Phonetics of the English language consonants. Phonetic features of the English language

vowels

Speech sounds are divided into vowels and consonants. There are 20 vowels and 24 consonants in English. An exhaled stream of air, having met on its way tense and close vocal cords, brings them into a state of periodic oscillation, resulting in a voice or musical tone. If the air stream does not encounter a noise-forming barrier on its way, sounds are pronounced, called vowels (vowels). The characteristic vowel timbre is determined by the volume and shape of the oral and nasal cavities, which serve as resonators.

American, English and Russian researchers of the phonetic system in English repeatedly tried to create a classification of vowels. The proposed classifications differed significantly from each other, since different initial principles were taken as a basis: the position of the lips and tongue, longitude and brevity, simple and complex structure.

Depending on the articulation stability vowel sounds are divided into monophthongs, diphthongs, diphthongoids.

monophthongs(monophthongs [‘mɔnәfθɔŋz]) are vowels, during the pronunciation of which the organs of speech remain motionless, the quality of the vowel is stable. There are 10 monophthongs in English: [ɪ], [e], [æ], [υ], [ɔ], [ɔ ׃], , [ə:], [ә], [ʌ].

diphthongs- these are vowel sounds, during the articulation of which there is a smooth transition from one way of speech organs to another, since diphthongs consist of two elements representing one phoneme. The first element of diphthongs is called the nucleus (nucleus), and the second - a sliding appendage or glide (glide). The stress falls on the core of the diphthong. There are 8 diphthongs in English: , , [ɔı], , [ıə], , [əʊ], [ʊə].

Diphthongoids(diphthongoids [‘dɪfθɔngɔɪdz]) - vowel sounds, during the articulation of which there is a minimal movement of the organs of speech from one sound to another, since the components of the diphthongoid are very similar in nature and in the method of articulation. Diphthongoids are intermediate between monophthongs and diphthongs. There are 2 diphthongoids in English: [ɪ:], .

triphthongs(triphthongs ["trıfθɔŋs]) - complex vowel sounds, consisting of three vowel sounds combined in one syllable. The first element of triphthongs is always stressed and is the most “strong” component, the third element is second in strength, while the middle sound, being the weakest component, is often omitted in fast or casual speech.Some phoneticians believe that sounds such as triphthongs are absent in English, since, in their opinion, triphthongs are a combination of diphthongs and a neutral sound.Therefore, they are defined as complex sound. There are five triphthongs: , [аıә], [əuə], [еıә], [ɔıә].

If we classify vowels according to the position of the main mass of the tongue in the oral cavity, they can be divided into:

1) front vowels (fully front vowels) - [ɪ:], [e], [æ], and diphthong nuclei,;

2) vowels of the front retracted row (front-retracted vowels) - [ɪ] and diphthong nuclei [ɪə], , ;

3) mixed vowels - [ə:], [ə] and the core of the diphthong [əu];

4) back advanced vowels (back advanced vowels) - [υ], [ʌ] and diphthong core;

5) back vowels (back vowels) - , [ɔ׃], [ɔ] and the core of the diphthong [ɔɪ].

When pronouncing the vowels of the first and second groups, the front of the tongue is raised towards the alveoli and the hard palate.

Mixed vowels are pronounced with a uniform raising of the back of the tongue.

When pronouncing the vowels of the fourth and fifth groups, the back of the back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate.

If you characterize vowels, taking into account vertical tongue movement, i.e. to make a classification according to the degree of raising the tongue, then it appears in the following form:

1) high vowels (close) - [ɪ:], [ɪ], [υ], [ıə], ;

2) mid-rise vowels (mid-open) - [e], [ə:], [ə], , [əu];

3) low vowels (open) - [æ], [ʌ], , [ɔ], , , [ɔı].

Within each of these subclasses, there are narrow and broad variations:

1) high rise - narrow version:,;

wide option: [ı], [ʊ] [ıə], ;

2) medium rise - narrow version: [e], [ə:], [ɔ:], [əʊ];

wide option: [ə];

3) low rise - narrow version: [ʌ], [ɔı];

wide version: [ᴂ], , [ɔ], , .

According to the position of the lips all vowels are divided into:

1) rounded, or labialized (rounded): [ɔ:], [ɔ], , [υ];

2) unrounded, or non-labialized (unrounded): [ɪ], [ɪ:], [e], [æ], , [ə:], [ә], [ʌ].

Longitudinal (or quantitative) characteristic vowels depends on the duration of the sound of their positional variants in speech. In English, there are:

1) long vowels:,; [ɔ ׃], , [ə:];

2) short vowels: [ı], [e], [ᴂ], [ɔ], [ʊ], [ʌ], [ə].

According to the degree of tension muscles of the speech apparatus, vowels are divided into tense (all long vowels) and relaxed (all short vowels). Diphthongs can be considered semi-tense, because. by the end of their pronunciation, there is a decrease in muscle tension.

Each vowel in the IPA (International Phonetic Association) transcription system was given a corresponding number. The whole system looks like this: No. 1 -, No. 2 - [ı], No. 3 - [e], No. 4 - [ᴂ], No. 5 -, No. 6 - [ɔ], No. 7 - [ɔ:], No. 8 - [ʊ], No. 9 - , No. 10 - [ʌ], No. 11 - [ə:], No. 12 - [ə], No. 13 - , No. 14 - [əʊ], No. 15 - , No. 16 - , No. 17 - [ɔı], No. 18 - [ıə], No. 19 - , No. 20 - [ʊə].

CONVOINTS

Speech sounds, during the articulation of which the air flow in the oral cavity encounters an obstacle and breaks it or passes through a gap, is called consonants (consonants). The fundamental difference between consonants and vowels is the presence of noise that occurs when the air flow decelerates in various parts of the speech apparatus.

The principles for classifying English consonants are also different. You can divide the consonant sounds of the English language into groups according to the following categories:

2) active organs of speech and the place of the barrier (active organs of speech and the place of obstruction);

3) the method of noise generation and the type of obstacle (manner of noise production);

4) the predominance of noise or musical tone (voice or noise prevalence);

5) the number of noise producing foci.

higher when pronouncing deaf consonants, therefore, when describing them, they use the Latin term fortis, which means "strong". When pronouncing voiced consonants, these characteristics of sound formation are lower, therefore, the term lenis is used in relation to them [ " leinis/ " li:nɪs] - "soft, weak". Part of the consonants of the English language is opposed on the basis of "deafness - sonority", for example, [d] - [t]. The other part, namely the consonants [m], [n], [l], [w], [r], [j], [h], do not have pairs.

By position active organ of speech regarding the place of formation of the barrier, all consonants can be divided into labial (labial), lingual (lingual) and pharyngeal (glottal).

