English Phonetics dense and terse description
Table of Contents
Glossary
Natural language is a system of communication consisting of symbols, sounds, and rules used by humans to convey meaning, uniquely shaped by cultural and social contexts.
In this article Natural language will be viewed only as an acoustic communication system used by humans to convey meaning and information through sound.
Preface
Components of Acoustic Communication
Phonetics
Each language possesses its own unique phonetic system, which
comprises a collection of sounds used for communication. These sounds,
known as phonemes, are the smallest units of sound that can
distinguish meaning in a language.
Phonology
Understanding how these sounds function and interact in particular languages helps to form words and sentences. Phonological rules govern how phonemes can be combined and pronounced.
Intonation and Stress
Every language has specific patterns of intonation and stress that convey different meanings and emotions. These variations can change the intent or meaning of a sentence even when the words remain the same.
Differences in Natural Languages
Varieties in Phonetic Structures
Natural languages often have differing phonetic inventories, resulting in variations in sounds that languages are capable of producing. Some languages might have more complex sound systems with a greater number of distinct sounds, while others might have simpler systems.
Cultural and Regional Influences
The sound systems of natural languages are also shaped by cultural and geographical factors, leading to diverse auditory experiences across different linguistic groups.
Note
Natural language functions as a powerful acoustic communication system, utilizing specific sounds, patterns, and rules. These elements allow for the rich expression of ideas, emotions, and meaning, all while accommodating the vast diversity found in human language globally.
English Spelling
English has a rather unusual spelling system that reflects the pronunciation of the English language from the 12th to 14th centuries. This is explained by the fact that with the introduction of printing, English spelling became fixed early on, while the sound structure of the language has since undergone a number of significant changes. All of this is complicated by the influence of other languages on English, which has led to a large number of spelling exceptions. Therefore, English dictionaries typically include transcriptions to reflect the actual pronunciation of words.
Phonetic Transcription
[fə(u)ˈnetɪk trænsˈkrɪpʃ(ə)n]) — This is a graphic representation of a word's pronunciation, designed to accurately reflect the pronunciation, where each individual sound is represented by a specific symbol that eliminates ambiguous reading.
Primarily in English dictionaries, the International Phonetic Alphabet is used for transcription.
International Phonetic Alphabet
[ˌɪntərˈnæʃ(ə)nl fə(u)ˈnetɪk ˈælfəbet], "IPA"[ˌaɪ.piːˈeɪ] — is a standardized system of phonetic notation devised by linguists to accurately and uniquely represent the sounds of spoken languages. It was created to provide a consistent and universal method of transcribing the sounds of all human languages, overcoming the limitations and variations of traditional orthography. Each symbol in the IPA corresponds to a specific speech sound, ensuring clarity in pronunciation across different languages and dialects. The IPA includes symbols for consonants, vowels, suprasegmentals (like stress and intonation), and diacritics, which modify the sounds further.
By using IPA, linguists, language learners, and educators can communicate pronunciation details precisely, facilitating better understanding and teaching of linguistic nuances.
Note #1
To separate phonetic transcription from other text, it is enclosed in square brackets […] or slashes ….
Note #2
Sometimes, for ease of working with fonts or for more familiar perception, transcription symbols different from the IPA may be used. Additionally, different variants of English have some differences in the pronunciation of the same words. As a result, transcriptions in different dictionaries may vary slightly.
The Phonemic Table
Figure 1: English Phonetics