English Linguistics and Phonology Notes

Introduction

• Professor: P. Forchini (A-K & L-Z)

• Email: pierfranca.forchini@unicatt.it

Key Phonetic Differences Between English and Italian

• /t/ and /d/:
  - In English, these are alveolar sounds.
  - In Italian, these are dental sounds.
  - Example: "DID YOU DO IT?"

Articulatory Phonetics: Consonant Chart

• Voicing:
  - Unvoiced: -V
  - Voiced: +V

• Places of Articulation:
  - Bilabial: Involves both lips.
  - Labio-dental: Involves lips and teeth.
  - Dental: Involves teeth.
  - Alveolar: Involves the alveolar ridge.
  - Palato-alveolar: Involves palate and alveolar ridge.
  - Palatal: Involves the palate.
  - Velar: Involves the velum.
  - Glottal: Involves the glottis.

• Manner of Articulation:
  - Stops:
  - -V: /p/, /t/, /k/, /ʔ/ (glottal stop)
  - +V: /b/, /d/, /g/
  - Details: Stops involve complete obstruction of the vocal tract.
  - Fricatives:
  - -V: /f/, /θ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /h/
  - +V: /v/, /ð/, /z/, /ʒ/
  - Details: Fricatives involve narrow constriction, creating turbulent airflow.
  - Affricates:
  - -V: /tʃ/
  - +V: /dʒ/
  - Details: Affricates start as stops and end as fricatives.
  - Nasals:
  - +V: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/
  - Details: Nasals involve airflow through the nasal cavity.
  - Lateral (Approximant):
  - +V: /l/
  - Details: Laterals involve airflow along the sides of the tongue.
  - Approximants:
  - +V: /j/, /w/
  - Details: Approximants involve some constriction, but not enough to cause turbulence.

The /l/ Sound

• /l/ sound:
  - Clear /l/: Occurs before a vowel. Represented as 【/1/.
  - Dark /l/: Occurs before a consonant or at the end of a word. Represented as 米.
  - Neutral /l/: Tongue body is neutral or raised.
  - Examples:
  - Billy: Bi【/1/y
  - Wild: Wi米d
  - Latte
  - Later
  - Milk

The /r/ Sound

• /r/ sound:
  - Bunched
  - Retroflex
  - Trilled: Represented as ☑r

Palato-Alveolar Sounds

• Articulation: Tip of the tongue approaches the rear part of the alveolar ridge.

• Examples: /ʃ/ (devoiced she, special, ocean, luxury), /ʒ/ (voiced vision, measure, beige).

• 1 symbol = 1 distinguishable sound.

Affricates /tʃ/ and /dʒ/

• /tʃ/: Devoiced (cheese, capture).

• /dʒ/: Voiced (jam, edge, soldier).

• 1 symbol = 1 distinguishable sound.

Palatal Sounds

• Articulation: Middle part of the tongue approaches the roof of the oral cavity.

• Only one in English: /j/.

Velar Sounds

• Articulation: Back of the tongue is brought into contact with the velum or soft palate.

• Examples: Stops /k/, /g/ and Nasal /ŋ/.

Contrasting /n/ and /ŋ/

• /n/: Alveolar

• /ŋ/: Velar

• Examples: SIN – SON – IN vs. SING – SONG – <-ING>
  - Italian examples: ANCHE, ANCORA, ANCA