FEATURE S OF THE ENGLISH SPEECH

5. WORD CONNECTION

Overview of todays lecture

Connected speech defined Is connected speech casual? Key features of connected speech Student learning challenges

Introduction

In spoken discourse, English words typically run together. They arent pronounced in an isolated fashion within the stream of speech.

I think

that

a clear enunciation

is

awfully

necessary,

dont you?

The law of economy

According to Clarey & Dixson (1963), this results from a simple law of economy, whereby the organs of speech, instead of taking a new position for each sound, tend to draw sounds together with the purpose of saving time and energy.

Is connected speech casual?

Some researchers classify connected speech as something that occurs in fast, informal, relaxed or casual speech.

Authentic Spoken English!

Others characterize connected speech as naturally occurring talk or real spoken English.

Possible conclusions

Connected speech is found in all registers and all rates of speech; it is characteristic of spoken English. Register and rate may contribute to some rules of appropriateness or production. However, in general, reduced forms affect all areas and all types of spoken English. Rogerson (2006)

Linking / Liaison

Gotcha!

Overview

It is the sound that matters, not the spelling.

They tell me the dime easier to understand. They tell me that Im easier to understand.

Linking / Liaison

Keep Out! Keep Out! K-E-E-P O-U-T.

Overview

AmE liaisons: Vowel & Vowel Consonant & Vowel Consonant & Consonant T, D, S, Z & the Y sound

BrE Liaison: Vowel to Vowel

Liaison: Vowel & Vowel

/y/ glide and /w/ glide

Spelling be able
I am do it go away

Pronunciation be(y)able
I(y)am do(w)it go(w)away

Liaison: Consonant & Vowel

a cup of tea a cupevtea

Spelling a cup_of tea switch_off Pronunciation a cupevtea switchoff

fried_egg

friedegg

Liaison: Consonant & Vowel

By Russian standards, Tashtagol is a tiny little town just twenty-thousand people, a few streets and a handful of roads. So you may be surprised to learn that traffic problems here have been causing chaos not because of cars but because of cows.

Liaison: Consonant & Consonant

GEMINATION
Spelling stop pushing bad dog handsome man Pronunciation stoppushing baddog handsomeman

Liaison: Consonant & Consonant

AFFRICATIVE (STOP) + AFFRICATIVE The first consonant is unreleased.

Spelling pep talk pet cat black bag bad check fat judge Pronunciation pe(p)talk pe(t)cat bla(ck)bag ba(d)check fa(t)judge

Liaison: Consonant & Consonant

Im a bit tired. We have a lot to do. Tell me what to say. Sit down. Ive finished it. I finished it.

Shes slept for three hours. She slept for three hours.

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y
COAELESCENT ASSIMILATION Sound A + Sound B = Sound C

T + Y = CH D + Y = J S + Y = SH Z + Y = ZH

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

T + Y = CH
stature actually

Is

that your dog? Don't you like it?

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

D+Y=J
graduation procedure

Would

you mind moving? Did you like it? What did you do?

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

S + Y = SH
insurance issue

sugar
Hes

coming this year.

Liaison: T, D, S, Z + Y

Z + Y = ZH
casual pleasure

usual
Does

your mother know? How's your family?

Linking with /r/ (BrE)

Intrusive /r/ Africa(r) and Asia banana(r) and almonds vodka(r) and tonics I saw(r) a film today.

Student learning challenges

Classroom teachers often overarticulate to facilitate learner comprehension. Listening materials are full of clearly pronounced and articulated speech. Language learners often develop their listening and speaking skills based on these false premises.

Student learning challenges

When they encounter authentic NS discourse, learners are often shocked to find that NSs dont speak in the ways that they expect. The language outside of the classroom seems unfamiliar and fast. Students are unable to decipher word boundaries or recognize words or phrases. Students who do not receive instruction or exposure to authentic discourse are going to have a very rude awakening when they try to understand native speech in natural communicative situations.