The Sounds of Language and the Sound Patterns of Language

PREFACE

Alhamdulillahirabbilalamin, Praise be to Allah, blessings guidance of His incomparable measure the magnitude and sholawat and greetings we devote to master the great Prophet Muhammad, so that we can complete a paper entitled "The Sounds of Language" were proposed as one a linguistic task subjects in semester III, which is taught by Mrs. Siti Luruh Ayu Nurjannah, M.pd. To her we thank you profusely, have given support and confidence so great. From where all this success, The preparation we obtained a lot of help from written sources, therefore, hopefully all of these can provide a bit of knowledge and lead to a better step. Although we expect the contents of this paper are free of flaws and mistakes, but always missing. Therefore we expect criticism and constructive suggestions that this paper can be better. Final word we hope that paper is beneficial to all students.

                                                                                            Cirebon, September 2015

                                                                                         Author

CONTENS

PREFACE………………………………………………………………………………

CONTENS………………………………………………………………………………

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

A. Background…………………………………………………………………

B. Problem Formulation………………………………………………………

C. Goal of Paper………………………………………………………………

CHAPTER II DISCUCCION

A.    The sounds of language …………………………………………………

B.     The sound patterns of language…………………………………………

CHAPTER III  CLOSING

A.    Conclusion…………………………………………………………………

B.     Advice……………………………………………………………………..

REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………….

CHAPTER I 

INTRODUCTION

A.Background

English into a language that is very fun to learn for those who like to learn. In contrast, English is the language that is very difficult for those who do not like to learn. But for someone who likes to learn the English language is also of course have some problems in the process, one of which is the sound of the language. The sounds of language becomes one thing is for sure learned if we are in English major. The sounds of language is part of linguistic science that studies how the language sounds produced. Many students who do not understand this aspect because it had learned quite difficult and requires deeper thought to learn. In addition, there is the sound patterns of language that should be learned for students of English. In a language, the sound that comes out of words have certain patterns that should be known to students majoring in English.

B. Problem formulation.

Based on the background, the problems discussed can be formulated as follows:

1. How does the sound of the language can be issued?

2. How to identify the sound patterns of language?

C. Goal of paper

So that readers can understand about the sounds of language and the sound pattern of language in English and to improve the quality of students in speaking English well.

CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

A. The sound of language

The sound of the language or font is a unit of the sound produced by said tool. If we cannot use the letters of the alphabet in a consistent way to represent the sounds we make, how do we go about describing the sounds of a language like English? One solution is to produce a separate alphabet with symbols that represent sounds. Such a set of symbols does exist and is called the phonetic alphabet.

Phonetics

The general study of the characteristics of speech sounds is called phonetics. Our main interest will be in articulatory phonetics, which is the study of how speech sounds are made, or articulated. Other areas of study are acoustic phonetics, which deals with the physical properties of speech as sound waves in the air, and auditory phonetics (or perceptual phonetics) which deals with the perception, via the ear, of speech sounds

Voiced and voiceless sounds

In articulatory phonetics, we investigate how speech sounds are produced using the fairly complex oral equipment we have. We start with the air pushed out by the lungs up through the trachea (or windpipe) to the larynx. Inside the larynx are your vocal folds (or vocal cords), which take two basic positions.

Place of articulation

Once the air has passed through the larynx, it comes up and out through the mouth and/or the nose. Most consonant sounds are produced by using the tongue and other parts of the mouth to constrict, in some way, the shape of the oral cavity through which the air is passing. The terms used to describe many sounds are those which denote the place of articulation of the sound: that is, the location inside the mouth at which the constriction takes place.

Bilabials

Bilabial sound, namely bunti generated by the involvement of the lip (labium) bottom and the lip (labium) above. The trick, lower lip (as articulator) touches the upper lip (as a point of articulation). For example, the sound [p], [b], [m], and [w]. These are sounds formed using both (= bi) upper and lower lips (= labia). The initial sounds in the words pat, bat and mat are all bilabials. They are represented by the symbols [p], which is voiceless, and [b] and [m], which are voiced. We can also describe the [w] sound found at the beginning of way, walk and world as a bilabial.

Labiodentals

These are sounds formed with the upper teeth and the lower lip. The initial sounds of the words fat and vat and the final sounds in the words safe and save are labiodentals. They are represented by the symbols [f], which is voiceless, and [v], which is voiced. Notice that the final sound in the word cough, and the initial sound in photo, despite the spelling differences, are both pronounced as [f].

Dentals

These sounds are formed with the tongue tip behind the upper front teeth. The initial sound of thin and the final sound of bath are both voiceless dentals. The symbol used for this sound is [θ], usually referred to as “theta.” It is the symbol you would use for the first and last sounds in the phrase three teeth.

The voiced dental is represented by the symbol [ð], usually called “eth.” This sound is found in the pronunciation of the initial sound of common words like the, there, then and thus. It is also the middle consonant sound in feather and the final sound of bathe.

