28. Sentence stress in English

 

In Linguistics, stress or accent is the relative emphasis or prominence given to a certain syllable in a word or sentence.

Sentence stress in English is the way a speaker highlights certain words in a sentence. It helps the listener focus on important parts and understand the speaker’s meaning. If stress is not used or used incorrectly, listener can misinterpret the intended meaning.

Ex:-  “Is it brunch tomorrow.”

         “No, it’s dinner tomorrow.”

In it the stress syllable is ‘din’ in dinner which is louder and longer.

Ex:-  “I didn’t take the test yesterday.”(somebody else did)

         “I didn’t take the test yesterday.”(I did not take it)

You can’t choose where to put stress in a word but you can choose where to place in sentence. Stressing the different word can change the meaning.

-Submitted by Chirag

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Sentence stress refers to the arrangement of emphasized and deemphasized words within a sentence. When speaking in English, some syllables are uttered louder than others. Stressed syllables are those that are uttered with greater force than the others. Unstressed syllables are those that are uttered softly. According to Roach (1993, p. 85–86), stressed syllables are distinguished from unstressed syllables by their greater significance. This is the one trait that all stressed syllables share in common.

It would be worthwhile to use Clifford et al. (1985, p. 19) to emphasize how crucial it is to educate students to emphasize the proper syllables while pronouncing English words. They state that stress plays a crucial role in pronunciation and that the exact spot of the accent should always be learned with the word.

 

-Submitted  by  Muhammed Nahiyan ArchaValappil

27.Word stress in English

 

1.Word stress, also called lexical stress, is an important suprasegmental feature in English because it determines so many other aspects of pronunciation.

2.In English we don’t say each syllable with the same force or strength. In one word, we accentuate one syllable. We say one syllable very loudly(big, strong, important) and all the other syllable very quietly.

3.For example , •PHO-TO-GRAPH

3 syllables, stress on #1

•PHO-TO-GRAPH-ER

                              4 syllables, stress on #2

•PHO- TO- GRAPH -IC

                             4 syllables, stress on #3

Submitted  by Diya  MG.

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Word stress in English refers to the emphasis placed on certain syllables within a word. It often involves louder pitch, longer duration, and a higher pitch. It plays a pivotal role in the pronunciation and overall communication of the English language. Proper understanding and application of word stress are essential for effective verbal communication. Word stress can significantly alter the meaning of a word. For example, in the word "banana," the stress falls on the second syllable: ba-NA-na. In the word "photograph," the primary stress falls on the second syllable ("PHO-to-graph"), while the first syllable carries a secondary stress

-Submitted  by  Neha C.

26. Speech sounds in English: Consonants

 "Consonant speech sounds: the articulate building blocks that sculpt the language melody."

Consonants are speech sounds produced by obstructing or restricting the airflow in some way as it passes through the vocal tract. In English, these sounds can be classified based on three main features: voicing, place of articulation, and manner of articulation. Examples are [p] and [b], pronounced with the lips; [t] and [d], pronounced with the front of the tongue; [h], pronounced in the throat; [f], [v], and [s], pronounced by forcing air through a narrow channel (fricatives); and [m] and [n], which have air flowing through the nose (nasals).

-Submitted by  Nadhi AS.

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Consonants are the vital elements of the language. In the rich tapestry of speech sounds, consonants play a fundamental role in shaping our words, our expressions, and our communication.

Consonants are the building blocks that give structure and definition to our language. They form the framework upon which we articulate our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Without them, our words would lack precision and clarity. Consider the versatility of consonants. From the soft 's' whispering like a breeze to the resounding 'b' that echoes with strength, each consonant carries its own unique identity and sound. They combine effortlessly, weaving a symphony of speech that reflects the diversity and complexity of human expression.

 -Submitted by Shivansh Yadav

 

25. Speech sounds in English: Diphthongs

 English diphthongs consist of a combination of two vowel sounds within the same syllable. The main diphthongs in English include:

 

*/eɪ/ as in "day": Begins with a sound close to /e/ and glides into /ɪ/

 

*/aɪ/ as in "sky":  Starts with a sound close to /a/ and glides into /ɪ/

 

* /ɔɪ/ as in "coin":  Begins with a sound close to /ɔ/ and glides into /ɪ/

 

* /aʊ/ as in "house": Starts with a sound close to /a/ and glides into /ʊ/

 

These diphthongs contribute to the rich and varied vowel sounds in English pronunciation.

                                                       

-Submitted by Adheena P  

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English Diphthongs are dynamic combinations of vowel sounds that lend a distinctive musicality to our language.

