Sofl Library Answers To Phonetics

1
Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

UNIT 1
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INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH PHONETICS
A. Theory
# Organs of speech: inwards
Fig 1. Organs of Speech

Lips (upper and lower) / nasal cavity (khoang mi) teeth (upper and lower) alveolar ridge
(chn rng) toungue (tip, blade, front, back or root) / hard palate (ngc cng) soft palate
(ngc mm) uvula (li g) pharynx (glottis hu / hng) epiglottis (np thanh qun)
larynx (thanh qun) vocal folds (vocal cords - dy thanh) trachea (kh qun) / oesophagus
(thc qun) ( lungs).
1. Define Phonetics and Phonology?
- Phonetics is the study of speech sounds which are utilized by all human languages to represent
the meaning. It concerned with the describing the speech sounds which occur in the languages of
the world.
- Phonology is the description of the systems and patterns of sounds that occur in a language.
Phonology deals with how these speech sounds are organised into systems for individual
language.
2. What are the stages of speech chain during human communication in sounds?
Stages of speech chain are the steps in which the sounds are produced and used for
communication. These stages of speaker differ from those of listener.
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- Speaker: 3 stages
+ Psychological stage: idea is transmitted to the brain throught the 5 senses of human. It is
the process of thinking and choosing what to say.
+ Physiological stage: idea is transmitted to the brain and then to the mouth through nervous
system.
+ Physical stage: the process of producing and articulating the sounds. The mouth works to
speak out the sounds.
- Listener: such stages are simplier. Nervous system carries the sounds from the ears up to the
brain. The brain will analyse the sounds.
3. What is the difference between pulmonic egressive airstream mechanism and ingressive
airstream mechanism? What airstream mechanism do English sounds belong to?
The difference between these two mechanism is the direction of the airstream. In pulmonic
egressive mechanism, the airstream move outwards from the lung to the trachea (windpipe kh
qun) to pharynx (hng) and to the mouth, but the airstream in pulmonic ingressive mechanism
move inwards from the outside.
English sound belong to the pulmonic egresive airstream mechanism and this mechasnism is also
used in almost languages in the world.
4. What is voiced, voiceless sound? In what way(s) are voiced sounds different from voiceless
ones?
- Voiced sounds are the sounds produced by the rapid opening and closing of vocal cords. In a
voiced sound, the rapid opening and closing of vocal cords is a kind of vibration.
- Voiceless sound are the sounds made with vocal cords drawn apart so that the air can pass out
freely between them and there is no vibration.
Voiced and voiceless sounds can be distinguished according to the following criteria:
Criteria
Voiced sound
Voiceless sound
State of the vocal cords
Rapid opening and closing
Are drawn apart
The airstream from the lungs
Being obstructed by the vocal Passes out freely

cords
Vibration
Made by the rapid opening and There is no vibration

closing of the vocal cords
5. What is the difference between articulatory phonetics and acoustic phonetics?

Articulatory phonetics studies the physical processes involved in speech production while
acoustic phonetics deals with the physical properties of speech sounds (linguistically relevant
acoustic properties).
Articulatory phonetics examines:
-
The airstream mechanism: where the air used in speech starts from, and which direction it
is travelling in
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The state of the vocal cords: wherether or not the vocal cords are vibrating, which
determines voicing
The state of the velum: whether it is raised or lowered, which determines whether the
sound is oral or nasal
The place and manner of articulation: the horizontal and vertical positions of the tongue
and lips
Acoustic phonetics studies the specific and measurable effects on the air involved in the
production of the speech sound.
6. What is the difference between a vowel and a consonant in the English language? Give
example to illustrate?
Definition:
- Consonants are speech sounds produced by creating an obstruction to the airstream during the
articulation.
- Vowels are speech sounds where the airstream escapes the oral tract (organs of speech)
unobstructed.
Differences: vowel and consonant can be distinguished according to the following criteria:
Criteria
Vowel
Airstream
Escapes freely from the oral Being obstructed on the way

tract
out from the lungs
Nasal or oral
All vowels are oral sounds as Consonants may be nasal

the velum is raised while the when the velum is lowered
sounds are produced
or oral when the velum is
Eg.
/i:/, raised
/u:/,
:/,
:/,
:/;
/,
/, //, //, //, //, //
Consonant
/ Eg. /m/, /n/, // (nasal); /p/,

/ /d/, /k/, //(oral)
/
/
/
7. Classify English speech sounds?

English speech sounds can be classified according to the following criteria: voicing, state of the
velum, state of the vocal cords
- According to voicing criteria, English speech sounds can be divided into: voiced and voiceless
sounds.
Eg.
Voiced sounds such as: /b/, /v/, /d/, //, /z/, //, //
Voiceless sounds such as: /p/, /f/, /t/, /k/, /s/, //, //
- According to the state of the velum, there are nasal and oral sounds.
Eg.
Nasal sounds: /m/, /n/, //

Oral sounds: /b/, /v/, /d/, //, //, // (consonants), or //, //, //, //, //
(vowels)
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- According to the state of the vocal cords, there are vowel and consonant.
Eg.
Vowels: /i:/, /u:/, /:/, /:/, /:/; //, //, //, //, //, //, //
Consonants: /b/, /v/, /d/, //, /z/, //, //, /p/, /f/, /t/, /k/, /s/, //, //
B. Practice
1. Fill in the blanks in the following passage
There are three principal airstream mechanisms: the pulmonic airstream mechanism, the velaric
airstream mechanism and the glottalic airstream mechanism. In normal utterances in all languages
of the world, the airstream is always flowing outwards if the pulmonic egressive airstream
mechanism is involved. Stops made with this mechanism are called plosives (tc). The only
mechanism that is used in some languages to produce some sounds with inward going air and
some sounds with outward going air is the glottalic airstream mechanism. Stops made with this
mechanism acting ingressively are called implosives (ng). Stops made with this mechanism
acting egressively are called ejectives (bt). The mechanism which is used in the language to
produce sounds only with inward going air is the velaric airstream mechanism. Stops made with
this mechanism are called clicks.
2. Fill in the names of the vocal organs in the spaces provided
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UNIT 2
CONSONANTS
# Definitions:
-
Consonants are speech sounds produced by creating an obstruction to the airstream

during the articulation.
Voiced sounds are sounds produced by the rapid opening and closing of the vocal cords.
In a voiced sound, the rapid opening and closing of the vocal cords is a kind of vibration.
Voiceless sounds are sounds made with vocal cords drawn apart so that the air can pass
out freely and there is no vibration.
Fortis are consonants which are tend to be articulated with relatively strong energy. They
are voiceless sounds and usually shorten the preceeding vowel.
Eg. bat
Lenis are consonants which are tend to be articulated with relatively weak energy. They
are voiced sounds and usually lengthen the preceeding vowel.
# Criteria to classify English consonants:

