Stylistic modifications of sounds

English vowels in connected speech

The articulation of English vowels is adapted to that of consonants only to a very slight extent. To a Russian, they do not seem to change at all in connected speech compared with Russian vowels, which are strongly modified by consonants.

In English we can speak about the quantitative and qualitative modification of vowels. The quantitative modification is the shortening of the vowel length when it occurs in an unstressed position (as in ˈwindow, ˈphoneme, etc) or before a voiceless consonant (as in heat, past, etc.).

Qualitative modification of most vowels occurs in unstressed positions. In these cases the quality of the vowel is reduced to the neutral sound as in statesman [ˈsteɪtsmən], economic [ˌi:kəˈnɒmɪk].

In rapid colloquial speech elision or complete omission of the unstressed vowel can take place as in perhaps [pʰˈhæps], today [tʰˈdeɪ], correct [kˈrekt].

We have viewed the sound modifications mostly within the norm of English sound system, but without any special attention to their stylistic distinctions. However the number and degree of sound modifications depend not only on linguistic factors (such as the neighbouring sounds and distribution of sounds in connected speech) but on extra linguistic ones as well.

Stylistic oppositions are usually observed in the two large marginal types of pronunciation - formal and informal. Formal speech suggests unemotional information on the part of the speaker. It is characterised by careful articulation and relatively slow speed. Informal speech implies everyday conversation; it isrelaxed and ratherrapid and is characterized by the use of simplified sound forms. The character of sound modifications in relation to situational factors of speech communication is only beginning to be the object of thorough instrumental analysis.

One of the most important factors that results in the increasednumber of sound modifications is the character of relationship between the speaker and the listener and the degree of formality in their discourse. The other extra linguistic factors that determinethe degree of sound modifications are the degree of preparedness, the form of communication (a monologue or a dialogue), the number of participants, etc. Native speakers usually don’t have any difficulties in understanding rapid casual speech though sounds simplifications are not registered in the listener’s mind and he/she is not usually aware of the changes since they do not affect the meaning.

Here are some examples of sound simplifications typical of relaxed casual speech:

· most vowels in unstressed positions are neutralized, especially in grammatical words: because [bɪkəz], according to [əˈkədɪη], have [əv];

· the diphthongoids [i:] and [u:] become diphthongs and then monophthongs: believe [bəˈlɪv], few [fiʊ];

· diphthongs are monophthongized and then might undergo qualitative reduction as well: where [wɛ], really [ˈrɛlɪ], now they [ˈna ðe] – [ˈnʌ ðə];

· vowel elision is very frequent: it’s [ts], different [ˈdɪfr(ə)nt], phonetics [ˈfnetɪks];

· the degree of voicing or devoicing of consonants increases and ends with the elision of the sound: must be [mʌst bi - mʌst b^pi - mʌst pi - mʌs pi];

· the glottal stop is often observed before the modified plosive consonant: Great Britain [ˈgreɪʔ ˈp^brɪtn], couldn’t come [ˈkʊdηʔ ˈkʌm];

· the palatal [j] affects the manner of articulation of the preceding [t-d] and [s-z]: as you like [əʒ u ˈlaɪk], last year [ˈla:sʧˈjɪə], student [ˈsʧu:dnt];

· there is a strong tendency for elision of consonants: and the [ən ðə], a box of matches [əˈbɒks əˈmæʧəz].

It is clear that there is a great variety in the way sounds are pronounced in a speech chain. Most phoneticians agree that it would not be practical or useful to teach all learners of English to produce these extreme cases of sound modifications, but it is important that learners of English are made aware of the problems that they will meet in listening to colloquial casual speech.

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