Labial, in turn, are divided into:

1) labial-labial (bilabial): [p], [b], [m], [w];

2) labio-dental (labio-dental): [f], [v].

Linguistics are divided into:

1) forelingual (forelingual): [t], [d], [n], [l], [s], [z], [θ], [ð];

2) middle language (mediolingual): [j];

3) backlingual (backlingual): [k], [g], [ŋ].

In the formation of front-lingual consonants, the barrier is created by the tip or front of the tongue, which can touch various parts of the upper palate. Depending on the position of the tip of the tongue, there are:

a) apical consonants (from the Latin apex - “top”), during the pronunciation of which the tip of the tongue is directed upwards and is active: [t], [d], [n], [l], [s], [z], [ θ], [ð];

b) cacuminal consonants (from the Latin cacumen - "hollow"), during the pronunciation of which the tip of the tongue is moved away from the alveoli and bent back, and the middle part of the tongue is omitted: [r];

c) dorsal consonants (from the Latin dorsum - “back”), when pronouncing which the tip of the tongue is lowered to the teeth, and the back is raised to the hard palate: Russian consonants [t], [n].

The medial consonant [j] is pronounced as a result of bringing the middle part of the back of the tongue to the hard palate. Back-lingual, or velar consonants are formed as a result of bringing the back of the back of the tongue to the soft palate.

Pharyngeal consonants include the sound [h], which is formed in the pharynx.

Depending on the places of obstruction distinguish:

1) interdental consonants (interdental): [θ], [ð];

2) alveolar (alveolar): [t], [d], [n], [l], [s], [z];

3) postalveolar (postalveolar): [r];

4) palatal-alveolar (palato-alveolar): [ʃ], [ʒ], [ʧ], [ʤ]. .

According to the method of noise generation and the type of obstacle consonants are divided into:

1) occlusive noisy-plosive (occlusive / stop / plosive) consonants, such as [t], [d], [p], etc. and nasal consonants or sonants (sonants) [m], [n], [ ŋ], upon creation of which a complete closure is formed;

2) constrictive consonants, which, in turn, are divided into noisy fricatives - [f], [v], [ð], [θ] and slotted sonants [r], [j], [w ], [l]. When they are formed, an incomplete bond is formed;

3) occlusive-slit (occlusive-constrictive) consonants, or affricates (affricates) - [ʧ], [ʤ], during the creation of which a gap is formed after a full stop.

If noise predominates in the process of sound formation of a consonant, then noisy consonants arise, if there is a predominance of a musical tone, sonants are formed.

Fricative and occlusive-fricative consonants can have one or two barriers, depending on which single-focus (unicentral) - [s], [z] and bicentral (bicentral) consonants - [f], [v], [θ], [ ð], [r], [j], [ʧ], [ʤ], [ʃ], [w].

The sounds of English speech can be classified according to the following criteria (see table).

Vowels are the sounds of a pure musical tone, when they are pronounced, the vocal cords are tense and vibrate, the exhaled air freely exits through the oral cavity without encountering any obstacles in its path, the air passage is wide, muscle tension is distributed throughout the speech apparatus.

When pronouncing consonants (consonants), the exhaled air meets a complete or incomplete barrier, the resulting friction of the air jet against the walls of the barrier creates noise, the presence of which is the fundamental difference between consonants and vowels. The vocal cords vibrate when pronouncing voiced consonants and sonants; when pronouncing voiceless consonants, they are passive and do not participate in articulation. Muscle tension is concentrated at the site of the obstruction. The intensity of the noise of consonants depends on the width of the passage: the narrower the gap, the stronger the noise. Voiced consonants, during the pronunciation of which the musical tone prevails over noise, are called sonants, or sonorous, the rest of the consonants are called noisy.

2. A combination of explosive consonants from different places of formation.

When two occlusive consonant sounds of different places of formation are articulated together, the opening of the complete barrier at the end of the articulation of the first sound occurs only when the organs of speech are ready for the articulation of the second sound. In this case, there is also a loss of explosion. Instead, it is articulated deaf or voiced pause. Moreover, the duration of this pause, which is necessary for the restructuring of the organs of speech, is somewhat longer than in the previous case:

Stop talking ["stOp_" tLkIN] - stop talking

Don't cry ["dqVnt_"kraI] - don't cry

good girls ["gVd_" gWlz] - good girls

Bob goes ["bOb_"gqVz] - Bob goes

For example, when pronouncing a combination of alveolar and labial explosive consonants, the tip of the tongue should be kept pressed against the alveoli until the lips are closed for a labial sound:

that pen - that pen

that book - that book

good pens ["gVd_" penz] - good pens

good books ["gVd_"bVks] - good books

3. The combination of explosive consonants with nasals.

If, during the articulation of a pair of explosive consonants, the first explosion is lost and replaced by a pause (there is no way for an air jet to escape), then during the articulation of a combination of explosive and nasal occlusive consonants, the so-called nasal explosion occurs: the complete obstruction opens during the pronunciation of the nasal sound, so that the exhaled air exits through the nasal cavity. Thus, to obtain a nasal explosion, the full barrier should not be opened until the organs of speech are prepared for pronouncing the second sound:

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stop moving ["stOp_"mHvIN] - stop moving

a big map - a big map

… stop near… ["stOp_nIq]

… stand near… ["stxnd_nIq]

…told me… ["tqVld_mJ]

…back not…

For example, when pronouncing a combination of alveolar plosives and a labial nasal sound [m], the tip of the tongue should be kept pressed against the alveoli until the lips are closed for a labial sound [m]; at the same time, a nasal explosion occurs - air comes out through the nasal cavity:

that map - that map

good maps ["gVd_"mxps] - good maps

Combination of sonants with other consonants

Three sonorous consonants combined with noisy consonants can form a syllable. That is why they are called sonants. However, they are not syllable-forming in all cases, but only in the final unstressed position after a noisy consonant or after a silent vowel following a noisy consonant. In the following examples, lingering articulation is conventionally marked ..., and the boundary between syllables is marked with a hyphen "-":

gar-den ["gRdn…] - garden

does-n’t ["dAzn…t] - neg. from does

fat-ten ["fxtn…] - fatten

driv en ["drIvn…] - p. p. from to drive

doz-en ["dAzn ...] - a dozen

pre-sent ["prezn ... t] - given

cot-ton ["kOtn ...] - cotton

ta-ble ["teIbl ...] - table

lit-tle ["lItl ...] - small

doub-le ["dAbl ...] - double

fi-nal ["faInl ...] - final

lev-el ["levl ...] - level

met-al ["metl ...] - metal

blos-som ["blOsm ...] - flourishing

Other sonorant sounds are not sonants, since they do not form syllables (even the lingering sound [N] equal to the duration of the sonant). The sound [N] is articulated only together with the vowel that forms the syllable. The sound [j] is articulated only before a vowel, which itself forms a syllable. Letter combinations: "vowel + r or w + consonant" and "consonant + r or w + vowel" form a syllable due to the vowel sound, not the sonorant one. Letter combinations wr, wh are pronounced as one consonant - [r], [h] or [w], each of which forms a syllable together with the subsequent vowel sound.

song want

yes wrong

star who

write when

The combination of explosive consonants with a side sonant [l]

When explosive consonants are combined with nasal sounds, the path of the air stream that occurs when the complete barrier of the first sound is opened through the nasal cavity is provided. Something similar happens in the articulation of sounds. After the articulation of the first sound, the barrier is not yet open, and the organs of speech are already prepared for pronouncing the sound [l]. Then the barrier opens, and the air stream slides along the gap formed by one or two edges of the tongue and the palate. There is a so-called lateral or longitudinal explosion. As a result of aspiration in deaf plosives, it occurs with such force that the sound [l] is partially muffled.