-
Place of articulation
Manner of articulation
State of the velum (nasal or oral)
Position of the vocal cords (voiced or voiceless)
Force of articulation / degree of muscular tension (fortis or lenis)
!!! To descript an English consonant we should descript the following aspects:

Voicing place of articulation manner of articulation ( place of velum force of
articulation)
Eg. p: voiceless bilabial plosive ( oral fortis)
Place
Manner
Bilabia
l
Plosive
Denta
l
Fricative
Approximan
t
Labio
dental
Alveola
r
t
Lateral
Retro
flex
Platoalveolar
Velar
Glottal
h
j
Affricate
Nasal
Palatal
t
m
Table 1. English Consonants

(Voiceless sounds are on the left)
A. Theory
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1. Classify all the English plosives, providing the words containing the sounds.
English plosives are classified according to the following 3 criteria:
- According to the place of articulation: there are 3 types
+ Bilabial plosive: /p/, /b/
eg. pet, pay, big, boy
+ Alveolar plosive: /t/, /d/
eg. tape, talk, date, dog
+ Velar plosive: /k/, //
eg. key, kitchen, go, gap
- According to position of the vocal cords: voiced and voiceless

+ Voiced plosive: /p/, /t/, /k/
eg. pet, pay, tape, talk, key, kitchen
+ Voiceless plosive: /b/, /d/, //
eg. big, boy, date, dog, go, gap
- According to force of articulation:

+ Fortis plosive: /b/, /d/, //
eg. big, boy, date, dog, go, gap
+ Lenis plosive: /p/, /t/, /k/
eg. pet, pay, tape, talk, key, kitchen
2. List the bilabial consonants. For each bilabial, provide one word containing it.
There are 4 bilabial consonants in the English language: p, b, w, m
- Bilabial plosive: /p/, /b/
eg. pet, pay, big, boy
- Bilabial approximant: /w/
eg. wait, watch
- Bilabial nasal: /m/
eg. mother, meet
3. What is the distinctive feature that makes /p/ and /b/ different sounds?
/p/ and /b/ are bilabial plosive consonants, but the distinctive feature that makes them different
sounds is the voicing. /p/ is a voiceless consonant while /b/ is a voiced one. We can realize such
difference when these sounds are articulated by touching the Adams apple. When /b/ is
articulated, there is a vibration, but there is no such vibration when /p/ is pronounced.
4. According to what are English consonants classified? Give examples
English consonants are classified according to 5 criteria:
According to place of articulation:
- Bilabial: p, b, w, m
eg. pay, boy, wait, man
- Labiodental: f, v
eg. figure, velar
- Dental: ,
eg. think, this
- Alveolar: t, d, s, z, l, n
eg. toy, date, size, zoo, long, name
- Retroflex: r
eg. run, ray
- Palato-avleolar: , , t, d
fridge, jane
- Palatal: j
- Velar: k,,
- Glottal: h
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eg. shine, ship, measure, closure, watch, catch,

eg. yet, yes, yellow
eg. key, dog, king, thing
eg. house, home
According to manner of articulation:

- Plosive: p, b, t, d, k,,
eg. pay, boy, toy, date, key, dog
- Fricative: f, v, , , s, z, , , h eg. five, van, think, this, sun, zoo, shine, measure, hot
- Approximant: w, r, j
eg. wait, run, you
- Lateral: l
eg. long, later
- Affricate: t, d
eg. watch, catch, fridge, jane
- Nasal: m, n,
eg. main, nation, thing, king
According to State of the velum:

- Nasal: m, n,
eg. main, nation, thing, king
- Oral: p, b, t, d, k, , f, v, ,, s, z, ,, w, r, j, l, t, d, h,
According to State of the vocal cords:
- Voiced sounds: b, d, , v, , z, , w, r, j, l, d, m, n,
- Voiceless sounds: p, t, k, f, , s, , h, t
According to Force of articulation:
- Fortis consonants: voiceless sounds
- Lenis consonants: voiced sounds
5. What are the differences between a plosive and an affricate in English?
Criteria
Airstream
Plosive
Affricate
The airstream is stoped in the oral or

nasal cavity by the as the lips contact
or the soft palate raises forming a
velic closure
The tongue comes up to make a

contact with the alveolar ridge to form
a stop closure and this contact is then
slacken (loosen) to make a fricative.
Number of Plosive
manners
involved
The combination between plosive and

fricative
6. What is the distinction between an alveolar plosive and an alveolar fricative?

The distinction between an alveolar plosive and an alveolar fricative is the airstream: in alveolar
plosive, the soft palate is raised so that the nasal tract is blocked off, then the airstream is
completely obstructed while in an alveolar fricative, the close approximation of two articulators
caused the airstream partially obstructed and turbulent airflow is produced.
7. Classify the English fricatives according to the criteria for classification of the sounds.
Give the words containing these consonants.
English fricatives can be classified according to the following criteria:
- Accroding to the Place of articulation:
+ Labiodental fricative: f, v
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eg. fingure, fan, vapour, van
+ Dental fricative: ,
eg. think, this
+ Alveolar fricative: s, z
eg. sun, single, zoo, zero
+ Palato-avleolar fricative: ,
eg. shine, measure
+ Glottal fricative: h
eg. horse, house, hat
- According to the State of the vocal cords:

+ Voiced sounds: v, , z,
eg. van, this, zoo, measure
+ Voiceless sounds: f, , s, , h
eg. fan, think, sun, shine, hot
- According to the Force of articulation:

+ Fortis: f, , s, , h
eg. fan, think, sun, shine, hot
+ Lenis: v, , z,
eg. van, this, zoo, measure
8. What are fortis consonants and what are lenis ones?

