The English language, in general, and in the particular case its phonetics, has a number of features that make the language unique. One of the features is the presence of sonorant sounds in the language, they are also called sonants.
The English language is quite rich in sonants, but first you need to understand what a sonorant sound is.
There are two types of sounds in a language: consonants and vowels. Vowel sounds are formed with the help of musical tone (everyone knows that vowels can be sung), and the formation of consonants mainly involves noise.
If we are talking about sonorous sounds in English, then this rule is not entirely true, since they are characterized by a predominance of musical tone and noise suppression, but at the same time these sounds do not belong to vowels.
The second feature of English speech sonants is the fact that they do not have a pair in terms of voicedness and deafness. Sonorant sounds are divided into voiceless and voiced, but they are not paired.
Table of sonorant sounds in English
Characteristics of sonorous sounds in the English language:
- English sonorant sound "ŋ"- a back-lingual sound that belongs to the class of voiced sounds. For Russian speakers this is a problematic sound, since there is no analogue in their native language.
- English sonorant sound "l"- anterior lingual. It is also a representative of voiced sounds.
- English sonorant sound "n"- anterior lingual nasal sound. It also refers to voiced sounds.
- English sonorant sound "m"— this sound is labial-nasal in place of formation, and also belongs to the voiced sounds.
- English sonorant sound "j"" is the middle language sound of the English language.
- English sonorant sound "r"- according to the place of formation, it is anterior lingual.
- English sonorant sound "w"- This is a labial-medial sound.
How to pronounce sonorous sounds correctly?
In order to correctly produce sonorous sounds in English, and they sound beautiful and correct, it is necessary to understand the mechanism, that is, how the speech apparatus works in the process of producing sound, how the air flow passes and where it is directed.
It is necessary to constantly monitor the position of the tongue, remember which parts of the speech apparatus should be active, and how to make efforts to extract the desired sound:
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It is this that causes many problems for Russian-speaking people, since there is no similar sound in Russian phonetics and the speech apparatus is not able to pronounce it. Lip work is very important point when pronouncing this sound.
Initially, the lips are connected, then they open slightly and stretch forward somewhat, rounding at the same time. The air movement affects the lips and vibration should be felt. The back of the tongue directs the air that comes from the lungs, so it must be raised to the top, but not completely block the path of air. The main mistake is that the row of upper teeth touches the lower lip; this is a serious mistake that prevents the sound from being pronounced correctly.
- To pronounce a sound, it is necessary to relax the speech apparatus; there should be no tension, since the sound itself is quite weak and short. In this case, the tongue must be relaxed and lowered as much as possible, slightly pressed to the bottom.
- The sound is quite complex, since it is necessary to maintain the correct position of the tongue, lips and at the same time monitor the flow of air that should flow through the nose. The soft part of the palate lowers slightly, which allows the air to split into two streams and pass partially through the nasal cavity.
- English sonorant sound "ŋ". This sound is called posterior lingual, which means that the back of the tongue is raised to the palate, but not the entire tongue, but only this part. The front of the tongue should be slightly lowered to the bottom. The sound is slightly drawn out when pronounced. It's a bit like pronouncing the Russian "m" sound with your mouth open.
- The vocal cords actively work when producing this sound. When the sound is pronounced, it stretches out a little towards the end. The tongue must be positioned so that its tip is on the alveoli. In the process, the air passes through the nose, in order for this to happen, you need to lower the soft palate a little.
- English sonorant sound "l" pronounced using the vocal cords. The position of the tongue should be such that air can pass between the side of the tongue and the palate, that is, the edges of the tongue seem to fall slightly down. The edge of the tongue should touch the alveoli, while the back part may be slightly elevated towards the palate.
- To extract this sound correctly, you need to open your mouth slightly. The tongue must be fixed in one position so that it remains motionless all the time. The front of the tongue touches the back of the alveoli, then the entire tongue should be flat. It is necessary to ensure that the tongue does not vibrate or hit the alveoli, otherwise the sound will be incorrect.
Automation of sonorous sounds in English
To improve the pronunciation of sonorous sounds, practice is necessary, only it can help make the sounds sound natural and correct:
- It is necessary to listen as much as possible to the correct English speech, to memorize by ear the correct sound of a particular sound, and then work on the technique of pronunciation. It is best if, when listening, you press pause at short intervals and try to repeat words containing sonorant sounds.
