Introduction to

Phonetics and
Phonology
Phonetics and phonology are the foundational fields of linguistics that study the
sounds of human language. Phonetics examines the physical production and
perception of speech sounds, while phonology investigates how these sounds
function within a language's sound system.

by 42 Sahildeep Singh
Articulatory Phonetics
1 Airflow 2 Articulator Movements
Phonetics describes how air is pushed The lips, tongue, and other speech
through the vocal tract to produce organs change position to create a wide
different sounds. range of consonants and vowels.

3 Place & Manner

Sounds are classified by where and how they are articulated, such as bilabial, alveolar, or
nasal.
Acoustic Phonetics
Frequency Intensity Duration

Sounds have a specific pitch or The loudness or amplitude of a The length of time a sound lasts
frequency that is measured in sound is measured in decibels is an important acoustic
Hertz (Hz). (dB). property.
Phonological Processes
1 Assimilation
A sound takes on features of a neighboring sound, like "green beans" becoming
"greenbeans".

2 Deletion
A sound is omitted, as in "perfect" becoming "prefect".

3 Epenthesis
An extra sound is inserted, like "film" becoming "filum".
Suprasegmental Features
Stress Tone
Certain syllables are pronounced with Pitch variations that distinguish word
greater emphasis. meanings, as in many Asian languages.

Intonation
Patterns of rising and falling pitch that convey meaning beyond the individual sounds.
Phoneme vs. Allophone

Phoneme Allophone
The smallest distinctive sound unit in a language. A variant of a phoneme that occurs in a specific
environment.
Applications of Phonetics and
Phonology
Language Learning
Helping second language learners master pronunciation.

Speech Pathology
Analyzing and treating speech disorders.

Forensics
Identifying speakers based on their unique voice patterns.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
1 Foundational
Disciplines
Phonetics and phonology
are core areas of linguistic
study.
2 Practical Applications 3 Complexity of
Speech
These fields have The production and
important real-world perception of human
implications in language speech involves intricate
teaching, speech therapy, physical, acoustic, and
and more. cognitive processes.