- Fortis are consonants which are tend to be articulated with relatively strong energy. They are
voiceless sounds and usually shorten the preceeding vowel.
Eg. bat
- Lenis are consonants which are tend to be articulated with relatively weak energy. They are
voiced sounds and usually lengthen the preceeding vowel.
9. What is the main difference in articulation between a velar plosive and a bilabial plosive?
Bilabial plosive is formed by the contact between the two lips while velar plosive is formed by the
back of the tongue articulates with the soft palate (the soft palate is raised to make velar closure).
10. State basic difference between fortis consonants and its lenis counterparts?
Criteria
Fortis
Lenis
Force of articulation
Relatively strong energy
Relatively weak energy
Voicing
Voiceless
Voiced
Proceeding vowel
Shorten
Lengthen
B. Practice:
1. Describe the consonant in the word skinflint: /skinflint/
s
voiceless
alveolar
fricative
(oral
fortis)
voiceless
velar
plosive
(oral
fortis)
voiced
alveolar
nasal
voiceless
labiodental
fricative
(oral
fortis)
voiced
alveolar
lateral
(oral
lenis)
voiceless
alveolar
plosive
(oral
fortis)
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(lenis)
2. Underline:
a. The words that begin with a bilabial consonant
mat
knee
sat
bat
rat
pat
b. The words begin with a velar consonant

knot
got
lot
cot
hot
pot
c. The words begin with a labiodental consonant

fat
cat
that
mat
chat
vat
d. The words begin with a alveolar consonant

zip
nip
lip
sip
tip
dip
e. The words begin with a detal consonant

pie
guy
shy
thight thy
high
f. The words begin with palato-alveolar consonant

sigh
shy
tie
thigh thy
lie
g. The words end with a fricative

race
wreath bush bring breathe bang
rave
rouge ray
rose
rough
h. The words end with a nasal

rain
rang
dumb deaf
i. The words end with a stop (plosive)

pill
lip
lit
limb
crab
dog
hide
laugh back
j. The word begin with a lateral

nut
lull
bar
rob
one
k. The words that begin with a approximant

we
you
one
run
l. The words end with an affricate

much back
edge
ooze
3. Write the symbol that corresponds to the following phonetic descriptions. Give an English word
that contains this sound
a. voiced bilabial plosive
eg. big, ball, ban
b. voiceless alveolar fricative
eg. seven, sun, son
c. voiceless labiodental fricative
eg. fan, finger, farm
d. voiceless palato-alveolar affricate
eg. chain, watch
e. voiceless palato-alveolar fricative
eg. shine, ship
f. voiced labiodental fricative
eg. vapour, vanish
g. voiced velar plosive
eg. games, dog,
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UNIT 3
ENGLISH VOWELS
Note: - vowel with the mark : means long vowel, and also tense vowel
- beside four round vowels (u:, , :, , :), there are three neutral vowel (, :, )
and the rests are unround vowels.
# Definitions:
-
Vowels are speech sounds where the airstream escapes the vocal tract unobstructed.
Monothong is a pure vowel sound which is pronounced without changing of the position
of the organ of speech throughout the duration of the vowel articulation.
Dipthong is a complex sound consisting of two vowel elements pronounced so as to form

a single syllable. In the pronunciation of dipthong, the position of organ of speech starts in
the position of one vowel and glides gradually to the other one.
Description of English vowel:

Monothong: Height Position Shape Length Degree (of articulation).
Diphthong: Height + Pisition (1st vowel) glides to Height + Position (2nd vowel).
A. Theory
1. What is monophthong / diphthong?
- Monophthong: is a pure vowel sound which is pronounced wothout changing of the position of
the organ of speech throughtout the duration of the vowel articulation.
- Diphthong: is a complex vowel sound consisiting of two elements pronounced so as to form a
single syllable. In the pronunciation of the diphthong, the position of the organ of speech starts in
the position of the first vowel and glides to gradually to the other one.
2. What are the differences between a monophthong and a diphthong? Give example
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- Monophthong: is a pure vowel sound which is pronounced without changing in the position of
the organ of speech throughout the duration of vowel articualtion.
- Diphthong: is a complex vowel sound consisting of two elements pronounced so as to form a
single syllable. In the pronunciation of the diphthong, the position of the organ of speech starts in
the position of the first vowel and glides gradually to the other one.
The differences of monophthong and diphthong lie in the number of vowel element and the
position of the organ of speech during the articulation:
Criteria
Monophthong
Diphthong
Number of vowel element:
One
Two
Position of organ of speech
Unchange
Glides gradually from the

position of the first vowel to
the other.
Eg.
Hat /ht/ - is a Nation /nen/ - is a

monothong, a low front diphthong consisiting of
vowel.
and , mid front glides to
high front.
3. How are English monophthong classified? Give example

a. Definition
b. Classification
English monophthong can be classified according to the followings criteria:
Position of the tongue: front, central and back vowels
-
Front vowels: the front of the tongue raises towards the hard palate
:, , ,
Central vowels: the centre of the tongue raises towards the junture of the hard palate and
the soft palate
:, ,
Back vowels: the back of the tongue raises towards the soft palate
:, , , , :
The height of the tongue in the mouth: high, mid and low vowels
-
High vowels: :, , :,
Mid vowels: (), :, ,
Low vowels: , , , :
The shape of the lips: round, neutral and unround vowels

-
Round vowels: :, , ,
Neutral vowels: , :,
Unround vowels: :, , , , :
The length of the sounds: long and short vowels
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Long vowels: :, :, , :, :
Short vowels: , , , , , ,
The degree of muscular tension: tense and lax vowels

