Theoretical phonetics. Study guide for second year students. Борискина О.О - 8 стр.

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2. How are English vowels classified on the articulatory and acoustic levels?
3. What does stability of articulation specify? How are vowels subdivided
according to this principle? Is the situation seen similarly by different
phoneticians?
4. What classifying principle do you think different vowel charts share?
Compare the IPA vowel chart and the North American English vowel chart(s).
Are there any differences? If yes, how can you account for them? Ref. [Celce-
M., 1996, SRM, pp.63-64 ].
5. Why is vowel length not considered a minimal distinctive feature? What
factors does it depend on? Use a specific vowel sound to illustrate your answer.
6. Fill in the gaps in the following conclusion:
“ phonological analysis of articulatory features of English vowels allows us to
consider the following two characteristics functionally relevant:
a)__________________________b)________________________. The rest of
the features mentioned above, that is ________, _________, and _________ are
indispensable constituents of vowel quality.” Ref. [Соколова, 2004, pp. 78-86;
Соколова, 2003, pp. 85-89; Bryson,1990, SRM, pp. 49-54].

Task 11. As noted, vowels can be difficult both for the teacher to describe and
for the student to master. This is partially because the articulatory characteristics
of vowels cannot be pinned down as precisely as those of consonants. A second
reason why vowels can be so difficult is due to the relative complexity of the
English vowel system – especially if compared to the vowel system of your
native language.
1. What do you consider to be the greatest challenges in teaching vowels?
2. Are there typical difficulties for native speakers of your language?

Task 12. Further practice: Ref. [Hancock,2004, pp.30-48, 142].

Task 13. Vowels as well as consonants have no meaning of their own but they
can render communicative meaning.
A: Study some vowel interjections with communicative meaning in English and
transcribe them.

VOWELS WITH COMMUNICATIVE MEANING IN ENGLISH
 Written Pronounced Used to express      In response to/(situation)
 Ahhh!       [α]     Satisfaction,  (You step into a nice hot tub./You
                       relaxation   take a sip of refreshing iced tea on
                                                 a hot day.)
  Aw.        [ɔ:]     Sympathy,             “My dog just died.”
                    disappointment
  Ow!       [aw]          Pain        (A door slams on your finger.)

  Oh?          [ow]         Mild surprise,     “The new Woody Allen movie is
                               interest               opening tonight.”