Phonetics is a branch of linguistics which studies speech sounds, word-

stress and intonation. Phonetics studies the articulation and acoustic qualities of
speech sounds, the physical characteristics and sound perception of stress and
intonation, the lexical and grammatical role of phonemes, word stress and
intonation.

1. THE ORGANS OF SPEECH

The organs of speech are divided into active and passive (movable and
immovable).
The active organs of speech which take an active part in the production of
speech sounds are called active.
The active organs of speech are:
 the vocal chords;
 the tongue;
 the soft palate with the uvula;
 the lips;
 the lower jaw.
The most movable organ of speech is the tongue. It is divided into the
following parts:
 the tip of the tongue;
 the blade of the tongue;
 the front of the tongue;
 the back of the tongue;
 the root of the tongue.
The immovable organs of speech are called passive. They are:
 the upper jaw;
 the alveoli;
 the hard palate;
 the teeth.
Speech sounds are produced while exhaling. The air exhaled from the lungs
passes through the bronchi, then through the windpipe and gets into the upper
part of the windpipe which is called the larynx. The larynx is rather wide. It is
made up of two main cartilages: the cricoid and the thyroid. Across the larynx
there are movable cartilages called the vocal chords. Having passed the larynx the
air passes through the pharynx and gets into the mouth and nasal cavity.
 The following organs of speech participate in the formation of speech
sounds:
 the tongue;
 the hard palate and the soft palate;
 the lips and the teeth.

Organs of Speech Figure 1.

 2. THE CLASSIFICATION OF SPEECH SOUNDS

The work of the speech organs necessary for making speech sounds is
called articulation.

According to the presence or absence of the obstruction speech sounds are

divided into vowels and consonants.

A VOWEL is a voiced sound produced in the mouth cavity with no

obstruction to the air stream. The air stream is weak. The tongue and the vocal
chords are tense. Vowels have no fixed place of articulation. In vowels voice
prevails over noise. Vowels are syllable-forming sounds.

A CONSONANT is a sound produced with an obstruction to the air stream.

The organs of speech are tense in the place of obstruction. Consonants are divided
into voiced and voiceless. In the articulation of voiceless consonants the air stream
is strong while in the articulation of voiced consonants it is weaker. The
articulation of consonants can be localized. In consonants noise prevails over
voice. Consonants aren’t syllable-forming sounds.

Besides these two main types of speech sounds there is an intermediate

type called sonants.

A SONANT has features common to both vowels and consonants. Like a

consonant, a sonant is characterized by an obstruction and the concentration of
muscular tension in the place of obstruction. But like in producing vowels, the air
passage is wide. As a rule, sonants are not syllable-forming sounds but under
certain conditions [m], [n], [l] become syllabic.
 3. THE CLASSIFICATION OF VOWELS

Vowels are classified according to:

1. the position of the tongue;

2. the position of the lips;
3. the stability of articulation.

I. The tongue may move vertically and horizontally (forward and

backward) and raise to different height.

1. According to the vertical movement of the tongue vowels are divided

into:

 close: [i:], [u:], [ı], [ʊ];

 open: [æ], [ɒ], [α:], [ɔ:];
 half-open: [e], [ᴧ], [ᴈ:], [ǝ].

In pronouncing close vowels the tongue comes close to the palate.

In pronouncing open vowels the tongue is lowered and the air passage is
wide.

In pronouncing half-open vowels the tongue is raised half-way to the palate:

2. According to the horizontal movement of the tongue vowels are divided

into:

 front: [i:], [e], [æ];

 front-retracted: [ı];
 mixed: [ᴈ:], [ǝ];
 back: [ɒ], [ɔ:], [α:], [u:];
 back-advanced: [ᴧ], [ʊ].

In pronouncing front vowels the front part of the tongue is raised in the
direction of the hard palate.
 In pronouncing front-retracted vowels the front part of the tongue is raised
in the direction of the hard palate, but slightly retracted.

In pronouncing mixed vowels the tongue lies more or less flat.