-
Tense (long) vowels: :, :, , :, :
Lax (short) vowels: , , , , , ,
4. What makes an English front vowel different from ist back counterpart? Give example
An English front vowel differs from its back counterpart is due to the position of the tounge in the
mouth or the raising part of the tongue.
In the pronunciation of an front vowel: the front of the tongue raises towards the hard palate, but
in the articulation of the back vowel the back of the tongue raises towards the soft palate.
5. List all the diphthong. How are they classified into different groups according to their
direction of glide?
a. Definition, list
There are 8 diphthongs in the English language, including: , , , , , ,
,
b. Classification
English diphthongs can be classified according to the direction of glide:
-
Diphthongs gliding to (centring group): , ,
Diphthongs gliding to (closing group): , ,
Diphthongs gliding to (closing group): ,
6. What are the differences between a vowel and a consonant in the English language? Give
example
a. Definition
- Consonants are speech sounds produced by creating an obstruction to the airstream during the
articulation.
- Vowels are speech sounds where the airstream escapes the oral tract (organ of speech)
unobstructed.
b. Differences
Criteria
Consonants
Vowels
Airstream movement:
The airstream is obstructed The airstream passes freely

during the articulation of the through the vocal track
speech sound
Voicing
Consist
of
voiced
voiceless sounds
Eg.
/p/, /b/
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and Consist of voiceless sounds

only
, ,
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B. Practice
1. Write the symbol that correponds to each of the following phonetic description and then
give an English word contaning the sound:
a. high front unround lax vowel:
bit /bt/, hit
b. mid front unround lax vowel:
bet /bt/, get
c. low front unround lax vowel:
hat //, bad
d. low back unround tense vowel: :
farm /:m/, after /:/
e. low back slightly round lax vowel:
top //, cough // (it can be )
f. mid back round tense vowel:
cot /kt/, hot/ht/, pour /p/
g. mid central neutral lax vowel:
the //, about //
h. mid central neutral tense vowel: :

i. low central lax vowel:
her /h:/ nurse /n:/

current /n/, done //
2. Underline the word that:

a. contains a diphthong:
A. peep
B. quay
C. tie
D. grease
B. utterance
C. Oxford
D. eat
B. meet
C. got
D. much
C. smooth
D. crime
C. stupid
D. swear
C. funny
D. fine
C. good
D. food
b. begins with a central vowel:

A. university
c. contains a high vowel:
A. sat
d. does not contain diphthong:

A. duration
B. station
e. contains a central low monothong:

A. superd
B. supper
f. does not contain a monophthong:

A. twice
B. headlight
g. contains a round short vowel:

A. spoon
B. understood
3. Place the member of the following vowel inventory in an appropriate place on a vowel
quadrangle: [, :, , , , , :, :, , ]
See vowels chart
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UNIT 4
INTRODUCTION TO PHONOLOGY
A. Theory
1. What is phonology?
Phonology is the description of the systems and patterna of sounds that occur in a language.
2. What is a phoneme / allophone? Prove your point of view
- Phonemes are the smallest segments of sound that can be distinguished by their contrast within
words.
(Segments: are the smallest pieces of sound that are divided from a speech)
- Allophone are phonemes derived from the same phoneme in different distribution.
Eg. stop talking /= /
[] and [=] are allophone of phoneme []
3. What are the differences between phonemic transcription and allophonic (phonetic)
transcription? Give example
- Transcription is the use of a set of symbols representing sounds to show the sounds in written
form.
There are two kinds of transcription: phonemic (broad) transcription and allophinic (phonetic or
narrow) transcription.
Criteria
Phonemic transcription
Allophonic transcription
Symbols
Uses slanting bracket
Uses square bracket
Feature
Shows different phonemes that make Shows

how
sounds
are
up word. It does not show any extra pronounced including phonetic
features, no detail of pronunciation; details (allophones)
therefore, we cant look at this
transcription to pronounce the word
Eg
Car /:/ - shows the phonemes Car /:/ - show both

involved in the word only.
phonemes and phonetic detail. The
symbol [] indicates that
phoneme [k] is aspirated.
4. What can be stated as necessary conditions for forming a minimal set? Give set of words
to illustrate
In order to form a minimal set, we must have more than two words which are different in
meaning, but they have the same number of segments and only one different segment in the same
position/distribution.
Eg.
bat //, but //, bet //

pad //, pat //, pan //
5. What is a minimal pair / set? Give example

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- Minimal pair: is a pair of words which are different in meaning, having the same number of
segments with only one different segment in the same position/distribution.
Eg. hat //, cat // - the different segment is the first one.
- Minimal set: is a set of more than two words of different meaning which have the same number
of segment and only one different segment in the same position/distribution.
Eg. bat //, but //, bet // - the different segment is the middle one.
B. Practice
1. Which of the followings is a minimal pair?
A. cater better
B. round bound
// - //
// - //
C. rock box
// - //
2. Which of the following is not a minimal pair?

A. time mine
// - //
- /:/
A. road load
// - //
- //
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B. table cable
C. teacher richer
// - //
B. back bad
/:/
C. sea saw
// - //
/:/
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UNIT 5
RULES FOR ENGLISH ALLOPHONES
A. Rules
Note: [+ voiced: voiced sound], [- voiced: voiceless sound]
[+ aspirated: aspirated], [- aspirated: unaspirated]
1. Aspiration
a. Aspirated
Symbol: []
[- voiced, + plosive] [+ aspirated] when syllable initial.
Means: voiceless plosive sounds (/p, t, k/) will be aspirated as they are the initial syllable, or when
they stand in initial position of a stress syllable.
Eg. car [:]
important [/] top []
b. Unaspirated
Symbol: [=]
[- voiced, + plosive] [- aspirated] when standing:
+ after /s/ at the beginning of the syllable; or
+ in medial or final position of a syllable
Eg. sport [=]
happy [=]
map [=]
2. Unexploded articulation
Symbol: [ ]
[- voiced, + plosive] unexploded before another [+ plosive]
Eg. act []
adapt []
looked []
3. Dentalization
Symbol: [ ]
[+ alveolar] [+ dental] before [+ dental], means that alveolar (/t, d, s, z, l, n/) will be
dentalized when it stand before a dental sounds (/,/).
Eg. eighth []
width //
4. Consonants:
[+consonantal) longer when at the end of the word.
Eg. mum [] - // is pronounced longer.
[-voiced] longer when at the end of the word.
Eg. cap
[]
cook [] - // and // are pronounced longer.
5. Devoicing
hoanguyen
16
17
Symbol: [ ]
[+ approximant] devoiced after [+ aspirated, + plosive]
Approximant (/w, r, j, l/) will be devoiced when stand after aspirated plosive.
Eg. play []
[:]
cry []
between
6. Syllabicity (forming syllable without vowel)

