Mid term test 2 on phonetics phonology (2)

HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY MID-TERM TEST ON PHONETICS & PHONOLOGY E-LEARNING CENTRE Test No: BÀI GIẢI BÀI TỰ LUẬN Question 1: How does phonology differ from phonetics? Question 2: What is a vowel? How are vowels classified? Give examples to illustrate your answer N.B:* -The answers can be typed or written by hand, then changed into PDF form (HANDWRITING IS PLUS) -Only answers in PDF form are accepted -The assignment which is copied or identical to others will be given mark Question 1: How does phonology differ from phonetics? Phonology and phonetics are two branches of linguistics that study different aspects of speech sounds While they are closely related and complementary, they focus on distinct aspects of the sound system in language Phonetics: Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds It deals with the articulation (how speech sounds are produced), acoustic properties (how speech sounds are transmitted as sound waves), and auditory perception (how speech sounds are perceived by the human ear) Phonetics is concerned with the actual, concrete sounds used in language, regardless of their linguistic function or meaning It is primarily descriptive and empirical, involving the measurement and analysis of speech sounds using instruments and tools like spectrographs and waveform displays Phonetics aims to classify and transcribe speech sounds from various languages and dialects Phonology: Phonology is the study of the abstract, mental representations of speech sounds and their systematic organization within a particular language Phonology deals with the function and patterns of speech sounds, including how they interact with each other to form meaningful units like syllables, words, and phrases It is concerned with the phonological rules and processes that govern the distribution and behavior of speech sounds in a given language Phonology involves analyzing and understanding the underlying structures and patterns that speakers use to produce and interpret language In summary, phonetics is concerned with the physical properties and actual sounds of language, while phonology focuses on the abstract mental representations and the patterns of sound organization within a specific language Phonetics provides the foundation for understanding speech sounds, and phonology delves into the systematic rules that shape their usage in a linguistic context Question 2: What is a vowel? How are vowels classified? Give examples to illustrate your answer A vowel is a speech sound produced without any significant constriction or closure in the vocal tract Unlike consonants, which involve some degree of obstruction of the airflow, vowels are characterized by a relatively open vocal tract, allowing the free flow of air Vowels are classified based on two main articulatory features: Tongue Position: This refers to the height and front-back placement of the tongue in the mouth during the production of the vowel - High Vowels: The tongue is positioned high in the mouth Examples include /i/ as in "beet" and /u/ as in "boot." - Mid Vowels: The tongue is positioned at a middle height in the mouth Examples include /e/ as in "bet" and /o/ as in "boat." - Low Vowels: The tongue is positioned low in the mouth Examples include /æ/ as in "cat" and /ɑ/ as in "father." Lip Rounding: This refers to the shape of the lips during the production of the vowel - Rounded Vowels: The lips are rounded Examples include /u/ as in "boot" and /ɔ/ as in "caught." - Unrounded Vowels: The lips are not rounded Examples include /i/ as in "beet" and /æ/ as in "cat." Examples: High Front Vowel: - /i/ as in "beet" (high front vowel, unrounded) Mid Back Vowel: - /o/ as in "boat" (mid back vowel, rounded) Low Front Vowel: - /æ/ as in "cat" (low front vowel, unrounded) High Back Vowel: - /u/ as in "boot" (high back vowel, rounded) Mid Front Vowel: - /e/ as in "bet" (mid front vowel, unrounded) Low Back Vowel: - /ɑ/ as in "father" (low back vowel, unrounded) These examples illustrate how vowels are produced and classified based on their tongue position and lip rounding The variations in tongue height and lip configuration result in the different vowel sounds we hear in various languages