In pronouncing back vowels the back of the tongue is raised in the direction
of the soft palate.

In pronouncing back-advanced vowels the back of the tongue is raised in

the direction of the soft palate, but somewhat advanced.

II. According to the position of the lips vowels can be:

 Labialized (rounded): [ɔ:], [ɒ], [u:], [ʊ];

 Non-labialized (unrounded): [i:], [ı], [e], [æ], [ᴈ:], [ǝ], [α:], [ᴧ].

In pronouncing labialized vowels the lips are more or less rounded.

In pronouncing non-labialized vowels the lips may be either spread or

neutral.

III. According to the stability of articulation vowels are divided into:

1) Monophthongs;

2) Diphthongs;

3) Triphthongs.

A monophthong is an unchanging vowel sound: [i:], [ı], [e], [æ], [ᴈ:], [ǝ],
[ʊ], [u:], [ᴧ], [ɔ:], [ɒ], [α:].

A diphthong is a complex sound consisting of two vowel elements

pronounced so as to form a single syllable. The first element of an English
diphthong is called the nucleus, it is a strong and clear sound. The second element
is weak. It is called the glide.
 There are 8 diphthongs in English:

 3 with a glide toward [ı] – [aı], [eı], [ɔı];

 3 with a glide toward [ǝ] – [ıǝ], [eǝ], [ʊǝ];
 2 with a glide toward [ʊ] – [aʊ], [ᴈʊ].

A triphthong is a complex sound consisting of three vowel elements

pronounced so as to form two syllables. There are 2 triphthongs in English:

[aıǝ], [aʊǝ].

Table 1. English vowel phonemes

According to the
horizontal move-
ment of the Front Front Mixed Back Back
tongue
retracted advanced
According to
the vertical
movement
of the tongue
Close Narrow variety [i:] [u:]
Wide variety [ı] [ʊ]
Half- Narrow variety [ᴈ:]
open Wide variety [e] [ǝ] [ᴧ]
Open Narrow variety [ɔ:]
Wide variety [æ] [ɒ] [α:]
 4. THE CLASSIFICATION OF CONSONANTS

Consonants are classified according to three principles:

 the active organs of speech forming the obstruction;

 the manner of producing noise;
 the work of the vocal chords.

I. According to the active organs of speech consonants are divided into 3

groups:

1. Labial;
2. Lingual;
3. Pharyngal.

Labial consonants are subdivided into:

 forelingual;
 mediolingual: [j];
 backlingual: [k], [g], [ŋ].

Forelingual sounds are subdivided into:

 apical: [θ], [ð] ,[t], [d], [n], [l], [s], [z], [ʃ], [ʒ];
 dorsal: [ʧ], [ʤ];
 cacuminal: [r].

In pronouncing lingual consonants the obstruction is formed by the tongue.

In pronouncing forelingual consonants the obstruction is formed by the

front of the tongue.

In pronouncing apical consonants the blade of the tongue is against the

upper teeth or the alveoli.

In pronouncing dorsal consonants the blade or the front of the tongue is

against the upper teeth.

A cacuminal sound is pronounced by the tip of the tongue.

 In pronouncing mediolingual consonants the front of the tongue is raised
towards the hard palate.

In pronouncing backlingual consonants the back of the tongue is raised

towards the soft palate.

II. According to the manner of producing noise English consonants are

divided into:

1. Occlusive;

2. Constrictive;

3. Affricates.

Occlusive consonants are subdivided into:

 plosives: [b], [p], [d], [t], [g], [k];

 occlusive sonants: [m], [n], [ŋ].

In making occlusive consonants the active organs of speech form a

complete obstruction.

In pronouncing plosives the active organs of speech form a complete

obstruction which is suddenly broken by the pressure of the air stream.

In making occlusive sonants the active organs of speech form a complete

obstruction, the mouth is blocked, the air passes through the nasal cavity, the
soft palate is lowered.