- It is necessary to train the technique and constantly monitor the functioning of the speech apparatus. Maintaining the position of the tongue or palate is very important aspect phonetics. Until you achieve clarity and understanding of how the air moves and where the tip of the tongue is, the sound will not be pronounced correctly.
- Regular exercises to improve speech. This could be pronunciation of similar pairs of words or tongue twisters. This is a great way to train speech and improve correct and clear pronunciation.
Words with sonorant sounds in English
Words with sonorant sounds large number, to practice their pronunciation, use tongue twisters, this way the practice will be more interesting and fun, which will allow you to immediately practice one sound in different words:
- English sonorant sound "ŋ".
The English king is going to conquer Hungary,
The Hungarian king is going to conquer England.
If the English king wasn't going to conquer Hungary,
Would the Hungarian king be going to conquer England?
- English sonorant sound "l".
A lass lays lacy lingerie up in lime,
A laundress lays lawny lingerie up in lily,
A lady-help lays linen lingerie up in lilac.
What lingerie does a landlady lay up in lavender?
- English sonorant sound "n".
Ninety nice nestlings nestle in nine nests,
Nine nice nestlings nestled in ninety nests.
If ninety nice nestlings didn’t nestle in nine nests,
Would nine nice nestlings nestle in ninety nests?
- English sonorant sound "m".
A marine map-maker must mark on maps
Much more moles, mulls and marinas.
A martial map-maker must mark on maps
Much more marshes, meadows and massives.
- English sonorant sound "j".
Yankee yachtsmen's yachts yaw for one yard,
Yakut yachtsmen’s yachts yaw for two yards.
If Yankee yachtsmen's yachts didn't yaw for one yard,
Could Yakut yachtsmen’s yachts yaw for two yards?
- English sonorant sound "r".
Rose Reed replants red roses,
And the red roses ramp around a rail.
If Rose Reed didn't replant the red roses,
Would the red roses ramp around the rail?
- English sonorant sound "w".
We wear woolen wear in winter,
While we wear waterproofs in wet weather.
Why do we wear woolen wear in winter,
While we wear waterproofs in wet weather?
Phonetics- this is a branch of the science of language in which sounds and their alternations are studied, as well as stress, intonation, and syllable division.
Graphics is a branch of the science of language in which the designs of the letters of the alphabet and their relationship with the sounds of speech are studied.
Modern Russian alphabet consists of 33 letters, 10 of which are created to indicate vowel sounds and are called vowels accordingly. 21 consonant letters are used to represent consonant sounds. In addition, in modern Russian language there are two letters that are no sounds are not indicated: ъ(hard symbol), b(soft symbol).
Vowels and consonants
The sounds of speech in writing are square brackets. This is a transcription. In transcription, it is not customary to write lowercase letters and use punctuation marks. See carefully: Rules for Russian transcription at school.
All sounds of the Russian language are divided into vowels and consonants.
1. Vowel sounds- these are sounds that are formed with the participation of the voice. There are 6 of them in the Russian language: [a], [e], [i], [o], [u], [s].
2. Consonants- these are sounds that are formed with the participation of voice and noise or only noise.
A) Consonant sounds are divided into hard and soft. Most of the hard and soft consonants form pairs according to hardness-softness: [b] - [b"], [c] - [c"], [g] - [g"], [d] - [d"], [z] - [z"], [j] - [k"], [l] - [l"], [m] - [m"], [n] - [n"], [p] - [p"], [p] - [p"], [s] - [s"], [t] - [t"], [f] - [f"], [x] - [x"] (the apostrophe at the top right indicates softness consonant sound). For example, bow - [bow] and hatch - [l "uk].
b) Some consonant sounds do not have correlative pairs, however, hardness-softness, in other words, there are unpaired hard consonants[zh], [w], [ts] (i.e. they are always only solid) and unpaired soft consonants[w"], [th], [h] (i.e. they are always only soft).
Notes:
V) Consonant sounds formed with the participation of voice and noise are called booming(for example, [d], [d"], [z], [z"], etc.); in this case, only noise participates in the formation of sounds, then such sounds are called deaf consonants (for example, [t], [t"], [s], [s"], etc.). Most of the voiceless and voiceless consonants in the Russian language form voiced-voiceless pairs: [b] - [p], [b"] - [p"], [c] - [f], [v"] - [f"], [g] - [k], [g"] - [k"], [d] - [t], [d"] - [t"], [z] - [s], [z"] - [s"], [g] - [w]. Wed: beat - drink, year - cat, live - sew.