 

1./oʊ/ - as in "go":

In the word "go," feel the shift from the "o" to the rounded "ʊ." This diphthong encapsulates a harmonious blend, creating a distinct auditory contour.

 

2./aɪ̯/ - as in "my":

 In the word "my," notice the gliding transition from the "a" sound to the close front unrounded vowel, represented by the small "ɪ̯." It's a subtle but essential diphthong.

 

3./aɪ/ - as in "time":

Picture the arc your tongue makes, starting with the "a" sound and smoothly gliding into the "ɪ" sound. Together, they create the diphthong in "time," a fusion of two distinct vowel qualities.

 

4./aʊə/ - as in "power":

The diphthong in "power" seamlessly combines the /aʊ/ and /ə/ sounds, creating a dynamic transition from the open "a" to the neutral schwa sound "ə."

 

Understanding these diphthongs not only enhances your language skills but also provides a deeper appreciation for the intricate orchestration of sounds in English

-Submitted by   Shaima Allipra

 

24.Speech sound in English: Vowels

 

“With a gun barrel between your teeth, you speak only with vowels”

-  Chuck Palahniuk

 Speech sounds in English, specially vowels, plays a crucial role in pronunciation. Vowels are  produced with an open vocal tractand characterized by absence of constriction in the oral  cavity. They are classified based on tongue position and lip rounding. Examples include the  short “e” in pen and the long “o” in go.

In English, there are five primary vowel sounds:A, E, I,O,U. These can be further  classified into short and long vowels on their duration.

Vowel sounds play a crucial role in shaping the pronunciation and overall rhythm of words in  English.

 -Submitted  by Athulya C.

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Vowels are letters that represent speech sounds where air leaves the mouth without any blockage by the tongue, lips, or throat. It’s important to note that the distinction between consonants and vowels is based on their role in forming sounds rather than their status as letters in the alphabet.

In English, the word vowel is commonly used to refer both to vowel sounds and to the written symbols that represent them - a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w and y are considered as vowels. W and Y are considered as vowel when it represents a vowel sound. Examples: twice and law for w and gym and cry for y vowel sound.

Mastering vowel sounds is a foundational element in language learning and contributes to overall linguistic competence.

-Submitted by  Shamna CT.

23.Intelligibility in speech

 Intelligibility in speech refers to the clarity and ease with which spoken words are understood.

Clear pronunciation, proper enunciation, and a balanced pace enhance intelligibility.

 As Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once said, "Speak clearly, if you speak at all." This emphasizes the importance of articulation and pronunciation. For instance, a lecturer enunciating each word distinctly enhances comprehension, while a mumbled conversation might hinder understanding. Intelligibility ensures effective communication, fostering engagement and conveying ideas accurately.

 

-Submitted  by  Fathima Nida MC.

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  The worst speech you’ll ever give,

Will be far better than the one you never give

                     - Fred Miller

 Intelligibility in speech refers to how easily spoken language can be understood. Clear pronunciation, appropriate pacing, and effective use of language contribute to higher intelligibility. Factors like accent, background noise, and articulation impact overall comprehension. A speaker enunciates each word clearly, maintains a moderate pace, and uses varied intonation. This approach enhances intelligibility, making the message easily understood by the audience.

 -Submitted by Rajil

 

22.Difference between English and Malayalam pronunciation

 

English and Malayalam are two different languages with distinct phonetics system. They differ in terms of pronunciation, phonology and phonetics. English is a stress timed language, emphasizes stressed syllables and create a rhythmic pattern. It includes vast array of vowels and consonant sounds with distinct vowel contrast. Malayalam maintains more uniform syllable lengths. It requires tongue to curl back and contrast between short and long vowels. Malayalam incorporates pitch variations that can alter word meanings, distinguishing it from English.

-Submitted  by  Muhammed Jiyad KV.

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English and Malayalam have distinct phonetic systems. Malayalam has more vowel sounds and a different set of consonant sounds compared to English. Malayalam tends to have equal stress on syllables while English often has variable stress patterns within words. All Malayalam consonants have an inherent unmarked a-sound therefore we use this a-sound when reciting the alphabet. There’re also distinctive differences in the use of diphthongs and intonation patterns.

 

References

English spoken by speakers of Dravidian languages: A phonetic analysis.Academia.edu

https://www.academia.edu/35491512/English_spoken_by_the_Speakers_of_Dravidian_Languages_A_phonetic_Analysis

Malayalam pronunciation. The basics. Malayalam at the  University of Texas at Austin.

https://sites.utexas.edu/malayalam/oer/malayalam-pronunciation-the-basics/

 

-Submitted by   Neeraja.N.Namboodiri