Constrictive consonants are subdivided into:

 fricatives: [f], [v], [s], [z], [ʃ], [ʒ], [θ], [ð], [h];
 constrictive sonants: [r], [j], [w], [l].

In making constrictive consonants the active organs of speech do not block

the air passage completely, but form a narrowing of the air passage.
 In making fricatives the active organs of speech form a narrowing through
the air passes with audible friction.

In pronouncing constrictive sonants the active organs of speech form a

narrowing through which the air passes without audible friction.

Affricates are: [ʧ], [ʤ].

In pronouncing affricates the active organs of speech form a complete

obstruction at first and then they are slowly released, forming a narrow air
passage.

III. According to the work of the vocal chords consonants are divided
into:

 Voiced: [b], [d], [m], [w], [v], [n], [z], [ʤ], [ð], [ʒ], [l], [r], [j], [g],
[ŋ];
 Voiceless: [p], [t], [f], [s], [ʧ], [θ], [ʃ], [k], [h].

In pronouncing voiceless consonants the vocal chords are not made to

vibrate.

In pronouncing voiced consonants the vocal chords are made to vibrate.

 ENGLISH VOWEL PHONEMES IN DETAIL
Vowel phoneme [i:]
A long, non-labialized, front, closed monophthong. While pronouncing this
sound the tongue is in the front part of the mouth. The tip of the tongue touches the
lower teeth, the front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate. The lips are
slightly spread.

Phonetic exercise 1
i:v fi: di:n di:l bi:st
i:ʧ ki: li:n hi:l fi:st
i:st ni: ki:n mi:l bi:ʧ
i:gl hi: si:n si:l ri:ʧ
i:gl wi: kwi:n zi:l ti:ʧ

Phonetic exercise 2
pi: bi: mi: ti: ni: si: li: wi:
pi:l bi:m mi:n ti:m ni:l si:m li:v wi:l
pi:z bi:d mi:d ti:z ni:d si:d li:d wi:d
pi:t bi:t mi:t ti:θ ni:t si:k li:k wi:p

Phonetic exercise 3
bi: -- bi: -- bi:t si: -- si:d – si:t
di: -- di:n -- di:p li: -- li:g – li:
ni: -- ni:d – ni:t i:v – ʹi:zı – i:t

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
2. Extremes meet.
3. Between the devil and the deep sea.
4. Please feel free to leave.
5. He speaks Chinese and Japanese with equal ease.
 Vowel phoneme [ı]
A monophthong, front-retracted, close, short, non-labialized. In pronouncing
this sound the tongue is in the front part of the mouth cavity. The front of the
tongue is raised towards the hard palate. The tip of the tongue is at the lower teeth,
the lips are slightly spread.

Phonetic exercise 4 Phonetic exercise 5

ıt tıp dıd tig ʹdıkı ʹpıkıt dıʹfıt
ıf dıp fıd tın ʹsıtı ʹkrıkıt dıʹsi:v
ıl nıp fıl tıŋ ʹpıgı ʹflımzı dıʹzıst
ın tıf gıv sıŋ ʹpıtı ʹdımıtı dıʹsıʒn
ınʧ kıs lıv rıŋ ʹnıpı ʹdıgnıtı bıʹgın
ız lıp tıl sın ʹprıkı fıʹzıʃn bıʹdım

Phonetic exercise 6
dıd sıt ʹsıtı ıt sıt – sıd
dıg nıt ʹkıtı ız dık – dıg
kıd sık ʹtıkıt ın tık – tıg
sın kıs ʹgıdı

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Sink or swim.
2. As fit as a fiddle.
3. Bit by bit.
4. Six little kittens lost their mittens.
It’s a pity, they were so pretty.
5. Little Bill, sit still.
Will you sit still, little Bill?
If you sit still, little Bill,
Jimmy Nill will bring you to a big hill.
 Vowel phoneme [e]
A monophthong, front, half-open, short, non-labialized. In pronouncing this
sound the tongue is in the front part of the mouth cavity. The front of the tongue is
raised towards the hard palate. The tip of the tongue is at the lower teeth, the lips
are slightly spread.