G) The sounds [th], [l], [l"], [m], |m"], [n], [n"], [r], [r"] do not form a correlative pair with voiceless consonants, as follows, they are unpaired echoing(unpaired echoing consonants are also called sonorous, these are sounds in the formation of which both voice and noise participate). Conversely, voiceless consonants that do not form pairs with voiced consonants are unpaired deaf. These are the sounds [h], [ts], [x], [x"].
3. In a stream of speech, the sound of 1 sound can be likened to the sound of another sound. This phenomenon is called assimilation. So, in the word life, the sound [z], standing next to the soft [n"], also softens, and we get the sound [z"]. Therefore, the pronunciation of the word life written like this: [zhyz "n"]. Sound convergence can also occur in sounds that are paired in terms of sonority and deafness. Thus, booming consonants in the position before the voiceless ones and at the end of the word are similar in sound to paired voiceless ones. As it should happen stun consonants. For example, a boat is a lo[t]ka, a parable is a jump[s]ka, a cart is a vo[s]. The opposite phenomenon may also occur, when voiceless consonants in the position before voiced ones also become booming, in other words misspoke. For example, mowing is ko[z"]ba, request is about [z"]ba.
Indication of softness of consonants in writing
In the Russian language, the softness of consonants is indicated by the following methods:
1. Using a letterb(soft symbol) at the end of a word and in the middle between consonants: usefulness - [pol"za], elk - [los"], etc.
Note. The soft symbol does not indicate softness of consonants in the following cases:
a) in this case serves to separate consonants, the 2nd of which th(yot): leaves - lis[t"ya], be-lie - be[l"yo];
b) to differentiate grammatical categories: rye (3 rounds, liquid form) - knife (2 rounds, small size);
c) to distinguish the forms of words (after hissing ones): read (2 sheets, singular), cut (form imperative mood), assist ( indefinite form verb-la), also adverb: gallop, supine.
2. By means of lettersAnd,e, e, yu, I, indicating the softness of the previous consonant sound and conveying vowel sounds [i], [e], [o], [u], [a]: forest - [l "es", honey - [m "ot", lil - [l"il], hatch - [l"uk], crumpled - [m"al].
3. Using the following soft consonants: cog - [v"in"t"ik], plum - [s"l"iva].
Sound meaning of letters e, e, yu, i
1. The letters e, ё, yu, i can meantwo sounds: [ye], [yo], [yu], [ya]. This happens in the following cases:
In addition, after the separation b the letter will represent two sounds And: nightingales - nightingale [yi].
2. The letters e, e, yu, i indicate the softness of the preceding consonant in the position after consonants, paired in hardness-softness: fur - [m"eh], carried - [n"os], hatch - [l"uk], crumpled - [m"al].
Memo:
Phonetic analysis of the word
Phonetic analysis of a word is an analysis of a word, which consists of characterizing syllable structure And sound composition of the word; phonetic analysis of a word implies elements of graphic analysis. Word for phonetic analysis in school textbooks it is indicated by the number 1: for example, earth 1 .
When conducting a phonetic analysis of a word, you must definitely pronounce the word out loud. You cannot automatically convert alphabetic notation into audio, this leads to errors. It is necessary to keep in mind that it is not the letters that are characterized, but the sounds of the word.
Needs to be done from time to time phonetic recording of an entire sentence or text. See more about this: Sentence transcription standards.
The order of phonetic analysis of a word (according to school tradition):
1. Write it down given word, divide it into syllables, orally indicate the number of syllables.
2. Put emphasis on the word.
3. Write down the phonetic transcription of the word (we write the word in letters in a column, opposite each letter we write the sound in square brackets).