Muted:	He is muted:

In addition, sound combinations and before a stressed vowel are pronounced together:

The combination of stop and fricative consonants

1. When articulating fricative consonants before stop plosives, it is necessary to ensure that the transition from one sound to another is smooth so that the fricative sound is not pronounced as energetically as the subsequent explosive:

dish-gravy ["dIS_"greIvI]

both pens

five girls

Deaf plosives after the sound [s] are pronounced without aspiration:

this cat

this table

this pen

2. Explosive consonants before fricative consonants are articulated less vigorously: the full barrier does not open so sharply, without an explosion, smoothly, creating a gap for the articulation of the subsequent sound:

that vase - that vase

a big fox - big fox

Bob showed ["bOb_" SqVd] - Bob showed

3. Alveolar sounds [t], [d], [n], [l] immediately before interdental [T] and [D] are likened to the latter at the place of formation, that is, they lose alveolarity and become either dental or interdental themselves. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the sound [t] before the sound [D] is pronounced without an explosion and does not sound out, and the transition from one sound to another occurs smoothly:

…that thin…

…at this…

…had thin… ["hxd_"TIn]

…read this… ["rJd_DIs]

…can think…

…on that…

…shall think…

…all that… ["Ll_Dxt]

4. In order to correctly pronounce combinations of deaf plosive sounds with a labial sound [w] -, and - one should:

a) pronouncing the sounds [t] or [k], at the same time round the lips to pronounce the sound [w]:

b) pronouncing the sound [p], gradually, smoothly open and round the lips to pronounce the sound [w]:

stop walking ["stOp_"wLkIN]

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The sound [w] after a voiceless consonant is muted, and the voiceless consonant loses its explosion.

5. When pronouncing the sound combination [r] with the preceding consonant, both consonants are pronounced almost simultaneously, together:

If the preceding consonant is deaf, then under its influence the sound [r] is also muffled:

When pronouncing combinations of alveolar sounds [t] and [d] with a trans-alveolar sound [r], the tip of the tongue is not on the alveoli, but behind the alveoli:

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The combination of fricative consonants with each other

When pronouncing a combination of round-slit consonants [s] and [z] with flat-slit interdental [T] and [D], it is necessary to maintain the quality of each sound and make sure that there is no overtone of a vowel or a pause between them. If the sounds [s] and [z] stand before sounds [T] and [D], then they become dental. When articulating them, it is necessary, without stopping the first sound, to gradually change the shape of the gap from round to flat (the groove along the central part of the tongue disappears and the tongue becomes flat).

If the sounds [s] and [z] stand after sounds [T] and [D], then the tongue smoothly changes shape from flat to concave along its central part.

…is this…

…is thick…

…with sunny…

…with zeal…

…both zeroes…

…both stripes…

…stops this… ["stOps_DIs]

…let's thank… ["lets_TxNk]

The combination of consonants with vowels

1. The combination of sonorous sounds with vowels

a) The letter r and the letter combination er or re at the end of a word are usually not read, but only affect the reading of the preceding vowel (as a rule, lengthen it). However, if after a word ending in the letter r or the combination rе comes a word beginning with a vowel, then the final letter r or the combination rе is read as a sound [r], and both words are pronounced together:

a cook or_a driver?

a driver_or_a cook?

We are_in the park.

The final letter r is not readable if a pause is made at the junction of two semantic groups between words:

My father is a driver | and yours is a cook.

b) When pronouncing the sound [N] between vowels, one must especially carefully ensure that after the sound [N] no overtone [g] is heard.

singing ["sININ] - singing

2. The combination of long vowels with voiced and voiceless consonants.

Long vowels before voiced consonants are pronounced a little longer than before voiceless ones, but shorter than at the end of words:

shorter longer

neat - neat need - need

park - park large - large

proof - proof prove - prove

walk - walk ball - ball

The phenomenon of adaptation is typical for the combinations "consonant + vowel" and "vowel + consonant". In the combinations “consonant + vowel” and “vowel + vowel”, there is a clear tendency to combine sounds, i.e., the continuous pronunciation of such joints. For example, or.

In English, unlike Russian, there is no palatalization(palatalization) of consonants at the junctions of the last with front, front pushed back and mixed vowels, for example, , , , . Palatalization refers to the softening of consonants as a result of the rise of the front of the tongue to the hard palate. In Russian, the phenomenon of palatalization is regular: consonant sounds preceding soft vowels are also softened (Compare: shaft - sluggish, they say - chalk, ardor - drank).

The phenomenon of adaptation can be traced in the combination of the vowel [e] and the sonant [l], if the latter closes the word. In words like , the allophone of the phoneme [e] sounds wider than, say, in words like , .

Long vowels before nasal sonants are slightly nasalized, since at the moment of pronouncing the vowel, the soft palate descends to articulate the sonant: ["mLniN], .

At the end of words in open syllables, wider allophones of phonemes [q], . So, [q] and are pronounced like:

Phenomenon elision multifaceted and covers a large number of types. This phenomenon is observed in colloquial speech and boils down to the fact that the articulation of any sound is not realized. For example, last year ["la:st "jIq] might sound like ["la:s "jIq] or aspects ["xspekts] might sound like ["xspeks]. Since elision is characteristic of informal speech and a casual or low-pitched style, this review does not give a detailed consideration of it, however, for the purpose of general acquaintance, it seems appropriate to dwell on the most common manifestations of elision.

The following consonants are the most frequently elided in colloquial speech.