Phonetic exercise 7 Phonetic exercise 8

eb pet sent ʹbelı ʹpensl rıʹses
eg bed send ʹʧerı ʹpelıt dısʹpel
eft red nest ʹemptı ʹpensıv ınʹdent
eld let best ʹenımı ʹprefıs bıʹhest
end leg kwest
els les ʧest Phonetic exercise 9
elk hed ʧes pıt – pet bıd – bed ʹpenı
eʤ hem ʧek pın – pen bıd – bed ʹtedı

Phonetic exercise 10
ten get en det – ded sıt – set ʹbızı -- ʹbenı gets
pen pet eg bet – bed bıt – bet ʹpıtı – betı pets
men net et set – sed bıg – beg ʹmını – menı bedz
dıd – ded kıdz

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. All is well that ends well.
2. East or West, home is best.
3. Get ten eggs ready for breakfast.
4. Every day in every way.
The weather is getting better and better.
5. Better late than never.
6. Health is above wealth.
 Vowel phoneme [æ]
A non-labialized, tense, front, open, wide, short vowel. In pronouncing [æ]
the tongue moves forward, the tip of the tongue is at the lower teeth. The front of
the tongue is slightly raised to the palate. The jaw is lowered. The lips are spread.

Phonetic exercise 11 Phonetic exercise 12

æm plæn ræm ınʹtækt pæn bæn kæn hæm
æd plæd ræn rıʹtrækt pæd bæd kæd hæd
ænd glæd ræg dısʹbænd pæt bæt kæt hæt
ænt græb ræt dısʹpæʧ
æpt sæd ræp ʹpækıʤ Phonetic exercise 13
ækt mæd rænt ʹlæmskın fen – fæn bek – bæk
æz fæg læmp ʹhedlænd men – mæn sed – sæd
æs læg lænd ʹlæmpblæk mes – mæs hed – hæd
beg – bæg end – ænd
Phonetic exercise 14
læb – læp æd dıd – ded – dæd pıt – pet – pæt ǝ bıg bæg
kæb – kæp æm hıd – hed – hæd tın – ten – tæn ǝ blæk kæt
hæd – hæt æt sıt – set -- sæt pın – pen – pæn get ðǝ mæps

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. One man is no man.
2. A hungry man is an angry man.
3. He that hatches matches hatches cathes.
4. Once there was a lad
Who was always very sad,
For he hadn’t any mother
And he hadn’t any dad.
5. That’s the man who sat on my hat in the tram.
 Vowel phoneme [α:]
A long, non-labialized, open, back, wide monophthong. In pronouncing [α:]
the tongue is retracted from the lower teeth. The back part of the tongue is raised
towards the soft palate. The jaw is lowered, the lips are neutral.

Phonetic exercise 15 Phonetic exercise 16

α: pα:k pα:s bα: kα: pα: hα:
α:m mα:k grα:s bα:n kα:m pα:m hα:m
α:t bα:d glα:s bα:ʤ kα:d pα:d hα:v
α:sk lα:d bα:sk bα:k kα:t pα:t hα:f
α:nt kα:d mα:sk
α:ʧ hα:t pα:ʧ
α:k kα:t lα:ʤ

Phonetic exercise 17
kα: -- kα:m – kα:t α:m ǝ fα: stα:
fα: -- fα:m – pα:t α:t α:sk fα:ðǝ
bα: -- bα:d – bα:k α:sk ðǝ dα:k gα:dn

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. He laughs best who laughs last.

2. Cars can’t be parked here after dark.

3. After a storm comes a calm.

4. Can’t you ask Father or Aunt Margaret?

5. Half heart is no heart.

 Vowel phoneme [ɒ]
A short, labialized, open, back, wide monophthong. I pronouncing [ɒ] the
tongue is retracted and lowered. The back of the tongue is raised towards the soft
palate. The jaw is lowered, the lips are flat and slightly spread.