4. Describe the sounds (in front of each sound we put a dash and write its properties, separating them with commas):
5. Indicate the number of sounds and letters.
Standards for phonetic parsing of words(baseline)
Earth - earth
z[z"] - consonant, soft, booming
e[i] - vowel, unstressed
m [m] - consonant, hard, booming
l [l "] - consonant, soft, booming
e[e] - vowel, stressed
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5 letters, 5 sounds
They turn black - they turn black
h[h] - consonant, soft, deaf
e[i] - vowel, unstressed
r[r] - consonant, hard, booming
n[n"] - consonant, soft, booming
e[e] - vowel, stressed
yu[y] - consonant, soft, booming
[u] - vowel, unstressed
t[t] - consonant, hard, deaf.
-----------
7 letters, 8 sounds
See carefully: Rules of phonetic transcription for schoolchildren studying the Russian language in depth.
Additionally:
Sonorant consonants
§ 20. To describe some phonetic phenomena, they distinguish sonorous consonants (sonants). In Russian these are the sounds [l], [l"], [r], [r"], [m], [m"], [n], [n"], [j], [i] (the remaining consonants are called noisy).
Sonorant consonants differ from noisy consonants not only in articulatory, but also in acoustic and phonological characteristics (see below § 65, 157).
From an articulatory point of view, sonorant consonants occupy an intermediate position between vowels and noisy consonants. This manifests itself in the following:
when articulating nasal consonants in the vocal tract, a barrier is created for the passage of air and at the same time conditions are created that prevent the occurrence of noise: a passage into the nasal cavity opens;
when articulating the lateral ones, the lateral edges of the tongue are lowered and passages are created through which air bypasses the barrier created in the central part of the vocal tract;
when articulating trembling, a barrier is formed at such short time that its violation does not cause noise;
a special type of sonorant consonants is formed when a narrowing of the approximant type is created in the vocal tract - for example, [i] (the same narrowing is created in the lateral region when pronouncing [l], [l’]) 23.
The consonants [р], [р"], [л], [л"] are united by the term " smooth"(liquids).
Additional articulation
§ 21. Simultaneously with the main articulation of sound, additional articulation can be carried out. In the Russian language, additional articulations are characteristic primarily of consonant sounds 24. Additional consonantal articulation differs from the main degree of narrowing in the vocal tract. At the site of additional articulation, the narrowing is less than at the site of the main one (usually it is the same as during the articulation of approximant or vowels). There are three types of additional articulations in the Russian language:
labialization– rounding of the lips (this type of articulation characterizes consonants in the position before the vowels [y] and [o]);
palatalization– displacement of the body of the tongue forward and upward in the direction of the hard palate;
velarization– displacement of the body of the tongue back and upward in the direction of the soft palate (see Fig. 47.48 in Appendix A).
In Russian, additional articulation characterizes most consonants. All soft consonants, except [j] and [i], are palatalized, and all hard consonants, except for the velars [k], [g], [x], are velarized. The consonant [j] cannot be palatalized, since the place of its main articulation coincides with the place of additional articulation of palatalization, and the consonants [k], [g], [x] cannot be velarized, since the place of their main articulation coincides with the place of additional articulation velarization. Thus, from an articulatory point of view, there are no unpaired consonants 25 in terms of hardness/softness (except for [j] and [i]).
Non-palatalized and non-velarized consonants are possible in Russian in consonantal combinations in the position before a soft consonant ( With neg, h make-up etc.). Such consonants, as well as consonants with a slight degree of palatalization, are called semi-soft.
The terms “hard” and “soft” consonant are not completely identical to the articulatory terms “velarized” and “palatalized” - thus, non-velarized [k], [g], [x] in SLSL are, nevertheless, hard consonants, and non-palatalized [ j] – soft.
The degree of palatalization and velarization may vary as in different languages, and in one language. For example, palatalization in dental consonants in the Russian language is more pronounced than in labial consonants, and the Russians [l], [sh], and [zh] are characterized by the highest degree of velarization.
The presence of additional articulation (especially in a place close to the main one) can lead to a change in the place and method of the main articulation. When soft [t"], [d"], [n"] and especially [l"] are formed, the articulatory focus shifts back compared to the corresponding hard ones (so [l"] in the pronunciation of most SRL speakers is, strictly speaking, not dental, but alveolar); with articulation, [z"], on the contrary, the articulatory focus shifts forward compared to the corresponding hard ones. The place of formation changes most significantly in palatalized [k’], [g’], [x’]: unlike the posterior palatal [k], [g], [x], they are mid-palatal, while remaining posterior lingual.