Alveolars

These are sounds formed with the front part of the tongue on the alveolar ridge, which is the rough, bony ridge immediately behind and above the upper teeth. The initial sounds in top, dip, sit, zoo and nut are all alveolars. The symbols for these sounds are easy to remember – [t], [d], [s], [z], [n]. Of these, [t] and [s] are voiceless whereas [d], [z] and [n] are voiced.

Palatals

If you feel back behind the alveolar ridge, you should find a hard part in the roof of your mouth. This is called the hard palate or just the palate. Sounds produced with the tongue and the palate are called palatals (or alveo-palatals). Examples of palatals are the initial sounds in the words shout and child, which are both voiceless. The “sh” sound is represented as [ʃ] and the “ch” sound is represented as [ʧ]. One of the voiced palatals, represented by the symbol [ʒ], is not very common in English, but can be found as the middle consonant sound in words like treasure and pleasure, or the final sound in rouge.

Velars

Sounds produced with the back of the tongue against the velum are called velars. There is a voiceless velar sound, represented by the symbol [k], which occurs not only in kid and kill, but is also the initial sound in car and cold. Despite the variety in spelling, this [k] sound is both the initial and final sound in the words cook, kick and coke.

Glottals

Glottal sound, the sound produced by the engagement hole or slit (glottis) on the vocal cords. The trick, docked vocal cords in a way that closes the glottis. For example, hamzah. There is one sound that is produced without the active use of the tongue and other parts of the mouth. It is the sound [h] which occurs at the beginning of have and house and, for most speakers, as the first sound in who and whose. This sound is usually described as a voiceless glottal. The “glottis” is the space between the vocal folds in the larynx.

Charting consonant sounds

Having described in some detail the place of articulation of English consonant sounds, we can summarize the basic information in the accompanying chart. Along the top of the chart are the different labels for places of articulation and, under each, the labels −V(=voiceless) and+V (=voiced). Also included in this chart, on the left-hand side, is a set of terms used to describe manner of articulation which we will discuss in the following section.

Limitations of the chart

We would go to an IPA chart for a description of the sounds of all languages. It includes, for example, symbols for the velar fricative sound you may have heard in the German pronunciation of the “ch” part of Bach or Achtung. It also includes sounds made with the back of the tongue and the uvula (the “little grape” hanging at the end of the velum) which represents the “r” parts of the French pronunciation of rouge and lettre.

Manner of articulation

So far, we have concentrated on describing consonant sounds in terms of where they are articulated. We can also describe the same sounds in terms of how they are articulated.

Such a description is necessary if we want to be able to differentiate between some sounds which, in the preceding discussion, we have placed in the same category. For example, we can say that [t] and [s] are both voiceless alveolar sounds. How do they differ? They differ in their manner of articulation, that is, in the way they are pronounced. The [t] sound is one of a set of sounds called stops and the [s] sound is one of a set called fricatives.

Stops

Beep stop (inhibitory), the sound produced by air currents sealed so that air stopped immediately, and then released back suddenly. The first phase (closure) called implosive (or stop implosive). The second stage is called the explosive release (or stop explosive). Of the sounds we have already mentioned, the set [p], [b], [t], [d], [k], [ɡ] are all produced by some form of “stopping” of the air stream (very briefly) then letting it go abruptly. This type of consonant sound, resulting from a blocking or stopping effect on the air stream, is called a stop (or a “plosive”).

Fricatives

Fricative sound (slide), the sound produced by the air flow is inhibited such that the air can still get out. For example, [f], [v], [s], [z], [x]. The manner of articulation used in producing the set of sounds [f], [v], [θ], [ð], [s], [z], [ʃ], [ʒ] involves almost blocking the air stream and having the air push through the very narrow opening. As the air is pushed through, a type of friction is produced and the resulting sounds are called fricatives. If you put your open hand in front of your mouth when making these sounds, [f] and [s] in particular, you should be able to feel the stream of air being pushed out. The usual pronunciation of the word fish begins and ends with the voiceless fricatives [f] and [ʃ].

Affricates

Affricate (alloy), which is produced by the air flow means premises sealed, but then released gradually. For instance,[c], [j]. If you combine a brief stopping of the air stream with an obstructed release which causes some friction, you will be able to produce the sounds [ʧ] and [ʤ]. These are called affricates and occur at the beginning of the words cheap and jeep. In the first of these, there is a voiceless affricate [ʧ], and in the second, a voiced affricate [ʤ].

Nasals

Nasal, the sound produced by means of air out through the nasal cavity, with closed mouth and open wide velik. Most sounds are produced orally, with the velum raised, preventing airflow from entering the nasal cavity. However, when the velum is lowered and the air stream is allowed to flow out through the nose to produce [m], [n] and [ŋ], the sounds are described as nasals. These three sounds are all voiced. The words morning, knitting and name begin and end with nasals.

Liquids

The initial sounds in led and red are described as liquids. They are both voiced. The [l] sound is called a lateral liquid and is formed by letting the air stream flow around the sides of the tongue as the tip of the tongue makes contact with the middle of the alveolar ridge. The [r] sound at the beginning of red is formed with the tongue tip raised and curled back near the alveolar ridge.