Symbol: [ ]
[+ nasal] [+ syllabic] when at the end of the word and after [+ obstruent] (plosive, fricative
or affricate)
Eg. chasm []
mechnism []
[+lateral] [+ syllabic] when at the end of the word and after another consonant.
Eg. channel [] metal []
7. Velarization
Symbol: [ ]
[+ lateral] velarized when after a vowel and before another consonant; or at the end of the
word.
Eg. milk []
file []
mill []
8. More front articulation

[+ velar] more front before more front vowels
Eg. key []
gap []
// and // become more front as they stand before front vowels

9. Vowel quality
a. [+vowel] longer in open syllables (no consonant after the vowel).
Eg. see [:]
key []
b. [+ vowel] longer in stressed syllable.

Eg. populate []
population []
c. [+ vowel] shorter before voiceless sounds in the same syllable.

Eg. lap []
hit [] the vowel is pronounced shorter.
d. [+ vowel] [+ nasal] before [+ nasal]

Symbol: [ ]
Eg. ban []
hoanguyen
calm [:]
bean [:]
17
18
5. [+ front vowel] [retracted] before syllable final //; or before velarized []

Eg. milk []
calory []
B. Exercises
1. Give some allophones of the phoneme /k/ that occurs in different distribution?
[] - /k/ is aspirated when it is initial syllable; or stands in initial position of stress syllable.
Eg. car [:]
can []
[=] - /k/ is unaspirated when it stands aster /s/ in the beginning syllable; or in the medial or final
position of the word.
Eg. scar [=:]
book [=]
[] - /k/ is unexploded as it stands before another plosive.

Eg. act []
cooked []
[The same is applied to other voiceless plosive (/p, t/)].

2. What happens to an English fortis plosive when they are preceded by a voiceless alveolar
fricative? Give one example for each plosive of this kind.
When an English fortis (voiceless) plosive (/p, t, k/) is preceded by a voiceless alveolar fricative
(/s/), it will be unaspirated.
Eg.
Eg.
sport [=]
happy [=]
scar [=:]
sky [=]
stop [=]
stay [=]
map [=]
3. Transcribe the word CONGRATULATION phonetically, then give the description of the
transcribed consonants.
Congratulation []
: voiceless (aspirated) velar plosive (oral fortis)
n: voiced alveolar nasal lenis
: voiced velar plosive oral lenis
: voiced retroflex approximant (glide)
: voiceless alveolar plosive oral fortis
: voiced alveolar lateral oral lenis
: voiceless palato-alveolar fricative
4. Show the differences between the underlined sounds in the following pair of words
a. wide
width
hoanguyen
The first one is longer, the f. quite sky

second is dentalized.
[ [=
// in the first word

is shorter, but // in
18
19

]
b. quick
skill
[
]
[
]
c.import
shore
[
]
[]
d. bill
plate
[
]
[p
e.health
love
[
]
[
]
] ]
/k/ in the first word

unaspirated as it stand
the final position, /k/
the second is aspirated
stands after /s/.
the second is longer
is g. good food
at [ [:
in
]
]
as
// in the first word is

a short vowel, but /:/
is a long vowel
// in the first word is h. truth true

shorten, but // in the [ [
second is longer.
:]
:]
/:/ in the first word is

shorter as standing
before voiceless sound,
but /:/ in the second
is longer
/l/ in the first word is i. kilt

led
velarized, but /l/ in the [ [
second word is devoiced
] ]
// in the first word is

velarized, but // in
the second word is
unchanged
/l/ in the first word is j. cook

dentalized, but /l/ in the [k
second
word
is
=]
unchanged
/k/ in the first word is

unaspirated, but /k/ in
the second one is
aspirated
key
[
:]
5. What do the following formulas mean? Give example for each case.
a. [+ alveolar] [+ detal] before [+ dental]
means alveolar (/, , , , , /) will be dentalized when it stands before a dental sound
(/, /).
Eg. eighth []
width //
b. [+ approximant] [- voiceless] after fortis plosive

means approximant (/, , , /) will be devoiced when it stands after fortis (voiceless)
plosive (/, , /).
Eg. play []
[:]
cry []
between
c. [+ vowels] [+ nasal] before [+ nasal]

means vowel will be nasalized as standing before a nasal sound (/, , /).
Eg. ban []
UNIT 6
calm [:]
bean [:]
ASPECTS OF CONNECTED SPEECH
A. Theory
1. What is assimilation in the English language? Give example
hoanguyen
19
20
Assimilation is a process when one sound adapts itself to the neighbouring sound so that it
becomes close to the assimilating one in one or more aspects.
Eg.
in the [ ] [ ]
right place [ ] [ ]
2. What is elision / liaision? Give example

Elision is the missing out of a consonant or vowel or both in informal spoken English or in rapid
speech in English.
Eg.
acts [] - // will be disappeared in the articualtion of the word.

looked back [ ] - // will be disappeared in the articualtion of the
word.
today [] - // is disappeared
potato [] - // is disappeared
Liaision is a phenomenon where a sound is linked to another in informal speech.
Eg.
come in []
set up []
3. What is the difference between progressive assimilation and regressive assimilation?