Phonetic exercise 18 Phonetic exercise 19

ɒf fɒks ʤɒb nɒk kα:d -- kɒd
ɒv bɒks mɒb mɒk dα:k -- dɒk
ɒft gɒt gɒd ʃɒk dα:t -- dɒt
ɒn dɒt nɒt bɒs gα:d -- gɒd
ɒpt pɒt kɒd mɒs hα:d -- hɒd
ɒd lɒt sɒŋ ʹɒfıs hα:t -- hɒt
ɒks hɒt lɒŋ ʹɒnıst lα:k -- lɒk

Phonetic exercise 20
gɒd -- gɒt ɒn ǝ dɒg -- dɒgz ǝ bɒks -- ʹbɒksız
nɒd -- nɒt ɒd ǝ dɒl -- dɒlz ǝ fɒks -- ʹfɒksız
dɒg -- dɒk ʹɒfǝ ǝ kɒk -- kɒks ʹmɒd(ǝ)n ʹnɒv(ǝ)lz
lɒg -- lɒk ʹɒksǝn ǝ lɒk -- lɒks gıv ʹpɒlı ʹkɒlı

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Honesty is the best policy.

2. A little pot is soon hot.

3. Rod often got into hot water.

4. “What an odd clock,” said Tom.

5. Molly’s got a spot on her frock.

6. A watched pot never boils.

 Vowel phoneme [ɔ:]
A long, tense, labialized, back, open vowel phoneme. In pronouncing [ɔ:]
the back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate. The tongue is retracted. The lips
are slightly rounded but not protruded.

Phonetic exercise 21 Phonetic exercise 22

ɔ: nɔ: pɔ:k pɔ: kɔ: lɔ: hɔ:
ɔ:b fɔ: fɔ:k pɔ:n kɔ:n lɔ:n hɔ:l
ɔ:t lɔ: hɔ:k pɔ:z kɔ:d lɔ:d hɔ:d
pɔ: bɔ:n kɔ:t pɔ:t kɔ:k lɔ:s hɔ:s
bɔ: pɔ:l gɔ:t
gɔ: hɔ:l sɔ:t
sɔ: bɔ:l wɔ:d

Phonetic exercise 23 Phonetic exercise 24

pɒt -- pɔ:t kɔ: -- kɔ:d -- kɔ:t ɔ:l kα:d -- kɔ:d
kɒd -- kɔ:d sɔ: -- sɔ:d -- sɔ:t ʹɔ:gǝst kα:t -- kɔ:t
kɒk -- kɔ:k fɔ: -- fɔ:m -- fɔ:k ɔ:t pα:t -- pɔ:t
nɒt -- nɔ:t tɔ: -- tɔ:l -- tɔ:k pα:t -- pɔ:k
fɒs -- fɔ:s
ʃɒt -- ʃɔ:t]]
mɒtl -- mɔ:tl

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Velvet paws hide sharp claws.
2. New lords – new laws.
3. To talk to Mart is like talking to the wall.
4. George was born in August.
5. Of all the saws I ever saw, I never saw a saw as that saws.
6. I saw more than forty horses.
7. Her naughty daughter Maud is at fault.
 Vowel phoneme [ʊ]

A short, close, back-advanced, labialized, wide monophthong. In

pronouncing [ʊ] the back of the tongue is raised to the palate. The tip of the tongue
is retracted from the teeth. The lips are rounded but not protruded.

Phonetic exercise 25 Phonetic exercise 26

pʊl bʊk ʹpʊlı gʊd ǝ gʊd bʊk
pʊt hʊk ʹpʊlit kʊd ǝ gʊd kʊk
fʊt tʊk ʹpʊlpıt kʊk lʊk ǝt ðǝ bʊk
sʊt kʊk ʹpʊdıŋ
gʊd bʊʃ ʹpα:mfʊl
wʊd pʊs ʹpændfʊl
hʊd kʊd ʹbα:skıtfʊl

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. How many cookies could a good cook cook

If a good cook could cook cookies?
A good cook could cook as much cookies
as a good cook who could cook cookies.

