Theoretical Framework

Introduction:
To approach the subject of spelling, we have to draw a line between sounds (talked medium) and letters
(written medium). Numerous individuals regularly confound these two terms. Discourse is continuously
earlier to composing, so man, or homo loquens, started to talk some time recently he designed composing.
As people, we all learn to talk before we learn to read or write.
The connection between the two media of (speech and writing) is exceedingly complex. In the past,
lexicographers compiling the Oxford English Dictionary gave priority to composed sources (Graddol et al.,
1987, p. 183). The defense is usually that such sources are verifiable—but clearly, a recording of a radio talk
is just as verifiable as written sources (op cit). Even descriptive grammars such as the Grammar of
Contemporary English (Quirk et al., 1972) tend to be one-sided towards the kind of formal language
conventionally associated with writing (op cit). Be that as it may, numerous individuals in proficient social
orders continuously relate their talked words with the composed form and have come up with expressions
like slips of the pen saying that they are appearances of slips of the tongue.
So, we ought to emphasize here that we tend to form a one-to-one correspondence between sounds and
letters in our minds. This can be not continuously genuine, for, even though the sounds of language alter
over time, individuals keep on writing within the conventional way, and, in this way, discourse gets to be
deviant from writing. There are varying degrees of such deviation from one language to another, and a
phonetic language such as Arabic is said to be more consistent in the relationship between orthography and
sound system than, say, English.
In this chapter, the researcher introduces some terms which have a relation with the topic of the research.
The research gives brief notes about consonants according to their place of articulation, Manner of
articulation, and devoicing. Classification according to the part of the tongue. After that the spelling
representations and finally the spelling rules Then, vowels.
English Vowels
1. Front Vowels
Front vowels in English are produced with the front part of the tongue positioned close to the front of the
mouth. They are characterized by their relatively forward tongue placement. Front vowels play a significant
role in the English vowel system and contribute to the distinction between different words and word forms
(Adamson, 2019, p. 34).
Examples of front vowels in English include:
 /iː/ as in "see"
 /e/ as in "bed"
 /æ/ as in "cat"
 /i/ as in "sit"
In terms of spelling, front vowels are typically represented by specific vowel letters or combinations. For
example, the /iː/ sound is commonly represented by the letter "e" in words like "see" and "tree," while the /e/
sound is often represented by the letter "e" in words like "bed" and "pen." The /æ/ sound is commonly
represented by the letter "a" in words like "cat" and "hat."
Understanding front vowels is essential for spelling and for accurate pronunciation and intelligibility in
English. They are fundamental elements of the English vowel system and play a crucial role in
distinguishing between words and conveying meaning in speech.