Prove it.
Consider a case where two words are combined, the first word ends with a single final consonant
(Cf) and the second one starts with a single initial consonant (Ci).
We have the following construction: Cf Ci
In progressive assimilation, the initial consonant (Ci) changes to become like the final consonant
(Cf) in some ways, whereas (Cf) changes to become like (Ci) in some aspects in regressive
assimilation.
Eg.
regressive assimilation:
];
good
morning
one more [ ] [ ]
progressive assimilation:
in the [ ] [ ]
4. What is the difference between elision and liaision? Prove

Elision is the missing out of the consonant or vowel or both in informal spoken or rapid speech,
whereas liaision is the linking of a sound to another in informal speech.
Eg.
today [] - // is disappeared (elision)
Eg.
come in []
set up [] (liaision)
5. Give example of liaision of consonant and vowel

Liaision is the phenomenon in which a sound is linked to another in informal speech.
Eg.
come in [] (final consonant + initial vowel)

my turn [:] (final vowel + initial consonant)
hoanguyen
20
21
6. What are the types of assimilation? Give example

a. According to the direction of change
- Regressive assimilation: Ci Cf
Eg.
good morning [ ] [ ];
one more [ ] [ ]
- Progressive assimilation: Cf Ci
Eg.
in the [ ] [ ]
b. According to the way which phonemes change

Assimilation of place of articulation:
Alveolar (/t, d, n/) + bilabial (/p, b, m/) bilabial
/t/ + /p, b, m/ /p/
]
right
place
/d/ + /p, b, m/ /b/
good boy [ ] [ ]
/n/ + /p, b, m/ /m/
ten men [ ] [ ]
Alveolar (/t, d, n/) + velar (/, /) velar

/t/ + /, / //
white coat [ ] [ ]
/d/ + /, / //
bad guy [ ] [ ]
/n/ + /, / //
one cup [ ] [ ]
Alveolar (/s, z/) + palato-alveolar (//) / palatal (//) palato-alveolar

/s/ + /, /
this year [ ] [ ];
nice shoes [ :] [ :]
/z/ + /, /
]
those shops [ ] [
Assimilation of manner of articulation:

Plosive (/t, d/) + fricative (/s, z/) / nasal (/n/) fricative / nasal
/t, d/ + /s/ /s/
that side [ ] [ ]
good song [ ] [ ]
/t, d/ + /z/ /z/
that zoo [ ] [ ]
bad zone [ ] [ ]
/t, d/ + /n/ /n/
hot night [ ] [ ]
good night [ ] [ ]
Plosive / nasal (/t, d, n/) + fricative (//) plosive / nasal

/t, d, n/ + // /t, d, n/
get them [ ] [ ]
read these [ ] [ ]
in the [ ] [ ]
Assimilation of voicing in consonant:
hoanguyen
21
22
Lenis (voiced) /, , / fortis (voiceless) /, , /

+
+ ; + ;
tomb place [ ] [ ]
bad toy [ ] [ ]
big car [ :] [ :]
Note: fortis + lenis no assimilation.
7. Types of elision:
a. Definition:
Elision is the missing out of a consonant or vowel or both in informal spoken English or in rapid
speech in English.
b. Types of elision
Consonant:
Plosive + plosive + plosive / fricative the middle plosive will disapprear
Eg. looked back [ ];
acts []
// + plosive / nasal / fricative //

Eg. last time [: ]
last song [: ]
last night [: ]
// + plosive / nasal / fricative //

Eg. left door [ ]
laft shoe [ :]
left mountain [ ]
// + nasal / lenis (voiced) plosive //

Eg. kind nurse [ :]
canned bacon [ ]
// + nasal / lenis (voiced) plosive //

Eg. skimmed milk [ ]
seemed good [: ]
Loss of // in of + consonant
Eg. lots of them
Vowel:
Fortis plosive aspirated + weak vowel /, / /, / will disappear
Eg. today []
potato []
Weak vowel (/, /) + /, , / /, , / become syllabic consonant

Eg. tonight [] delight []
8. Types of liaision:
Liaision: is the a phenomemon in which a sound is linked to another in informal speech
Final consonant + initial vowel:
Eg. come in []
Final vowel + initial vowel:
hoanguyen
22
23
Eg. my turn [:]

Final vowel + initial vowel:
Eg. the end []
Final // + initial vowel:
Eg. her own [:]
Intrusive //: letter a + vowel:
Eg. media event [:]
r
B. Practice:
1. Explain why [] is chosen for substitution for [] instead of the other sounds in the phrase
good girl when it is pronunced by native English speaker in casual speech. State the principle
for this phenomenon.
Good girl [ :] [ :]
[] is chosen for the substitution for [] because they have the same place of articulation; there
for the articulation is simplified.
Principle: alveolar + velar velar
2. Give phonetic transcription and explain changes (if any) in term of assimilation, elision or
liaision
a. this sharp pen is mine, and that pen is your
[ : , ]
[ : , ]
-
[ :] [ :]: // is assimlated into // as: alveolar + palatoalveolar palato-alveolar
[]: the linking between final consonant and initial vowel
[ ] [ ]: // is assimilated into //as: plosive + fricative

plosive
[ ] [ ]: the linking between final consonant // and

initial vowel //; the assimilation between // and //: alveolar + palatal palatal alveolar
b. ten boys meet and said good morning

[ : ]
[ : ]
-
[ ] [ ]: // is assimilated into //: alveolar + bilabial

bilabial
[:]: the linking between final consonant and initial vowel
[ ] [ ]: // is assimilated into //: plosive + fricative

fricative
[ ] [ ]: // is assimilated into //: alveolar + velar velar
hoanguyen
23
24

-
[ ] [ ]: // is assimilated into //: alveolar +

bilabial bilabial
c. she acts particularly well in the first scene

[: : :]
[: :
:]
-
[:]: the linking between final vowel and initial vowel; the elision of /t/:
plosive + plosive + fricative
[]: // is missed out as standing after a fortis (voiceless)

aspirated plosive
[]: linking between final consonant and initial vowel
[ ] [ ]: nasal + fricative nasal
[: :] [: :]: // // as it stands before fricative sound.
UNIT 7
STRESS
A. Theory
1. English word stress and its functions?
hoanguyen
24
25
a. Definition
Stress is the pronunciation of a syllable with more force than the surrounding ones, that means the
way the speakers use energy created from the lungs to make a syllable more prominent than the
others. The salience of a sound or syllable is called stress.
b. Functions
Grammatical / syntactic function:
-
Stress is used to change the word class without changing in the writing of the word. (noun
has stress on the first syllable and verb has stress on the second syllable)
Eg.
abstract [] (n) abstract [] (v)

transport [] (n) transport [] (v)
Stress is used to distinguish compound words from a free combination of words (if the
stress is on the first element compound; if stress is on both elements free combination)
Eg. whitehouse [] (compound) white house [
] (free combination)
Stress is used to indicate grammatical structure of the words