Glides

The sounds [w] and [j] are described as glides. They are both voiced and occur at the beginning of           us, wet, you and yes. These sounds are typically produced with the tongue in motion (or “gliding”) to or from the position of a vowel and are sometimes called semi-vowels.

Glottal stops and flaps

The glottal stop, represented by the symbol [ʔ], occurs when the space between the vocal folds (the glottis) is closed completely (very briefly), then released. Try saying the expression Oh oh!. Between the first Oh and the second oh, we typically produce a glottal stop. If, however, you are someone who pronounces the word butter in a way that is close to “budder” then you are making a flap. It is represented by [D] or sometimes [ɾ]. This sound is produced by the tongue tip tapping the alveolar ridge briefly.

Vowels

While the consonant sounds are mostly articulated via closure or obstruction in the vocal tract, vowel sounds are produced with a relatively free flow of air. They are all typically voiced. To describe vowel sounds, we consider the way in which the tongue influences the shape through which the airflow must pass. To talk about a place of articulation, we think of the space inside the mouth as having a front versus a back and a high versus a low area.

Diphthongs

In addition to single vowel sounds, we regularly create sounds that consist of a combination of two vowel sounds, known as diphthongs. When we produce diphthongs, our vocal organs move from one vocalic position [a] to another [ɪ] aswe produce the sound [aɪ], as in Hi or Bye. The movement in this diphthong is from low towards high front.

Subtle individual variation

Vowel sounds are notorious for varying between one variety of English and the next, often being a key element in what we recognize as different accents. So, you may feel that some of the words offered in the earlier lists as examples don’t seem to be pronounced with the vowel sounds exactly as listed. Also, some of the sound distinctions shown here may not even be used regularly in your own speech. It may be, for example, that you make no distinction between the vowels in the words caught and cot and use [ɑ] in both.

B. The sound patterns of language

Every people have different mouth to pronounce the word in english.  In linguistic we should know about the science of sound patterns in language. The sound pattern have some branches of science there are  phonology, phonemes, phones and allophones, minimal pairs and sets, phonotactics, syllable, coarticulation effects, assimilation, elision, and normal speech.

Phonology

Phonology is essentially the description of the systems and patterns of speech sounds in a language. We should learn phonology to knows about the sound pattern of that language.  Phonology is about the underlying , the blueprint of each sounds type, which serves as the constants basis of all the variations in different physical articulations of that sounds type in different contexts.  We can see that phonology in concerned with the abstract set of sounds in a language that allows us to distinguish meaning in the actual physical soundswe say and hear.

Phoneme

Each  one of these meaning distinguishing sounds in a language is described by phoneme. Phoneme is the symbol of sounds type. For example /v/ has the features  [+ voice, + labiodental, + fricative] and so cannot be in the same “natural” sounds like /p/ and /k/.

Phones and allophones

While the phoneme is the abstract unit or sound type in the mid  different versions with of that sounds type reguraly produced in actual speech in the mouth, we candescribethose different versions as phones.

When we have a set of phones , all of which  are versions of  one phoneme we add the prefix allo and refer to them as allophones. For example the alphabet [T]  sound in the word tar is normally pronounced with a stronger puff of air than is present in the [t] sounds in the word star.

Minimal pairs and sets

Phonemic distinctions in a language can be tested via pairs and sets of a word. The words such as pat and bat are  identical in form expect fora contrast in one phoneme.

Phonotactics

Phonotactics is the type ofexercise to involving minimal set also  allows us to see that there are definite patterns in the types of sound combination permitted in language.

Syllable

Syllables is must containt of a vowel or vowel like sound, including difthong. The most common type ofa  sylabble in language also has a consonant before the vowel.

consonant clusters

Both the onset and the coda can consist of more than oneconsonant also known as consonant clusters.

coarticulation effects

If we speak in english, coarticulation effects its very important when we speak. Mostly that our talk is fast and spontaneous and it requires to our articulator  to move from one sound to the next without stopping.

Assimilation

Assimilation is when in two sound segments occur in sequence and some aspects of one segment is take or copied by the other.

Elision

Elission is the process of not pronouncing a sound segment that might be present in the delibrately careful pronounciation of a word in isolation.

Normal speech

In fact, consistently avoiding the regular patterns of assimilation and elision used in a language would result in extremely artificial-sounding talk. The point of investigating these phonological processes is not to arrive at a set of rules about how a language should be pronounced, but to try to come to an understanding of the regularities and patterns which underlie the actual use of sounds in language.

CHAPTER III

CLOSING

A. CONCLUSION

For every student who is English language course to learn about the sounds of language and the sound pattern of language. The sounds of language in various location of pronunciation. This is because in the English language many words the same pronunciation but different meanings. Therefore, in studying the sounds of language many parts that must be understood first. While the sound patterns of language is a sound pattern of language that comes out of the speech. Many patterns used in speech English. Therefore, for students who study on this subject should be more active in understanding it.

B. ADVICE

Based on the contents of this paper, the authors provide advice to the reader who studied this material, that is:

1. Must often practice in pronunciation English

2. Must be a full analysis of the strong to understand this material.