2. Central Vowel
In English, central vowels are produced with the tongue positioned in the central part of the mouth. They are
neither front nor back in terms of tongue placement. Center vowels play an important role in the English
vowel system and contribute to the diversity of vowel sounds in the language (Adamson, 2019, p. 47).
The primary center vowel in English is the schwa sound represented by the symbol /ə/. The schwa sound is a
reduced vowel and is the most common vowel sound in English. It is typically found in unstressed syllables
and has a neutral, relaxed articulation.
Examples of center vowels in English include:
 /ə/ as in "about"
 /ʌ/ as in "but"
Center vowels are often characterized by reduced qualities and are associated with unstressed syllables.
They generally have a less prominent role in word stress patterns compared to front and back vowels.
Understanding center vowels is crucial for accurate pronunciation and comprehension in English. They are
common in various contexts, including function words, suffixes, and unstressed syllables. Familiarity with
center vowels helps in distinguishing between different word forms and contributes to natural and fluent
English speech and that leads to good writing.
3. Back Vowel
Back vowels in English are produced with the back part of the tongue positioned toward the back of the
mouth. They are characterized by the retraction of the tongue, creating a relatively larger space in the oral
cavity compared to front vowels. Back vowels play a significant role in the English vowel system and
contribute to the diversity of vowel sounds in the language (Adamson, 2019, p. 35).
Examples of back vowels in English include:
 /uː/ as in "moon"
 /ʊ/ as in "book"
 /ɑː/ as in "car"
 /ɒ/ as in "hot"
 /ɔː/ as in "law"
Back vowels are often characterized by their relatively "dark" or "deep" quality. They are associated with
lower frequencies of sound and can contribute to the richness and fullness of vowel sounds in speech.
In terms of spelling, back vowels are typically represented by specific vowel letters or combinations. For
example, the /uː/ sound is commonly represented by the letter "u" in words like "moon" and "true," while the
/ɔː/ sound is often represented by the letter "o" in words like "law" and "bore."
Understanding back vowels is crucial for accurate pronunciation and comprehension in English. They are
prominent elements of the English vowel system and play a vital role in distinguishing between different
words and conveying meaning in speech.
4. Diphthongs
Diphthongs are vowels where two vowel qualities can be perceived. From the point of view of length, the
diphthongs are like long vowels, but the first part of a diphthong in English is much longer and louder than
the second. The eight diphthongs are usually grouped into three types, depending on the tongue movement
involved. The first group ends with a glide towards the vowel in the center of the mouth, and are called
centering diphthongs. The second group is called closing diphthongs which move in the direction of a
quality at the front of vowel area which ends with a glide toward a higher position in the mouth. The last
group is the other type of closing diphthong which moves in the direction of a quality at the back of the
vowel area and thus adds some lip rounding. (Crystal, 2003:241)
5- Triphthongs
Triphthongs are a glide from one vowel to another and then the third, all produced rapidly and without
interruption. Those can be heard in careful pronunciation (Roach, 2009:19). Those are vowels in which three
vowel qualities can be perceived. Those are formed by adding a central glide to the closing diphthongs
(/eɪ/, /ɔɪ/, /aɪ/, /əʊ/, /aʊ/ ending with /ə/) (Crystal, 2003:239). Those are constituted a single vowel unit. There
are two types of triphthong. First, that formed by the closing diphthongs ending with /ɪ/, and the second,
which formed by the closing diphthongs ending with /ʊ/.

Consonants
Like vowels, consonants can also be better perceived by learning their sounds. A consonant sound is a
speech sound that is produced by the partial or complete obstruction of air by the lips, teeth, tongue or
throat.
Classification of Consonant Sounds:
Consonant sounds are divided into categories based on two aspects, namely,
The place of articulation – with reference to the parts of the mouth that are used to pronounce the particular
sounds.
The manner of articulation – with reference to the movement of air from the lungs and through and out of
the nose and mouth.
Place of Articulation
Bilabial – the upper lip and lower lip come in complete contact with each other. Examples /p,b,m/
Dental – the tip of the tongue touches the teeth mildly. Examples/ the
Labio-dental – the lower lip and the upper teeth come in contact with each other./v,f/
Palatal – the body of the tongue touches the hard palate./j/
Alveolar – the tip or blade of the tongue touches the alveolar ridge.
Velar – the body of the tongue comes in contact with the soft palate (also called the velum).
Glottal – the vocal cords come into contact and produce friction.
Manner of Articulation
Stop – a sound produced by the air being blocked inside the vocal tract followed by the release of air from
the mouth.
Fricative – a sound produced by positioning the mouth in a particular manner so as to partially block the air
coming out of the mouth.
Affricate – a combination of a plosive and fricative manner, in which sound is produced by the blocking of
air and finally releasing it through a partial passage.
Nasal – a sound produced when the air passes and escapes through the nose.
Lateral – a sound produced by the air escaping from the mouth and sides of the tongue.
Approximant – a sound produced when the tip of the tongue slightly touches the alveolar ridge, and the air
escapes through the gap between the tongue and the alveolar ridge.
References:
Adamson, H. D. (2019). Linguistics and English Literature: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language. Second edition. Cambridge University Press

Graddol, D., Cheshire, J., & Swann, J. (1987). Describing Language. Open University Press.
Quirk, R. et al. (1972). Grammar of Contemporary English. London: Longman.
Roach, P. (2009) English Phonetics and Phonology: A Practical Course. 4th Edition, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.

Joseph Hudson (2008). 45 sounds of Englis at Pronunciation studio Course. info@pronunciationstudio.com

https://buyjus.com BYJU’S. Consonants and Consonant Sounds in English.