Eg.
diplomat [] (n) person who works in diplomatic field

diplomacy [] (n) skill in dealing with people
diplomatic [] (adj) concerning diplomacy
Emphasis function: stress is employed to give emphasis to word to to contrast word with
another.
Stress helps to form the intonation.
2. What is meant by prominence of a stressed syllable in English?
All stressed syllable have the one characteristic in common which is called prominence, means
that this characteristic helps to distinguish stressed syllable from unstressed one.
3. What is the nature of English word stress?
The nature of English word stress includes four factors:
-
Loudness: stressed syllable is louder than unstressed one.
Length: stressed syllable is pronounced longer than unstressed one.
Pitch: stressed syllable has higher pitch than unstressed one.
Quality of neighbouring vowel: the vowel of stressed syllable is different from the others
4. Placement of stress within word

a. Stress on simple words:
Two-syllable words:
-
Verbs:
+ Stress is marked on the second syllable if it contain a long vowel or diphthong or ends
with more than one consonants.
Eg. apply []
hoanguyen
attract []
25
26
+ Stress is on the first syllable if final syllable contains short vowel and one (or no)
consonant.
Eg. enter []
open []
+ Stress is placed on the first syllable if the final syllable contain diphthong .
Eg. follow [] borrow []
-
Adjective, adv, preposition: same rule to verbs

Exception: honest []
perfect [:]
Nouns:
+ Stress is on the first syllable if second syllable contains a short vowel

Eg. money []
product []
+ Stress is marked on second syllable if it contain long vowel or diphthong

Eg. design []
-
balloon [:]
Noun and verb with identical spelling: stress is on the first syllable if it is noun and
stress is on the second syllable if it is verb
Eg.
import [] (n) - [] (v)

export [] (n) - [] (v)
Three-syllable words:
-
Verbs:
+ Stress is placed on the middle (second) syllable if final syllable contains a short vowel or
ends with not more than one consonant.
Eg. encounter []
determine [:]
+ Stress is on the final syllable if it contains a long vowel or diphthong or ends with more
than one consonant.
Eg. recommend []
[]
-
entertain
Nouns and Adjectives:
+ Stress is marked on middle (second) syllable if: final syllable contains a short vowel or
; middle syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong or ends with more than one
consonant.
Eg. disaster [:]
[]
potato []
discover
convenient [:]
+ Stress is on the first syllable if: final syllable contains a short vowel and the middle
syllable contains a short vowel and ends with not more than one consonant.
Eg. quantity [] cinema []
[]
opportune [:]
custody
generous []
+ If final syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong or end with more than one consonant,
stress is usually on the first syllable and the final syllable is said to have secondary
stress.
hoanguyen
26
27
Eg. entellect []
marigold []
alkali
[]
b. Stress in complex words:

Verbs ending in -ate:
-
Two-syllable verb: stress is on the second syllable

Eg. donate []
relate []
Three-syllable verbs: stress is on the first syllable
Eg. dominate []
[]
-
calculate
More than three syllables: stress is on the sencond one
Eg. investigate []
[]
communicate
anticipate
Adjective ending in -ative:

-
Two and three-syllable adj: stress is on the first syllable

Eg. attractive []
More than three syllable: stress is on the original place

Eg. communicative [:]
Suffixes carrying primary stress themselves (secondary stress is on the first syllable):
-
-ee: employee [:]
transferee [::]
-eer: engineer []
volunteer []
-ese: vietnamese [::]
-ette: cigarette []
-esque: picturesque []
japanese [:]
Suffixes that do not affect stress placement:

-
-able: comfort [] comfortable []
-age: marry []
marriage []
-al: approve [:]
approval [:]
-en: dark [:]
darken [:]
-ful: wonder []
wonderful []
-ing: amaze []
amazing []
-ish: book []
bookish [] (for Adjs or Vs with more
than one syllable: stress is always on the syllable preceding -ish eg.
demolish
[]
-like: bird [:]
birdlike [:]
-less: power []
powerless []
-ly: careful []
-ment: punish []
-ness: homeless []
hoanguyen
carefully []
punishment []
homelessness []
27
28
-ous: poison []
poisonous []
-fy: glory []
glorify []
-wise: clock []
clockwise []
-y (Adjs or Ns): fun []
funny []
Suffixes that influence the stem (attract stress to the syllable preceeding them):
- -enous: advantage [:]
[]
advantageous
-graphy: photo [] photography []
-ial: adverb [:]
-ic: diplomat []
diplomatic []
-ion: graduate []
graduation []
-ious: injure []
ambitious []
injurious []
-ty: equal [:]
equality [:]
-ive: impulse []
impulsive []
adverbial [:]
Suffixes: -ance, -ant and -ary

-
Single-syllable words: stress is on the stem
More than one syllable stem: stress is on one of them (use the rules above)
+ If final syllable is strong (containing long vowel or diphthong): it has stress

Eg. importance []
+ Otherwise (containing short vowel), stress is on the syllable preceding the final one.
Eg. inheritance []
Prefixes: stress in words with prefixes is governed bu the same rules as those for words
without prefixes.
c. Stress on compound words
Compounds = N + N: stress is on the first element
Eg.
typewriter []
newspaper [:]
suitcase
[:]
Compound = Adj + N_ed / Compound = Number + N: stress is on the final element