Norm Elision

[t] – first three ["fWst "TrJ] ["fWs "TrJ]

must be ["mAst bI] ["mAs bI]

[d] – wild life ["waIld "laIf] ["waIl "laIf]

["rxpIdlI] ["rxpIlI]

[v] – of course

five p. m. news ["faIv "pJ "em "njHz] ["faI "pI"em "njHz]

[D] – went the way ["went Dq "weI] ["wentq "weI]

Northern Ireland

[l] – also ["Llsqu] ["Lsqu]

certainly ["sWtqnI] ["sWtqnI]

[r] - for instance ["fInstqns]

terrorist ["terqrIst] ["terIst]

[n] - constantly ["kOnstqntlI] ["kOstqntlI]

[k]-extraordinary

Vowels can also undergo elision. Most often, the articulation of vowels [q] and [I] is not realized.

[q] – different ["dIfqrqnt] ["dIfrqnt]

[I] – similar ["sImIlq] ["sImlq]

The above are the simplest examples of elision, however, in fluent speech, this phenomenon may be accompanied by assimilation and violation of standard word formation. For example, the phrase it's considered can be pronounced . In this case, the function of word formation is shifted from the vowel [q] to the sonant [n]. At the same time, assimilation occurs according to the method of noise generation - a nasal explosion in combination.

In conclusion, mention should also be made of cases of obligatory elision, that is, elision that has become pronunciation norm during the development of the language. For example, grandmother ["grxnmADq], sandwich ["sxnwIG], handsome ["hxnsqm].

When pronouncing consonant sounds, the air on its way encounters various barriers formed by the active organs of speech: tongue, lips, teeth and alveoli.

Consonants

If the organs of speech close in such a way that they completely block the passage for air, then we pronounce stop consonant. These consonants are also called explosive, since a small explosion is heard when the organs of speech are opened. Russian consonants [p, b, t, d, k, g] and English [p, b, t, d, k, g] belong to stop plosive sounds.

If air passes out through the nasal cavity, then such occlusive sounds are called nasal. Examples of nasal stops are Russian [n, m] and English [n, m, ŋ ] .

If the organs of speech do not close completely, but leave a narrow passage - a gap for air, then we pronounce slotted consonant. In Russian, fricative sounds are [s, h, f, v, w, f, l], in English fricative consonants [θ, ð, ʃ, ʒ, s, z, h, f, v, w, r, j, l]. Among the consonants are occlusive-slotted sounds. They are called so because the opening of the barrier in them is slow; the complete obstruction goes into the gap. In Russian, these are sounds [c, h], and in English [tʃ, dʒ].

An obstruction to the path of exhaled air can be formed by various organs of speech. If the lower lip approaches the upper, then there are labial consonants. In Russian, these are sounds [p, m], in English [p, m, w]. If the lower lip touches the upper teeth, then such consonants are called labiodental. In Russian, these are sounds [f, v], in English - [f, v].

If the tip of the tongue is between the lower and upper front teeth, then it is pronounced interdental consonant: [ θ , ð ] .

Russian consonants [t, d, n, l, s, s] - dental, as the end of the tongue rises to the inner surface of the upper teeth. English consonants [t, d, l, s, z] - alveolar, as the tip of the tongue touches or rises to the alveoli.

According to the work of the vocal cords, they distinguish deaf And voiced consonants. When pronouncing voiceless consonants, the glottis is opened and the exhaled air passes silently through the larynx. With voiced consonants, the vocal cords are close and tense. The exhaled air causes them to vibrate, resulting in a sonorous consonant sound. Sounds in Russian: [b, c, d, e, f, h, l, m, n, r, c]- voiced consonants, and sounds: [k, p, s, t, f, x, h, w, u]- voiceless consonants. In English to ringing sounds relate: [ b , v , g , d , z , l , m , n , r ], to the deaf - [k, p, s, t, f, tʃ, ʃ, θ, h].

Compare:

Vowels

For the classification of vowels are considered various provisions of the tongue relative to the hard palate, as well as which part of the tongue is involved in articulation and how high the back of the tongue rises to the hard palate.

Distinguish front vowels, when the tip of the tongue rests against the base of the lower teeth, and the back of the tongue comes quite close to the hard palate: English vowel [i:] and Russian [and].

If the tongue is pulled back and the tip of the tongue is lowered and the back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate, we pronounce back vowels: English sound [a:] and Russian sounds [o] and [u].

According to the position of the lips rounded And undestroyed vowels. For example, when pronouncing the Russian sound [u], the lips are rounded and pushed forward: [u] is a rounded vowel. When pronouncing [ and ], the lips are slightly stretched, but not pushed forward: the vowel [ and ] is an unbroken vowel.

The quality of a vowel depends on the tension of the muscles of the organs of speech: the more intense the articulation, the more distinct and brighter the sound. Accordingly, vowels are distinguished tense And relaxed. For example, the English vowel [ i: ] is pronounced with more stress than [ i ] .*

* This classification does not claim to be complete; we take only that material that will help in explaining the articulation of sounds.

Organs of speech and their work

All people on earth have the same articulatory apparatus, but each language chooses certain positions of the organs of speech for the production of sounds.

The organs of speech are located in the oral cavity: tongue, palate (hard and soft), separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity, teeth and lips. Behind the upper teeth are tubercles called alveoli. The greatest number of speech sounds are formed in the oral cavity due to the great mobility of the tongue and lips and the ability to combine their movements. Directly behind the alveoli is the hard palate, and opposite the root of the tongue is the soft palate.

The active organs of speech also include the vocal cords. When pronouncing deaf consonants, the vocal cords are not tense and apart. When the vocal cords are tense and close together, and the air flow makes them vibrate, a voice arises that we hear when pronouncing voiced consonants and vowels.

Classification of English sounds

When pronouncing consonant sounds, the air on its way encounters various barriers formed by the active organs of speech: tongue, lips, teeth and alveoli.

Consonants

If the organs of speech close in such a way that they completely block the passage for air, then we pronounce stop consonant. These consonants are also called explosive, since a small explosion is heard when the organs of speech are opened. Russian consonants belong to stop plosives [p, b, t, e, k, d] and English [p, b, t, d, k, g].

If air passes out through the nasal cavity, then such occlusive sounds are called nasal. Examples of nasal stops are Russian [n, m] and English [n, m, ŋ].

If the organs of speech do not close completely, but leave a narrow passage - a gap for air, then we pronounce slotted consonant. In Russian, fricative sounds are [s, h, f, v, w, f, l], in English fricative consonants [θ, ð, ʃ, ʒ, s, z, h, f, v, w, r, j, l]. Among the consonants are occlusive-slotted sounds. They are called so because the opening of the barrier in them is slow; the complete obstruction goes into the gap. In Russian, these are sounds [c, h], and in English [tʃ, dʒ].

An obstruction to the path of exhaled air can be formed by various organs of speech. If the lower lip approaches the upper, then there are labial consonants. In Russian, these are sounds [n, m], in English [p, m, w]. If the lower lip touches the upper teeth, then such consonants are called labiodental. In Russian, these are sounds [f, c], in English - [f, v].

