Theoretical Phonetics of the English Language

PHONETIC FEATURES IN MODERN ENGLISH

Phonetics as a Science

• The phonetic system of a language
• The connection of phonetics with other branches of linguistics
• The branches of phonetics

The phonetic system of a language

The phonetic system

• segmental level
• vocalic subsystem
• consonantal subsystem
• suprasegmental or prosodic level

(the patterns of stress and intonation in a language )

• pitch
• stress
• rhythm
• tempo
• pauses

The phonetic system of a language

“To speak any language a person must know nearly 100 % of its phonetics, while only 50-90% of its grammar and 1% of the vocabulary may be sufficient.”

Alfred Charles Gimson,

an English phonetician

The phonetic system of a language

• Phonetics has a long history. It was known to ancient Greeks and Hindus. But as a science it began to develop in the second half of the 19th century.
• Phonetics is closely connected with lexicology, grammar and stylistics as (т.к.) the phonetic system of a language, its vocabulary and grammar constitute one indivisible whole.

The connection of phonetics with other branches of linguistics

Grammar:

• reading rules

/t/

-(e)d /d/

/id/

/s/

-(e)s /z/

/iz/

The connection of phonetics with other branches of linguistics

Grammar:

• reading rules
• sound interchange

/f – v/ leaf - leaves

/u: - i:/ goose - geese

/i – æ – Λ / begin – began - begun