Eg.
bad-tempered []
]
half-timbered
[:
first-classs [::]
Compounds functioning as adverbs: stress is on final element
Eg.
North-East [:]
[:]
downstream
Compounds functioning as verbs and having an adverbial first element (the first element is
adv): stress is on final element
Eg.
hoanguyen
back-pedal [] up-grade []
28
29
(Note: bad-tempered []
[ :])
but
bad-tempered
teacher
d. Word-class pair
Two words (two-syllable) with identical spelling, one of them is V and the other is either a N or
an Adj:
-
If stress is on the second syllable: it is V
If stress is on the first syllable: it is N or Adj
Eg.
abstract [] (Adj)
[] (V)
contract [] (N)
abstract
contract [] (V)
B. Practice:
1. Mark the stress on the words below:
a. optimistic []
b.
development
[]
c. autonomous []
d.
expectation
[]
e.
representation f. tragedy []
[]
g. freedom [:]
h.
championship
[]
2. Work out the rule for stress placement from the examples below:
a.
possibility
[]
Suffix -ty attracts stress to the syllable

preceding it.
capacity []
b.
record [] (N)
record [] (V)
Word-class pair: Noun has stress on the

first syllable while Verb has stress on the
final syllable.
3. Mark the stress on the following compounds and then work out the rule
-
blacksmith []: Compound = N+ N stress on the first element
walking-stick []: free combination of words
non-government []: Stress on words with prefix is based

on the rules for those without prefix
- hot-tempered []: Compound = Adj + N_ed stress is on the final

element
hoanguyen
29
30
UNIT 8
INTONATION
A. Theory
1. English intonation and its function?
a. Definition
When speaking, people generally raise the pitch of their voice forming pitch pattern. They also
give syllable in their utterances greater degree of loudness and change their speech rhythm. These
phenomena are called intonation. In other words, intonation is the raises and falls in which level
or pattern of pitch change.
b. Functions
-
Attitudinal function: Intonation enables us to express emotions and attitudes as we

speak, and adds special meaning to spoken language.
Accentual function: Intonation helps to produce the effect of prominence on syllables

that need to be perceived as stressed.
Grammatical function: The listener is better able to recognise the grammar and syntactic
structure of what is being said byusing information contained in the intonation.
Discourse funtions: Intonation can signal to the listener what is to be taken as new
information and what is already given
2. What are the basic tunes in English intonation and their uses?
Falling tune (intonation):
-
Uses:
+ In statement
+ In imparative sentence (cu mnh lnh khng c ch ng)
+ Wh-question
-
Rules:
+ The voice decends step-wise on each stressed syllable. Unstressed syllables are on the
same level at the preceding stressed syllable.
+ To avoid monotomy, speaker can make his voice used of the convenience of stressed
syllable, but not as high as stressed syllable
+ For long statement, break them into different tunes.
Eg.
He goes to the cinema with her.
hoanguyen
30
31
Raising tune (intonation):

-
Uses:
+ Yes / No question
+ Imparative as request or statement as remark of emotion
-
Rule: the voice ascends step-wise at each stress syllable ans then rises.
(Note: Tr ng t trong cu hi Yes/No vn c stress)

Eg.
Did you break the vase?
Sustained tune: the combination of falling and raising tunes

Uses:
-
Clause: Subordinate clause: raising tune + Main clause: falling tune

Eg. When he came, I asked him to wait
Main clause: falling tune + Adv phrase: raising tune

Eg. You can ask me, if necessary
Tag question:
+ Imply answer (agreement): statement: falling tune + tag: falling tune

Eg. Its a nice day, isnt it?

+ Ask for information: statement: falling tune + tag: raising tune
Eg. Its a nice day, isnt it?

3. Form of intonation
a. Definition
-
Tone-unit: is a unit generally greater in size than the syllable is needed to analyze the
intonation.
Tonic syllable: is a syllable which carries a tone will be called tonic syllable. Tonic
syllable has a higher degree of prominence.
hoanguyen
31
32
b. Structure of the tone unit

TONE-UNIT = Prehead (PH) + Head (H) + Tone Syllable (TS) + Tail
-
Prehead: all stressed syllable before the first stressed syllable
Head: extends from the first stressed syllable up to the TS (not including TS)
Tonic Syllable: main stressed syllable on which pitch movement begins
Tail: the remained part (all unstressed syllable after TS)

Eg.
I have gone to the zoo.

PH
TS
Im talking to a student now.

PH
TS Tail
B. Practice
Mark the possible intonation for the following:
a. Have you been to Marys wedding party? (raising tune Yes/No question)
_
-
b. You must take him home (falling tune imperative)
c. Get on with your dinner (falling tune imperative)
d. Shall I bring some sandwitches for you, too? (raising tune)
e. Please sit down (falling tune imperative)
f. If you like, Ill send the car for you (if-clause: raising tune + main clause: falling
tune)
hoanguyen
32

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1

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH PHONETICS

Fig 1. Organs of Speech

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

State of the vocal cords

Rapid opening and closing

Are drawn apart

The airstream from the lungs

Being obstructed by the vocal Passes out freely

Made by the rapid opening and There is no vibration

5. What is the difference between articulatory phonetics and acoustic phonetics?

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

Escapes freely from the oral Being obstructed on the way

All vowels are oral sounds as Consonants may be nasal

/ Eg. /m/, /n/, // (nasal); /p/,

7. Classify English speech sounds?

Nasal sounds: /m/, /n/, //

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

Consonants are speech sounds produced by creating an obstruction to the airstream

# Criteria to classify English consonants:

State of the velum (nasal or oral)

Position of the vocal cords (voiced or voiceless)

Force of articulation / degree of muscular tension (fortis or lenis)

!!! To descript an English consonant we should descript the following aspects:

Table 1. English Consonants

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

eg. pet, pay, big, boy

+ Alveolar plosive: /t/, /d/

eg. tape, talk, date, dog

+ Velar plosive: /k/, //

eg. key, kitchen, go, gap

- According to position of the vocal cords: voiced and voiceless

eg. pet, pay, tape, talk, key, kitchen

+ Voiceless plosive: /b/, /d/, //

eg. big, boy, date, dog, go, gap

- According to force of articulation:

eg. big, boy, date, dog, go, gap

+ Lenis plosive: /p/, /t/, /k/

eg. pet, pay, tape, talk, key, kitchen

eg. pet, pay, big, boy

- Bilabial approximant: /w/

eg. wait, watch

- Bilabial nasal: /m/

eg. mother, meet

eg. pay, boy, wait, man

eg. figure, velar

eg. think, this

eg. toy, date, size, zoo, long, name

eg. run, ray

eg. shine, ship, measure, closure, watch, catch,

Answers to Phonetics and Phonology

According to manner of articulation:

eg. pay, boy, toy, date, key, dog

eg. wait, run, you

eg. long, later

eg. watch, catch, fridge, jane

eg. main, nation, thing, king

According to State of the velum:

eg. main, nation, thing, king

The airstream is stoped in the oral or

The tongue comes up to make a