If the tip of the tongue is between the lower and upper front teeth, then it is pronounced interdental consonant: [ θ , ð ] .

Russian consonants [t, d, n, l, s, s] - dental, as the end of the tongue rises to the inner surface of the upper teeth. English consonants [t, d, l, s, z] - alveolar, as the tip of the tongue touches or rises to the alveoli.

According to the work of the vocal cords, they distinguish deaf And voiced consonants. When pronouncing voiceless consonants, the glottis is opened and the exhaled air passes silently through the larynx. With voiced consonants, the vocal cords are close and tense. The exhaled air causes them to vibrate, resulting in a sonorous consonant sound. Sounds in Russian: [b, c, d, e, f, h, l, m, n, r, c]- voiced consonants, and sounds: [k, p, s, t, f, x, h, w, u]- voiceless consonants. In English, voiced sounds include: [ b , v , g , d , z , l , m , n , r ], to the deaf - [k, p, s, t, f, tʃ, ʃ, θ, h].

Compare:

Vowels

To classify vowels, the different positions of the tongue relative to the hard palate are considered, as well as which part of the tongue is involved in articulation and how high the back of the tongue rises to the hard palate.

Distinguish front vowels when the tip of the tongue rests on the base of the lower teeth, and the back of the tongue comes quite close to the hard palate: English vowel [i:] and Russian [ And ].

If the tongue is pulled back and the tip of the tongue is lowered and the back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate, we pronounce back vowels: English sound [a:] and Russian sounds [ O ] And [y].

According to the position of the lips rounded And undestroyed vowels. For example, when pronouncing the Russian sound [y] lips are rounded and pushed forward: [y] is a rounded vowel. When pronouncing [ And ] lips slightly stretched, but not pushed forward: vowel [ And ]- unbroken vowel.

The quality of a vowel depends on the tension of the muscles of the organs of speech: the more intense the articulation, the more distinct and brighter the sound. Accordingly, vowels are distinguished tense And relaxed. For example, the English vowel [i:] pronounced with more tension than [i].

The concept of transcription

Transcription are special characters that represent actual speech sounds. The need to master transcription is due to the discrepancy between spelling and pronunciation in English. There are a large number of words that have either unreadable letters or exceptions to the rules. No wonder they say: "Write London - read Liverpool." There are 48 sounds in the English pronunciation system, so there are 48 transcription marks.

Signs phonetic transcription to represent the sounds of the English language:

Consonants
[f] five	[d] do
[v] very	[ k ] key
[θ] thick	[g] gas
[ð] this	[tʃ]chin
[s]so	[dʒ] Jim
[z]zoo	[m] mother
[ʃ] ship	[n] no
[ʒ] pleasure	[ŋ] long
[ h ] horse	[ l ] less
[p] park	[r] river
[ b ] book	[j]yellow
[t]tea	[w] white
Vowels
[i:] eat	[ei] lake
[ i ] it	[ai] like
[e] pen	[au] house
[æ] bad	[ɔi] boy
[a:] art	[ou] home
[ɔ] box	[iə] ear
[ʌ] cup	[ɛə] air
[u]cook	[uə] poor
[u:] school	[juə] Europe
[ju:] tune	[aiə] fire
[ə:] girl	[auə] hour
[ə] paper	[ɔ:] all

English alphabet

The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, which in writing represent 48 sounds.

A[ei]	Nn [en]
Bb[bi:]	Oh [ou]
Cc[si:]	Pp[pi:]
Dd[d:]	Qq [kju:]
Ee[i:]	Rr[a:]
ff [ef]	Ss [es]
Gg [dʒi:]	Tt[ti:]
Hh [eitʃ]	Uu [ju:]
Ii [ai]	Vv[vi:]
Jj [dʒei]	Ww [`dʌbl`ju:]
Kk [kei]	xx [eks]
ll [el]	Yy [wai]
Mm [em]	Zz [zed]

Sounds [p, b, k, g, f, v, m]

English consonants [ p, b, k, g, f, v, m] are called stop, because when they are pronounced, the organs of speech close, and then quickly open. Pronunciation of English stopping sounds [ p, b, k, g, f, v, m] coincides with the pronunciation of the corresponding Russian stop consonants [ p, b, k, d, f, c, m]. English voiceless consonants [ p, k, f] at the end of words are pronounced energetically. Voiced consonants [ b, g, v] at the end of words and before voiceless consonants are not stunned.

Compare:

[ P ] - [ p] stump - pen (pen)
[ b ] - [ b] box - box (box)
[ To ] - [ k] wedge - clean (clean)
[ G ] - [ g] goose - goose (goose)
[ f ] - [ f] football - football (football)
[ V ] - [ v] news - vest (vest)
[ m ] - [ m] cape - miss (miss)

On the letter sounds [ p, b, k, g, f, v, m pp [ pi: ], bb [ bi: ], Kk [ kei ], gg [ dʒi: ], FF [ ef], vv [ vi: ], mm [ em ].

letter combination ph [ `pi: `eitʃ] is also read as [ f]:photo[ `foutou ].

Sounds [n, l, t, d]

When pronouncing alveolar stop consonants [ n, l, t, d] the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli (tubercles behind the upper teeth). These sounds do not soften before vowels and at the end of a word. To avoid an unwanted vowel overtone, you do not need to press the tip of the tongue hard and hold it on the alveoli for a long time. Voiceless consonant [ t] at the beginning and end of words is pronounced energetically. In Russian, such sounds are pronounced by touching the tip of the tongue of the upper teeth, and not the alveoli.

Compare:

[ n ] - [ n] no - net (grid)
[ l ] - [ l] forest - less (less)
[ T ] - [ t] type - tip (tip)
[ d ] - [ d] gave - dull (boring)

On the letter sounds [ n, l, t, d] respectively are denoted by letters: Nn [ en ], Ll [ el ], Tt [ ti: ], Dd [ di:]: net, less, tip, dull.

Sounds [s, z]

English consonants [ s, z] are called slits, because when they are pronounced, a gap is formed between the tip of the tongue and the alveoli through which air passes. When pronouncing English fricative sounds [ s, z] the tip of the tongue is raised to the alveoli, but does not touch them. The voice passes through the gap formed between the alveoli and the tip of the tongue. When pronouncing Russian fricative consonants, the tongue is located at the base of the lower teeth.

Compare:

Wookiee letter [ s,z] are denoted:

in letters Ss [ es]:some,start, Zz [ zed]: zebra,Zena
- letter combination ss [ dʌbles]: less
- letter cc [ si:] before vowels e, i, y: center, city, cycle.

Compare Russian and English consonants:

Sound [e]

When pronouncing the short vowel [ e] the tip of the tongue is at the base of the lower teeth. Lips are slightly stretched. English sound [ e] is similar to the Russian sound [ uh] in the words "these chains". Before voiceless consonants [ e] is pronounced very briefly, and before consonants [ n,l,m] is markedly longer.