The change in the method of formation during palatalization is most clearly manifested in dental consonants: soft [d "], [t"] become so strongly affricated (acquire a fricative phase) that from an articulatory point of view they become affricates [d z "], [t s "].
In transcription, additional articulations are usually indicated by diacritics (softness [j] is not indicated, since it never is and cannot be physiologically hard). In the Russian phonetic tradition, velarization of consonants is traditionally not indicated 26. The semi-softness of a consonant can be indicated by a dot at the top right of the corresponding symbol: [p. n "e k].
Additional articulations most often arise in the history of language from the phenomena of coarticulation.
There are consonants in which noise practically does not participate in the formation. They are called sonorants or sonants. Their main distinctive feature is that they are not stunned under any circumstances. In the formation of sonorous sounds, the tone of the voice created by the vibration of the vocal cords prevails over noise. These include the sounds: R, R’, L, L’, N, N’, M, M’, Y. As in the formation of all consonants, in the formation of sonants there is an obstacle in the way of the air stream. However, the frictional force of the jet against the closed organs of speech in this case is minimal, the sound finds a relatively free outlet outward. The air can find its way out either through the nose, which is how the sounds [m], [m’], [n], [n’] are formed, or into the passage between the lateral edges of the tongue and the cheeks - the sound [l], [l’]. If the obstacle is instantaneous, then the sound [р], [р’] is formed. When the gap is wide enough, the sound [j] is formed, corresponding to the letter th. For these reasons, no noise is generated. In accordance with these methods of formation, sonants are divided into fricative, occlusive and tremulous. Thus, the sound [j] is classified as fricative. When pronouncing [j], a gap is formed between the middle part of the back of the tongue and the hard palate, through which a weak air stream passes. The sounds [m], [m’], [n], [n’] are classified as passing through the closure, since the air does not pass through the complete closure, but finds its way through the cavity of the mouth and nose. The occipital ones are divided into oral, or lateral ([l], [l "]), and nasal ([m], [m"], [n], [n"]). Trembling sonants include the sound [р], [р ']. When it is formed, the tip of the tongue is curved and raised towards the alveoli, vibrating under the influence of the air stream. As a result, there is a closure and opening with the alveoli. Since the edges of the tongue are pressed to the lateral teeth, the air stream passes in the middle. These consonants do not have a pair. among voiceless consonants. In other words, in terms of deafness/voice, they are unpaired. In those positions in the word that influence voice production, they behave in a special way, for example, when surrounded by voiceless consonants or at the end of a word. differences from voiced consonants, they are not deafened. For comparison - codes [k`ody - cat]; kola - kol [kal`y - kol]; hollow [fp'ad'na], lamp [l'ampa]. In addition, before sonants there is no voicing of noisy voiceless consonants (request [proz'ba], word [sl'ova]). Sonorant sounds, despite their sonority and the complete absence of a noise component, are not capable of forming a syllable and bearing stress , unlike vowels. The sound [j] (“yot”) is closest to vowels of all sonorant sounds. Sonorant sounds differ from each other in hardness and softness, as well as in the place and method of formation.
In Russian, consonants are divided into hard and soft, voiced and voiceless. For example, sounds do not have a soft pair, but i do not have a hard pair. Find consonant sounds that sound before voiced paired consonants. 5 letters, 6 sounds). Many Russian consonants form pairs based on hardness and softness: –, – and others. According to the ratio of noise and voice, consonants are divided into voiced and voiceless. In a word, vowels can be in stressed and unstressed syllables.
In each case there are consonants that have a pair, as well as consonants that do not have a pair. Let's look at paired and unpaired consonants, and in what words they occur. In the following lessons we will look at other words that are used in Russian. Consonants cannot be sung. They are pronounced with noise and voice: B, Zh, Z. Or only with noise: P, T, F. Consonants are voiced, voiceless paired unpaired.
The voiced “Zh” will be paired with the unvoiced “Sh”. For example: heat - ball. “I understand,” said Zubok. A dull sound is the same as a voiced sound, but said quietly, without a voice. However, not all consonants are paired. Paired consonants will live in one, and unpaired consonants will live in the other. Each consonant has characteristics that distinguish it from other consonant sounds. In speech, sounds can be replaced under the influence of neighboring sounds in a word. It is important to know the strong and weak positions of consonant sounds in a word in order to spell them correctly.
