Phonetics

Phonetics

adapted from a 22 Nov 96 post by Don Blaheda
Note:this page needs links.

Ok, Here are my attempts at some of the topics... feel free to criticize.

1. Phonology Phonology is the basic sound structure of a language--what sounds occur within that language and in what combinations they occur.
- 1.1.1 Point of articulation
  The "Point of articulation" describes the configuration of the mouth for making a given sound. For consonants, this description is given by the point along the roof of the mouth which the tongue contacts; for vowels, the point given is a two-dimensional specification of where the tongue sits (front-back, high-low).
  - 1.1.1.1 Bilabial--"with both lips", e.g. English 'p', 'b', 'm'.
  - 1.1.1.2 Labiodental--"lips and teeth", e.g. English 'f', 'v'.
  - 1.1.1.3 Interdental--"between teeth", e.g. English 'th'.
  - 1.1.1.4 Dental--"teeth"; some languages pronounce 't' or 'd' with the tongue touching the back of the teeth. English 's' is sometimes formed this far forward.
  - 1.1.1.5 Alveolar--behind the teeth; e.g. standard English 't', 'd'.
  - 1.1.1.6 Palatal--on the palate; the 'ly' sound of English "million" is palatal. Spanish '=F1' (n with ~) is palatal, also.
  - 1.1.1.7 Velar--on the "velum", near the back of the mouth; e.g. English 'k', 'g'.
  - 1.1.1.8 Uvular--by the "uvula", farther in the back of the mouth; e.g. German, Scottish "ch", French "r".
  - 1.1.1.9 Glottal--at the "glottis", in the throat; English has a glottal stop at the beginning and middle of the interjection "uh-oh", for instance.

Note to faqmakers/critiquers: the above list is not meant to be an exhaustive list of sounds at a particular POA, it is merely meant to give faqreaders a point of reference.

1.1.2 Method of articulation
Most points of articulation have multiple sounds located there, which are differentiated based on how the sound is made.
- 1.1.2.1 Stop
  For a "stop" (aka "plosive") sound, the flow of air stops briefly; e.g. English 'p', 't', 'k', 'b'. =20
- 1.1.2.2 Fricative
  "Fricative" (aka "spirant"?) sound, airflow continues through the sound; e.g. English 'th', 's', 'sh'.
- 1.1.2.3 Nasal Nasal sounds are produced when airflow through the mouth is obstructed but continues to flow through the nasal cavity; e.g. English 'n', 'm', 'ng'. (Try holding your nose and making these sounds--it won't work.)

1.2 Phones, phonemes, allophones, and the IPA Phonemes are the basic units of the phonology. It is by differentiating phonemes that we understand spoken language.

1.2.1 What is the difference between "phone" and "phoneme"?
Although linguists usually speak in terms of phonemes, occasionally it becomes necessary to make finer distinctions. For this, "phones" are used. In general, a "phone" is much more specific about a certain sound being made.

1.2.2 Okay, so what's an allophone then?
One phone is said to be "an allophone of" or "allophonic with" another if they can be represented by the same phoneme. For instance, take the English words "top" and "stop". The 't' represents a different phone in each (the former is aspirated, the latter not), but because English speakers perceive them as "basically the same", they are allophonic, both part of the /t/ phoneme.

1.2.3 How do I tell what's an allophone?
Generally, the conditions under which different phones are allophonic are very well-defined. (For instance, in English the 'n' in "bank" always represents an eng, whereas an eng for the 'n' in "nice" would sound extremely odd.) Some languages, however, do have "free allophony", where any of a number of phones will work as a certain phoneme, and all are equally acceptable. Auxiliary languages often exhibit this behaviour as concessions to their multinational audience.

1.2.4 What is the IPA?
"IPA" stands for "International Phonetic Alphabet", and it is a character set which is used in linguistics circles to transcribe spoken language. It utilises a number of characters not only foreign to English, but also foreign to any language. Here follows a list of common IPA symbols, their ASCII approximations, and a description of the sound they represent. (Examples in English unless noted)

/a/ 'a' in "far" ('a', w/ tail above)
/A/ 'a' in "father" ('a', w/o tail above)
/&/ 'a' in "fat" (ae ligature)
/b/ 'b' in "boy" ('b')
/B/ 'b' in Spanish "haber" (greek beta)
/c/ 'ch' in German "ich" (c w/ cedilla)
...etc...

1.2.5 How do I tell if someone is referring to a phone or a phoneme?
There are a few conventions that are generally followed. Typically phonemic transcriptions are denoted by slashes, e.g. /f&t/, while phonic transcriptions are denoted by square brackets, e.g. [lI?l]. Quotes, then, denote the words themselves ("fat", "little").

Return to Conlang-related topics|Back to FAQ page