Compare the pronunciation of Russian and English words.

When pronouncing the sound [ e] focus on the sound [ uh] in the words "these", "chains".

[ bed] bed - bed (bed)
[ beg] run - beg (beg)
[ les] forest - less (less)
[ spell] sang - spell (spell)
[ net] no - net (network)
[ smel] dared - smell (smell)
[ test] test - test (test, test)
[ text] text - text (text)

This is how it sounds e] V English words.

[ pen]pen - pen
[ desk] desk - desk
[ bed] bed - bed
[ text]text - text
[ lesn] lesson - lesson
[ next] next - next
[ end] end - end
[ tent] tent - tent

On the letter the sound [ e] is denoted by the letter ee [ i:] if it is followed by one or more consonants: pen, bed, tent, egg, desk, end, next.

Sound [ei]

Sound [ ei] - diphthong, i.e. indivisible sound. The core of the diphthong is the vowel [ e]. After pronouncing the nucleus, the tongue makes a slight upward movement in the direction of the sound [ i], without reaching its full education. There is no such sound in Russian. A clear pronunciation of the second part of the diphthong is not allowed.

Compare:

This is what a diphthong sounds like [ ei] in English words:

On a letter sound [ ei] is denoted:

letter aa [ ei] if it is followed by one consonant (sometimes two) + the letter " e", which is called a silent letter. It is not pronounced, but only indicates that the letter " a" reads like [ ei]: name, date, sale, snake, gate, tape, late, stale.

Letter combination " ey" is also read as [ ei]: gray [ gray],they[ ei]. Exception: key[ ki: ].

Sound [ə]

If the word has unstressed vowels, then in transcription they are indicated by the icon [ ə ]. Sound [ ə ] is called neutral because it has no distinct color. He reminds unstressed sound "A" at the end of the Russian word "room".

In the Russian words below, the underlined unstressed vowels "a" resemble the English neutral sound [ ə ]

Now pay attention to the pronunciation of English words with a neutral vowel [ ə ]:

On a letter sound [ ə ] is passed:

A combination of letters or [ ou a: ], er [ i:a: ], ar [ ei a:], standing at the end of the word and pronounced without stress: paper, letter, better, doctor, dollar.

Letter A in an unstressed position at the beginning and at the end of the word also transmits the sound [ ə ]: delta, again, attend.

Sound [i]

When pronouncing a short vowel [ i] the tip of the tongue is at the lower teeth, the lips are slightly stretched. English sound [ i] is similar to the Russian sound " And" in an unstressed position in the phrase "here is the story." Before the sounds [ m, n, l] sound [ i] is slightly lengthened, and before voiceless consonants [ p, t, k, s] is pronounced very briefly.

Compare:

In the words given below, it sounds short sound [ i ]:

On a letter sound [ i] is denoted:

letter II [ ai] if it is followed by one or more consonants: pin, tip, fill, miss, ill.
word live [ liv] is an exception.

In an unstressed position in the word letter e transmits a short sound [ i]: eleven.

Sounds [θ, ð]

Unfortunately, in Russian, sounds like [ θ, ð ] No.
To understand how these sounds are pronounced, the following exercises for the organs of speech will help.

Stick your tongue between your teeth and blow out the air. Make sure that the tongue is not tense, and the lips do not touch the edges of the tongue.
- Stick your tongue between your teeth and then quickly remove it. Do this exercise several times.

When pronouncing sounds [ θ, ð ] the tongue is flattened and not tense, the tip of the tongue is between the teeth. Sound [ θ ] is pronounced as deaf, and the sound [ ð ] with a voice like a sonorous one. Remember that the lips should not touch the edges of the tongue. You should quickly remove your tongue behind your teeth so as not to interfere with the pronunciation of the subsequent sound. These sounds should not be replaced by Russian " s, s"or in English [ z, t, d ].

For example:

[ðei] they - they	[θik] thick
[ðem] them	[θin] thin
[ðen] then - then	[miθ] myth
[ðis] this - this	[tenθ] tenth - tenth
[beið] bathe - to bathe	[timəθi] Timothy - Timothy

On a letter sounds [ θ, ð ] are denoted by the letter combination th. Sound [ ð ], as a rule, sounds in service words:

In the definite article (the)

Instead of names(this,that,they,them)

At the end of words before a letter e(bathe)

If the letter combination th is the ending for the formation of ordinal numbers, then it is pronounced as [ θ ], for example: tenth.

Pay attention to the difference in the pronunciation of sounds [ θ ] - [ s ] - [ t]:

θ ], then they try to replace it either with the sound [ s], on either [ t] , which leads to a gross violation of the meaning. Sound [ θ ] interdental. When pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue is between the teeth. Sounds [ t, s] alveolar. When pronouncing [ t] the tip of the tongue is in contact with the alveoli. When pronouncing [ s] the tip of the tongue rises to the alveoli.

Compare:

Due to the lack of sound [ ð ] in Russian it is often replaced by the sounds [ z ], [ d], which leads to a gross violation of the meaning. Sound [ ð ] voiced interdental consonant. It is pronounced the same as [ θ ] with voice only. Sounds [ z, d] are voiced alveolar consonants.

Compare:

Sound [i:]

i:] the tongue is moved forward, the tip of the tongue lightly touches the lower teeth. English sound [ i:] is similar to the Russian sound " And" in such words as "spark", "them", if "and" in these words is pronounced tensely and drawlingly. Do not replace the English sound [ i:] into the Russian sound "ы", and also pronounce it softly before consonants.

Compare:

This is what it sounds like [ i:] in English words:

On a letter sound [ i:] is passed:

letter ee [ i:] if it is followed by a consonant + a mute e or any other vowel: these, Pete, Eva

Letter combinations: ea, ee, ei, ie, for example: veal, need, ceil, field

The exception is the word: key [ ki: ].

Pay attention to the difference in pronunciation [ i ] and [ i: ].

These sounds differ from each other in longitude. Longitude, brevity in English help to distinguish one word from another. There is no such opposition in Russian.

Sound [r]

In Russian, a sound similar to the English sound [ r] does not exist. When pronouncing the sound [ r] the tip of the tongue is raised to the back of the alveoli (tubercles behind the upper teeth). The tongue is immobile and does not vibrate. In order to get an English sound [ r], you should pinch your cheeks with your fingers and pronounce the Russian sound " R until the tongue stops vibrating.

English sound [ r] sounds in following words:

On a letter sound [ r] is indicated only by a letter Rr [ a:]. For example: rain, river, very.