Feature 6. There are two letters in the Russian language that do not make any sounds. Nine sounds are sonorant in the Russian language: , . As with all consonants, when articulating sonorants, an obstacle is created in the oral cavity. In the formation of noisy consonants (, etc.), on the contrary, noise plays the main role. It occurs as a result of an air stream overcoming an obstacle.
The listed sounds are, respectively, either voiced paired or voiceless paired. This replacement is called voicing of the consonant. Do not forget that paired voiced consonants in a weak position at the end of a word or before a voiceless consonant are always voiced, and voiceless consonants in front of a voiced consonant are sometimes voiced. When letters that usually denote voiceless consonants, when voiced, denote ringing sounds, this seems so unusual that it may lead to transcription errors.
In tasks related to comparing the number of letters and sounds in a word, there may be “traps” that provoke errors. Let’s agree: dull sounds will live on the first floor, and voiced sounds will live on the second floor. But not all consonant sounds and letters form pairs. Those consonants that do not have pairs are called unpaired. Let's put unpaired consonant sounds in our houses.
The sounds of the second house are also called sonorous, because they are formed with the help of the voice and almost without noise, they are very sonorous. In this case, pairs of sounds are distinguished by voicedness and deafness, always voiced (the term “sonorant” is not introduced) and always voiceless.
Observations convince students that the consonant sounds l, m, n, r are pronounced with voice and noise, that is, they are voiced, and they do not have a paired dull sound (unpaired voiced sounds). Similarly, students come to the conclusion that the consonants x, c, ch are unpaired voiceless.
PART ONE: ABOUT HARD AND SOFT consonants. This is one pair: and! Only we are accustomed to the fact that all consonants turn from hard to soft if they are followed by ь or an iotized vowel. These sounds exist, for example, in the Ukrainian language. As for the sound, I have more than once heard the opinion that it is not a consonant sound at all, but a semivowel. Thus, we see that the sounds and are unpaired voiced, and the sounds and are unpaired voiceless.
Right, . Yes, and if you pronounce it and pull it, you will hear that it is nothing more than, and these sounds are paired. Therefore, there must be sound. But the deaf, apparently, do not exist at all. Thus, we see that the most commonly used consonant sounds in the Russian language are not 36, but 39, or 38 consonants and one semivowel, depending on who you like)).
In the Russian language there are many more consonants than vowels. There are two types of obstruents in the Russian language: gap and stop - these are the two main ways of forming consonants. Let's compare the words: house and cat. Each word has 1 vowel sound and 2 consonants.
2) before them there is no voicing of paired deaf consonants (i.e. the position in front of them is strong in deafness-voicing, just like before vowels). School textbooks say that and are unpaired in hardness and softness. Confusion arises because school textbooks do not take into account that the sound is also long, but not hard. Pairs are sounds that differ in only one attribute.
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Noisy and sonorant, voiceless and voiced consonants
Step by step, we will analyze all the basic words, and you will understand a lot about this subject, and it will no longer be something confusing and complex. The presenter Vasilisa asked to repeat everything that the students had learned about consonants.
How are these paired? The thing is that you missed the previous lesson, where we studied paired consonants,” Vasilisa explained. And they will give examples. It is enough to change the word so that after an incomprehensible consonant there is a vowel. And then we will understand exactly what letter needs to be written. Let's find these loners together in the Russian alphabet. Paired Unpaired F - Sh M, N Z - S X, Ts K - G R, L And now let's make up a story from words that contain only unpaired consonants.
He didn't notice it because he was looking at the moon. And then his faithful knight entered. And scared away the fly. Well done! Either loud, or quieter, Cat - cat, year - year. We can easily distinguish them. And at the end we will write the letter correctly. Comparison with vowel sounds. These changes in sounds are usually not reflected in writing. Dear colleagues and graduates! I welcome you to my blog)) I would like to inform you that the blog “Up to your ears in the OGE and the Unified State Exam!” has expanded the scope of its content.
Sounds are divided into vowels and consonants. They have different nature. Pay attention to consonant sounds at the end of words and before voiceless consonants. Even though these consonants are paired, they are still very different. But there are sounds that do not have a pair on the basis of hardness and softness. The tone component of the sound is minor and can either be absent altogether (for voiceless consonants) or complement the main one (for voiced consonants).