The shape of English Words-Segmentals and Supra-Segmentals Claudia Petrescu

The Shape of English Words English allows a wide variety of syllable types: See [siy] CV –open syllable Sit [sit] CVC - closed syllable Spit [spit] CCVC - begins with a consonant cluster = initial cluster [sp] Spits [spits] CCVCC - ends with a consonant cluster = final cluster Sprint [sprint] CCCVCC

Examples of syllable types in other languages (1) Japanese – CV-CV-CV-CV e.g. ha = tooth - >CV; naka = centre -> CV-CV wakarimasu = (I) understand -> CV-CV-CV-CV-CV Problem: difficulties pronouncing closed syllables - add a vowel to the end of a closed syllable e.g. si (CV) to(CV) instead of sit

Examples of syllable types in other languages (2) 2) Italian – closed syllables do not occur at the end of a word Problem: add a vowel to words which end with closed syllables e.g. big – ‘bigə’

Examples of syllable types in other languages (2) 3) Cantonese and Vietnamese – only /p/, /t/, /k/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ are permitted as the final sound Problem: bad – might be pronounced as bat might insert a vowel (ə) - badə

Consonant Clusters Are the following real English words? Blick – bnick in English consonant clusters are limited to certain combinations in initial and final positions (/n/ can only be preceded by /s/ in initial position; Russian - /kn/; French - /pn/) Differences between English and other languages lead to ss.’ inability to produce many of the clusters and might cause incomprehensibility

Learner Difficulties with Consonant Clusters (1) Learners try to simplify the clusters Inserting vowels between consonants Spanish – insert /e/ to the initial /s/ because /s/ does not occur in initial position; ‘estreet’, ‘espeak’ Japanese – insert a vowel between each consonant of the cluster (no consonant clusters); street – ‘sutorito’ Arabic – no initial three-consonant clusters; street – ‘sitreet’ or ‘istreet’

Learner Difficulties with Consonant Clusters (2) 2) Deleting vowels between consonants Cantonese and Vietnamese – no consonant clusters – tend to delete one of the consonants e.g. CCVC green - would be pronounced as CVC geen CVCC past – would be pronounced as CVC pat or even pa

Word and Sentence Stress Stress = involves making vowels longer and louder Schwa /ə/ (mid central vowel) Teaching schwa is crucial The most frequently occurring vowel sound in English Generally,unstressed syllables are pronounced as schwa e.g. Canada – Canadian photograph - photography drama – dramatic democrat - democracy

Major and Minor Stress List A List B List C accident addition athlete calendar diploma contact Elephant completion boycott instrument proportion substitute oxygen opinion acrobat vegetable conclusion celebrate telephone

Placement of Word Stress (1) Two-syllable words More likely on the 1st syllable if a noun (>90%), and 2nd if a verb (>60%) e.g. a. The unhappy customer may insult the manager. b. That’s an insult.

Placement of Word Stress (2) Three-syllable words Usually on the 1st or 2nd syllable List A List B List C instrument commercial artichoke calendar vanilla hurricane curious develop appetite sentiment astonish crocodile

Placement of Word Stress (3) Compounds The 1st. word receives major stress and the 2nd minor stress Airplane Bedtime Eyelid Haircut Hair-style Gold mine

Placement of Word Stress (4) Adjective-noun phrases That’s a black board. (a board that is black) He works in a green house. (a house that is green) I saw a black bird. (a bird that is black) Adjective-noun compounds That’s a blackboard. (a board for writing on) He works in a greenhouse. (a place to grow plants) I saw a blackbird. (a kind of bird)