Assimilation

Depending on the position in the word, some sounds noticeably change their pronunciation.
Assimilation called qualitative assimilation one sound to another.
Assimilation exists in order to make it more convenient to pronounce sounds at the junction of words and in the middle of a word.
In Russian, assimilation is mainly manifested by the loss of sounds, for example, in the words "healthy V go" and "forest T nitsa" selected sounds are not pronounced.

In English, assimilation is manifested by moving the place where the barrier is formed, i.e. consonants that are pronounced on the alveoli [ s, z, n, t] before sounds [ θ, ð ] move to the gap between the teeth, so that it is more convenient to pronounce the following interdental [ θ, ð ].

For example:

Sound [ou]

Sound [ ou] is a diphthong. When pronouncing the sound [ ou] the lips are at first slightly stretched, and then rounded, but do not protrude forward. The first element of the diphthong resembles the neutral sound [ ə ], and sliding occurs in the direction [ u].

For example:

On a letter sound [ ou] is passed:

letter o if it is followed by a consonant + a mute e or any other vowel: note, rose, chose, those.
- letter combination boat, coat, oak, load.
- letter combination ow, standing at the end of a word, can also convey the sound [ ou]: snow, yellow.
- before ld and in the final position in the word letter o also read as [ ou]: old, potato, tomato.

Sound [a:]

When pronouncing a long sound [ a:] the tip of the tongue is significantly retracted from the lower teeth. The back of the tongue is curved and raised to the hard palate. (Imagine that the doctor asks you to open your mouth and show your throat. In this case, you instinctively pull your tongue away from your teeth!) From the Russian sound "a" English [ a:] has a thick tone and a deep low tone. It's a long and intense sound:

On a letter sound [ a:] is passed:

A combination of letters a + r: park, car, dark, lark, art, jar.
- letter a also read as [ a:] before f, nt, th: raft, after, father, bath, plant.
- in combination a + s + consonant: class, ask, grass.
- exception: aunt.

Explosion Loss

Both Russian and English have explosive consonants [ p ], [ b ], [ k ], [ g ], [ t ], [ d ], [ tʃ ] , [ dʒ] that sound like an explosion when spoken. When these consonants meet each other at the junction of words, only one of them is pronounced with an explosion, the other explosion is lost. It is much more convenient to pronounce one explosion, since the smoothness of speech is not disturbed.

For example:

Sound [w]

Before making a sound, try the following exercises:
- Strongly round and bulge forward lips. Blow air into the formed round hole.
- Stick out your lips, then quickly spread them apart. Repeat the exercise several times.
- When pronouncing the sound [ w] lips are strongly rounded and pushed forward, forming a round gap. Then, instantly, the tongue and lips move into position for pronouncing the next vowel.

For example:

On a letter sound [ w] is only transmitted as a letter www [ d'bl ju:]: wait, week, wet, wheel, woe.

Since there is no sound in Russian [ w], then they try to replace it with the Russian sound "f", less often "v". When pronouncing [ w] lips are rounded and slightly protruding forward. When pronouncing [ f, v] the upper teeth touch the lower lip as in the Russian "f".

Compare:

Sound [ɔ]

When pronouncing the sound [ ɔ ] the mouth is wide open (approximately at a distance of two fingers: index and middle), lips are rounded, but do not protrude forward. If you correctly positioned the organs of speech for pronouncing this sound, then it should have a shade between the Russian sounds "a" and "o".

For example:

On a letter sound [ ɔ ] is transmitted is transmitted by letter o if it is followed by one or more consonants: box, got, pot, soft, ox, odd, often.

Sound [ɔi]

Sound [ ɔi] - diphthong, i.e. indivisible sound. The core of the diphthong is the short vowel [ ɔ ]; sliding occurs in the direction of the vowel [ i]. When pronouncing the second element, one should not raise the middle back of the tongue too high so that the Russian sound "y" is not heard.

For example:

On a letter sound [ ɔi] send:

letter combination oi: noise, coin, poison
- letter combination oy: boy, toy, enjoy

Sound [ʌ]

Sound [ ʌ ] short unstressed vowel. When pronouncing [ ʌ ] the mouth is half open, the lips are neutral. The tongue is slightly retracted from the base of the lower teeth. If we pronounce the Russian sound "a", then we significantly move the tongue away from the teeth, and do not stretch the lips. Sound [ ʌ ] is similar to the Russian unstressed sound "a" in the word "osa".

Compare:

And this is how it sounds ʌ ] in English words:

On a letter sound [ ʌ ] is passed:

letter u if it is followed by one or more consonants: but, dull, just, gun, under.
- letter o before m, n, v, th: come, mother, love, front.

Pay attention to the difference in the pronunciation of a short, relaxed sound [ ʌ ] and a long tense [ a:] Differences in the pronunciation of sounds [ ʌ ] And [ a:] are not only in longitude - brevity, but also in the quality of these sounds. When pronouncing [ ʌ ] the tongue lies at the base of the lower teeth, the lips are neutral. This is a more forward sound, reminiscent of the "a" sound in the unstressed position in the word "osa". When pronouncing [ a:] the tongue is pulled away from the lower teeth, the lips are slightly rounded. This sound is characterized by a thick timbre and a deep undertone.

Compare:

[kʌm] - [ka:m]	come - calm	come - calm
[dʌk] - [da:k]	duck-dark	duck - dark
[lʌk] - [la:k]	luck - lark	luck - lark
[bʌt] - [ba:t]	but - Bart	but - Bart (name)
[pʌk] - [pa:k]	puck-park	puck - park

Sound [ai]

Sound [ ai] is a diphthong consisting of a core and a glide. The core of the diphthong is a short sound [ ʌ ]. After pronouncing the nucleus, the tongue makes an upward movement in the direction of the sound [ i]. Sound [ i] should not sound distinct. Do not replace the diphthong [ ai] Russian sound combination "ai". This may not affect the understanding of words, but it will give the words a Russian accent!

This is what it sounds like [ ai] in English words:

On a letter sound [ ai] is passed:

letter i if it is followed by a consonant + mute e: time, life, chime, jive, ice, item.
- If y stands at the end of a monosyllabic word, then it reads like [ ai]: why, try, dry.
- before letter combinations ld, nd, gh letter i also transmits the sound [ ai]: mild, kind, high.

Sound [au]

Sound [ au] is a diphthong. Its core is pronounced in the same way as the first element of the sound [ ai], and then the tongue moves back and up in the direction of the sound [ u]. The second element must be very weak. This sound should not be replaced by the Russian sound combination "ay", where both elements are pronounced equally distinctly and the lips are significantly rounded.

This is what it sounds like [ au] in English words:

On a letter sound [ au] is passed:

letter combination ou: house, noun, cloud, about.
- letter combination ow: town, how, owl, brown, drown, down.
- exception: country[ kʌntri], cousin [ kʌzn ].

