Chapter 2 The Sounds of Language 2.2.5 Variations of sounds Key points 1. Liaison 2. Elision and assimilation Difficult points Elision Assimilation Liaison We sometimes link words together. Such as [r], a word beginning with a vowel follows: here are Such a phenomenon of the linking of words in speech, in particular when the second word begins with a vowel, is called liaison. Elision Some sounds may disappear. The loss of a sound or sounds in speech like these is called elision. Assimilation sounds belonging to one word or one syllable can cause changes in sounds belonging to neighboring words or syllables. This is called assimilation. Regressive assimilation( ): Progressive assimilation () As the following sounds bring about the change, this process is called regressive assimilation(): impossible, intolerant. The preceding sounds bring about the change is progressive assimilation (): dogs, cats. Assimilation ex. 1-1 Dentalization a. tent [tent] tenth [ten] b. ninety [nainti] ninth [nain] ex. 1-2 Nasalization a. leap [li:p] lean [li:n] b. tap [tap] tan [tn] ex. 1-3 Velarization a. since [sins] silk [silk] b. mince [mins] milk [milk] ex. 1-4 Devoicing a. late [leit] plate [pleit] b. ray [rei] pray [prei] ex. 1-5 aspiration a. top [tp] stop [stp] b. pit [pit] spit[spit] Assimilation can occur across syllable or word boundaries, as shown by the following: Ex. 2-1 a. pan [n] cake b. sun [n] glasses ex. 2-2 a. you can [n] keep them b. he can [n] go now The followings show how fricatives and affricates in English may be assimilated invoicing. Ex. 3-1 a. five past [faivpa:st] [faifpa:st] b. love to [lvte] [lfte] c. as can be shown [ezkenbifoun] [eskenbifoun] Phonological rules (1) voiced fricative voiceless________ voiceless. (2) Nasalization rule [- nasal] [+nasal] ___________ [+ nasal] (3) Dentalization rule [-dental] [+dental] ___________ [+ dental] (4) Velarization rule [-velar] [velar] ___________ [+ velar] (5) [n] [e]_________ v Ex. 4-1 a. a hotel, a use, a wagon, a big man, a yellow rug, a white house b. an apple, an honor, an orange curtain, an old lady Assignment Review the part of assimilation