2. The cook took a good look at the cookery book.

3. It’ good he could go on foot.

4. A good beginning makes a good ending.

 Vowel phoneme [u:]

A long, close, back, labialized, narrow sound. In pronouncing [u:] the back
of the tongue is raised in the direction of the soft palate. The tip of the tongue is
retracted from the teeth. The distance between the jaws is narrow. The lips are
rounded but not protruded.

Phonetic exercise 27 Phonetic exercise 28

bu: ku:l gu:s ru:l mu:n glu:m
ku: ru:l lu:z ru:d mu:d gru:v
mu: pu:l mu:s ru:t mu:t gru:p
nu: su:n su:θ
glu: lu:n smu:θ

Phonetic exercise 29 Phonetic exercise 30

fʊt – fu:d pʊl – pu:l lu:z – lu:s nju:, fju: ju: α:
kʊd – ku:t fʊl – fu:l mu:d – mu:t ʹmju:zık ju: α: ʹnɒt
rʊm – ru:m pʊs – gu:s su:n – su:p ʹmju:zikǝl α: ju:
hʊd – hu:t pʊt – bu:t ʹstu:dǝnts ju: ʹα:nt

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. The exception proves the rule.

2. Soon learnt soon forgotten.

3. Hugh’s tooth is loose.

4. Sue is beautiful.

5. I’d like some fruit juice.

 Vowel phoneme [ᴧ]

A short, non-labialized, back-advanced, half-open, wide vowel. In

pronouncing [ᴧ] the tongue is raised to the roof of the mouth. The tip of the tongue
is retracted from the lower teeth. The lips are neutral.

Phonetic exercise 31 Phonetic exercise 32

ᴧp bᴧt bᴧlk ʹᴧnʹæpt bα:k -- bᴧk bᴧs -- bɒs
ᴧs bᴧs bᴧsk ʹᴧnʹkᴧt bα:d -- bᴧd fα:s -- fᴧs
ʹᴧglı gᴧn stᴧmp ʹᴧnʹfıt dα:k -- dᴧk dᴧg -- dɒg
ʹᴧdǝ kᴧt tᴧsk ʹᴧnʹpın pα:k -- pᴧk hᴧt -- hɒt
ʹᴧðǝ kᴧm ʤᴧmp ʹᴧnʹnıt mα:k -- mᴧk lᴧg -- lɒg
ʹᴧndǝ sᴧm rıʹzᴧlt ʹᴧnʹlıŋk kα:d -- kᴧd kᴧd -- kɒd
ʹᴧŋkl kᴧp ınʹsᴧlt ʹᴧnʹlᴈ:n ʧα:m -- ʧᴧm ʃᴧk -- ʃɒk

Phonetic exercise 33
kᴧp kᴧb ᴧs ʹsᴧmθıŋ ʹfᴧnı
bᴧd bᴧt ᴧp kᴧm tǝ ðǝ klᴧb
sᴧn lᴧk ʹᴧndǝ maı ʹmᴧðǝz ʹkᴧzn ız ǝ ʹdɒktǝ
tᴧŋ hᴧt ʹevrı ʹkᴧntrı hæz ıts ʹkᴧstǝmz

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Every country has its custom.

2. Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.