Sound [h]

Sound [ h] is found only before vowels and sounds like a light exhalation. Language at the time of pronunciation [ h] takes the position to produce the subsequent vowel. Replacement English sound [ h] Russian "x" does not affect the meaning of words, but gives speech a strong Russian accent.

This is what it sounds like [ h] in English words:

On a letter sound [ h] is passed as a letter hh: hot, help, how, home, he, hay, high.

Side blast

Speech sounds, during the articulation of which the air flow passes freely through the pharyngeal and oral cavity, and the vocal cords are shifted and vibrate, are called vowels. Vowels are sounds formed by voice (tone).

The articulatory characteristics that make up the quality of vowels are as follows: the stability of articulation, the movement and position of the tongue in the horizontal and vertical planes (row, rise), the position of the lips, the nature of the indentation of the vowel, historical longitude, tension.

2.1. Articulation stability is determined by the position of articulation of the vowel, which can be stable and unstable - when, when pronouncing a vowel, the organs of speech from one position move to another.

In the first case, the vowels are called monophthongs [ɪ, e, ӕ, a:, ɒ, ɔ:, ʊ, ʌ, ɜ:, ə]. In the second, the vowel consists of two elements (nucleus and glide) and is called diphthong . There is also a third case - intermediate between the two indicated, when the change in the position of the tongue is barely perceptible. In this case, it is about diphthongoids .

This approach to the classification of vowels is shared by Russian phonetists, but is not supported by some British phonetists, including A. Gimson, who identifies 20 phonemes consisting of vowels and vowel glide (from the English glide slip). Seven of them belong to short phonemes: [ɪ, e, ӕ, ɒ, ʊ, ʌ, ə], 13 to long ones: . Of the long phonemes, 5 are pure vowels (monophthongs): the rest are long phonemes with slips to [ɪ], [ʊ], [ə].

2.2. The movement and position of the tongue in the horizontal and vertical planes (classification by row, rise) is also the principle of classifying vowels from a phonological point of view. The language can produce movements in two main directions: horizontally, which determines the characteristics of the vowel along the row, and vertically, which is the reason for the difference in vowels in rise.

Varieties of English vowels in a row are represented by 5 groups of phonemes:

1) front row : (tongue in front of the mouth, tip at the lower teeth, front of the back of the tongue facing or raised to some extent to the hard palate);

2) front retracted vowels : [ɪ, ɪə] (tongue in front of the mouth, but slightly retracted, front of the back facing the hard palate);

3) mixed (central) vowels : [ʌ, z:, ə, əʊ, aɪ, aʊ] (tongue in the middle part of the oral cavity, the maximum rise of the back of the tongue is against the border between the soft and hard palate);

4) back vowels : (the tip is moved away from the lower teeth, and the back of its back approaches the soft palate);

5) back advanced vowels [ʊ, ʊə] (tongue at the back of the mouth, but slightly forward, the central part of the tongue approaches the front of the soft palate).

British phoneticians do not distinguish between a front-back vowel class and a forward-back back vowel class.

Another articulatory characteristic of English vowels is the vertical movement of the tongue, on the basis of which the vowels are distinguished by their rise.

British researchers distinguish three classes of vowels: high rise (closed), middle rise (semi-open), low rise vowels (open).

Russian phonology gives a more detailed classification of vowels by rise, distinguishing two varieties in each of the mentioned classes: narrow - wide. The classification of English vowels by rise is as follows:

2.3. Lip position- the third articulatory characteristic of vowels. During articulation, the lips can take two positions: stretch and open the teeth, and then they are pronounced undestroyed vowels (non-labialized). In another case, the lips are drawn together, rounded and pushed forward. How to pronounce rounded (labialized) vowels.

In English, vowel roundness is not a phonologically relevant characteristic, since there are no words in it that could be opposed on this basis. Any back vowel is rounded. The degree of roundness depends on the height of the rise of the tongue: the higher the rise, the more rounded is the sound. Therefore, roundness is an accompanying articulatory characteristic of sound, since no back vowel can exist without it.

Vowel indentation character

English vowels are characterized by a phenomenon that is not found in Russian - truncation. This feature of the vowel depends on the nature of the articulatory transition from vowel to consonant within one syllable. Truncated vowels are short vowels that are stressed in closed syllable ending in a voiceless consonant, for example: . The essence of the phenomenon boils down to the fact that when pronouncing a vowel in a similar position, there is no weakening of articulation. When approaching the final phase of articulation, the intensity of the sound of the vowel does not decrease, the vowel, as it were, is abruptly interrupted by the subsequent deaf consonant. Untruncated vowels in English are diphthongs, long monophthongs and unstressed vowels that can stand in open syllable and at the end of words, or in a closed syllable before voiced consonants.

2.5. Quantitative characteristic of a vowel sound is its longitude. Each vowel, like any sound, has a duration of sound. Duration as one of the characteristics of a vowel sound depends on the following factors: proper length, stress or unstress of the syllable in which the vowel is located, phonetic context, position in the syllable, position in the rhythmic structure, position in the syntagma, phrase, utterance, tempo of the utterance, type of pronunciation, pronunciation style.

The problem that researchers face is whether to consider length variation as a relevant characteristic of the English vowel system. If we approach this problem from a phonological point of view, two rules must be taken into account:

1) the relevant characteristic has a systemic character, i.e. it is inherent in a whole group of linguistic units;

2) the characteristic is of a systemic nature, if it is not contextually determined, i.e. unaffected by the context in which it is located.

Based on the foregoing, vowel length cannot be recognized as a relevant characteristic, because it changes under the influence of various phonetic contexts. This position is shared by domestic and some foreign researchers in the field of English phonetics. So, for example, the length of the vowel is not the same in the words me, meal, meat. It has the greatest longitude in an open syllable, is slightly shortened before a voiced consonant, the least long sound is before a deaf consonant.

When comparing minimal pairs of words, for example, differentiation of their meanings is carried out not due to the quantitative characteristics of sounds, but due to differences in the stability of articulation, along the row and rise: [ɪ] - monophthong of the front row, pushed back row, high rise of a wide variety, - diphthongoid front row, high lift narrow variety.

tension

Tension characterizes the state of the organs of speech at the time of articulation. Historically, long vowels have tense articulation, short vowels do not have tense, weak articulation. Tension is a concomitant characteristic of English long vowels.

Summarizing the material of this paragraph of the lecture, we highlight the most important points. So, the phonological analysis of the articulatory characteristics of English vowels allows us to state that such articulatory features as the stability of articulation and the position of the tongue as an active pronunciation organ are functionally relevant. Other articulatory features of vowels - the position of the lips, the nature of the indentation of the vowel, longitude, tension are related characteristics of the quality of the vowel. Despite the fact that they do not have phonological significance, nevertheless, these characteristics are important in the process of learning English pronunciation.