Eng Lang Yr 11 Metalanguage

Phonetics and phonology

Phonetics is the study of how we make speech sounds and how we

organise these sounds. Phonology is the study of the patterns that

speech sounds form within a language.

Morphology

Morphology is the study of words and their parts. Each word is

made up of morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning

within a word.

Lexicology

Lexicology is the study of words and how they behave within a

language.

Syntax

Syntax is the study of how words are ordered into phrases, clauses

and sentences.

Discourse and pragmatics

Discourse refers to written or spoken texts that are longer than a

sentence. Pragmatics is the study of how language is used within a

given context, and how context contributes to meaning.

Semantics

Semantics involves the study of understanding and meaning in

communication, including both logical meaning and lexical

(dictionary) meaning).

Phonetics

Vowel reduction

In unstressed syllables, vowels often become less distinct and are reduced to a more central vowel,

typically a schwa /ə/. For instance, the vowel sound in the first syllable of ‘banana’ is reduced – it is

not pronounced with the same quality as the stressed vowel in the second syllable.

Elision

Elision involves the omission of a sound or syllable in spoken language, such as in the contraction of

phrases. For instance, ‘I have’ is frequently contracted to ‘I've’ in speech, with elision of the ‘h’ and

‘a’ sounds.

Insertion

Insertion involves the addition of sounds. This often happens for ease of pronunciation. For example,

the word ‘warmth’ often has an extra /p/ sound inserted in some dialects, making it sound like

‘warmpth’

Prosodic features of speech

Prosodic features are elements of our voices that affect whole sequences of syllables. In VCE English

Language, we consider pitch, intonation, stress, tempo and volume.

Pitch

Pitch is the relative height, ranging between high and low, of auditory sound

Intonation

Intonation relates to the patterns of pitch variation across phrases, clauses and sentences.

Stress

Stress is the intensity that is placed upon a syllable within a word. The speaker may increase the

length, volume or pitch of the syllable compared to its surrounding syllables, to create emphasis.