w is the weather?

b. Go w outside and find out.

4. a. Do w I need to do w it?
b. No, I yalready did it.
 Exercise 11: Intrusion
/u/ + vowel = /w/ /eɪ/ + vowel = /y/
1. l knew it! 1. His ideas are way out there.
2. Just do it! 2. Say it again please.
3. Let's go to Amy's place. 3. Hey Ellen!
4. Blue is my favorite color. 4. He wants to play again.
5. We flew over the blue ocean. /i/ + vowel = /y/
/oʊ/ + vowel = /w/ 1. He invited me to the party.
1. Go away. 2. The gifts are for me and my family.
2. I have no idea. 3. I saw a bee and a butterfly.
3. Although I go there often, I don’t like it. 4. We agree with you
4. He hunts with a bow and arrow.
5. There's no snow anywhere.
 Exercise 11: Intrusion
/u/ + vowel = /w/ /eɪ/ + vowel = /y/
1. l knew w it! 1. His ideas are way yout there.
2. Just do w it! 2. Say yit again please.
3. Let's go to w Amy's place. 3. Hey yEllen!
4. Blue w is my favorite color. 4. He wants to play yagain.
5. We flew w over the blue w ocean. /i/ + vowel = /y/
/oʊ/ + vowel = /w/ 1. He yinvited me to the party.
1. Go w away. 2. The gifts are for me yand my family.
2. I have no w idea. 3. I saw a bee yand a butterfly.
3. Although w I go there often, I don’t like it. 4. We yagree with you.
4. He hunts with a bow w and arrow.
5. There's no snow w anywhere.
 Exercise 11: Intrusion
/aɪ/ + vowel = /y/
1. That's my aunt Suzie.
2. Hi Ellen!
3. I need to buy a new coat.
4. You and I are buddies.
 Exercise 11: Intrusion
/aɪ/ + vowel = /y/
y
1. That's my aunt Suzie.
2. Hi yEllen!
y
3. I need to buy a new coat.
4. He yand I yare buddies.
 Exercise 12: Intrusion
We often go to the beach on the weekend. We always go by
car because it's fastest. My roommate will try anything. He
loves to surf, but he isn't a great surfer. He always falls off
the surfboard. "What's the answer?" he asked me. "I hate to
say it, but I think you should find another sport," I said.
 Exercise 12: Intrusion
We yoften go to the beach on the weekend. We yalways go
by car because it's fastest. My roommate will try yanything.
He loves to surf, but he yisn't a great surfer. He yalways falls
off the surfboard. "What's the yanswer?" he yasked me. "I
y
hate to say it, but I think you should find another sport," I
said.
 Exercise 12: Intrusion
Sometimes I go over to my friend's house. The first thing she says when
we meet is "How are you?" But if I really tell her how I am, she doesn't
listen. This happens so often that I decided to answer "fine" every time.
But then one day I said, "You never listen." So she apologized and said,
"From now on I'll do better." Then she asked, "How are you?" and I said
"Terrible!" She knew I was joking, so she said, "That's great! See how I'm
listening to everything you say?”
 Exercise 12: Intrusion
Sometimes I go w over to my friend's house. The first thing she says when
we meet is "How w are you?" But if I really tell her how w I yam, she doesn't
listen. This happens so w often that I decided to w answer "fine" every time.
But then one day yI said, "You never listen." So she yapologized and said,
w y w
"From now on I'll do better." Then she asked, "How are you?" and I said
w w
"Terrible!" She knew I was joking, so she said, "That's great! See how I'm
listening to w everything you say?”
 Exercise 13: Review
1. What you need is to go buy a more comfortable bed.
2. One car crashed into the wall of the school. Driver’s telephone was found on the road.
3. The pencil that you bought is broken.
4. This job will allow me to buy the camera I always wanted.
5. Could you please close the window? The temperature in the room is too low.
6. She had younger children than me.
7. David, is this your pencil? You forgot it in History seminar.
8. This shoe is very small, it is hurting my foot.
9. Did she get your postcard on time?
10. Is that man Michael? - No, I think is not him, but that person looks very similar.
 Exercise 13: Review
1. What ʧyou need is to go buy ya more comfortable bed.
2. One ŋcar crashed into the wall of the school. Driver’s telephone was found on the road.
3. The pencil that ʧyou bought is broken.
y
4. This job will allow me to buy the camera I always wanted.
5. Could ʤyou please close the window? The temperature in the room is too low.
6. She had younger children than mme.
7. David, is this your pencil? You forgot it in History seminar.
w
8. This shoe is very small, it is hurting my foot.
9. Did she get ʧyour postcard on time?
10. Is that pman mMichael? - No, I think is not him, but that pperson looks very similar.
 Exercise 14: Review
Hello, my name’s ________ . I'm taking American Accent Training. There's a lot to
learn, but I hope to make it as enjoyable as possible. I should pick up on the
American intonation pattern pretty easily, although the only way to get it is to
practice all of the time. I use the up and down, or peaks and valleys, intonation
more than I used to. I've been paying attention to pitch, too. It's like walking down
a staircase. I've been talking to a lot of Americans lately, and they tell me that I'm
easier to understand. Anyway, I could go on and on, but the important thing is to
listen well and sound good. Well, what do you think? Do I?
 Exercise 14: Review
Hello, my name’s ________ . I'm taking American Accent raining. There's a lot o learn,
but I hope to make it as enjoyable as possible. I should bpick up on they American
intonation mpattern mpretty yeasily, although the yonly way to get it is to practice
all of the time. I use the yup and own, or peaks and valleys – intonation - more than
I used to. I've been mpaying attention to pitch, too. It's like walking down a staircase.
w
I've been talking to a lot of Americans lately, and they tell me that I'm easier to
w
understand. Anyway, I could ggo w on and on, but the yimportant thing is to listen
well and sound ggood. Well, what do you think? Do w I?
Linking+Intrusion Whole
paragraph