3. When your work’s done, come in the sun and have some fun.

4. Some love onions for lunch and supper, but when one has stuffed oneself with
onions, one isn’t loved much, is one?

5. If you're keen on stunning kites and cunning stunts, buy a cunning stunning stunt
kite.
 Vowel phoneme [ɜ:]
A long, half-open, mixed, non-labialized, narrow variety, monophthong. In
pronouncing [ɜ:] the tongue is in the middle part of the mouth cavity. It is slightly
raised. The tip is at the lower teeth. The jaw is slightly lowered. The lips are
neutral.
Phonetic exercise 34 Phonetic exercise 35
ɜ: bɜ: kɜ:b wɜ:d fɜ: bɜ: pɜ: sɜ:
ɜ:k fɜ: kɜ:l wɜ:m fɜ:m bɜ:d pɜ:l sɜ:ʧ
ɜ:n hɜ: gɜ:l wɜ:l fɜ:st bɜ:θ pɜ:s sɜ:ʤ
ɜ:θ pɜ: pɜ:m wɜ:k Phonetic exercise 36
ɜ:ʤ sɜ: bɜ:n wɜ:ld sɜ: -- sɜ: -- sɜ:f ɜ:n ən ʹɜ:lı bɜ:d
ɜ:l wɜ: hɜ:d wɜ:θ fɜ: -- lɜ:n -- nɜ:s ʹɜ:lı ðə fɜ:st vɜ:b
ʹɜ:lı spɜ: bɜ:d wɜ:s bɜ: -- bɜ:d -- bɜ:θ ɜ:θ ðə ʹθɜ:tı fɜ:st

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. It’s an early bird that catches the warm.
2. As is the workman so is the work.
3. First come first served.
4. The first word is a verb and the third word is an adverb.
Vowel phoneme [ə]
A short, non-labialized, mixed, half-open monophthong of the wide variety.
In pronouncing [ə] the position of the tongue and lips resembles that of [ɜ:], but the
tongue is lower. The lips are neutral.
Phonetic exercise 37 Phonetic exercise 38
ʹhæmə ʹhæməz pəʹsıfık ə ʹbæg
ʹrıvə ʹrıvəz pəʹsi:v ə ʹnet
ʹkwıvə ʹkwıvəz pəʹsent ə ʹtıp
ʹbɑ:bə ʹbɑ:bəz pəʹfɔ:m ə ʹsi:t
ʹpætə ʹpætəz pəʹmıt ə ʹplæn
ʹpɔ:tə ʹpɔ:təz ləʹgu:n ə ʹbɒks
ʹpi:pə ʹpi:pəz ləʹment ə ʹfɔ:k
 ENGLISH DIPHTHONGS

Phonemes [ıə], [ɛə], [ʊə]

Phoneme [ıə]. The English diphthong [ıə] starts as a short non-labialized

front retracted close vowel [ı] and immediately proceeds in the direction of [ə].

Phoneme [ɛə]. The English diphthong [ɛə] starts as [ɛ], a short, non-
labialized, front, half-open vowel of wide variety, somewhat wider than the
English [e], and immediately proceeds in the direction of [ə]. The lips are slightly
spread for the nucleus and move to neutral position during the glide.

Phoneme [ʊə]. The English diphthong [ʊə] starts as a short labialized back-
gadvanced close vowel [ʊ] and immediately proceeds in the direction of the
English [ə]. In pronouncing the nucleus of the diphthong [ʊə] the lips are slightly
rounded. Un pronouncing the glide the lips become neutral, the distance between
them somewhat increases.

Phonetic exercise 39 Phonetic exercise 40

pıə pɛə pʊə dıə bɛə pʊə
dıə rɛə bʊə nıə ðɛə ʃʊə
kwıə ʧɛə mʊə hıə hɛə ʹjʊərəp
snıə ʃɛə tʊə ʹpɛərənts ʹju:ʒʊəlı
pıəs lɛə ʃʊə
rıəl rıəl ʹjʊərəp ʹwɛər ız ʹmɛərı
ʹwɛər ız ʹðə ʹʧɛə
ʹwɒt ız ðɛər ın ðə ʹbæg
ʹwɒt ız ðɛə ɒ ðə ʹʧɛə

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Near an ear, a nearer ear, a nearly eerie ear.
 Phonemes [eı], [aı], [ɔı]

Phoneme [eı]. The English diphthong [eı] starts as a short non-labialized

front, half open vowel [e] and immediately proceeds in the direction of [ı]. In the
pronouncing the English [eı] the lips are spread for the nucleus and move to a more
close position during the glide. The distance between the jaws, which is rather
wide at the beginning of the articulation , becomes narrower during the glide.

Phoneme [aı]. The English diphthong [aı] begins as [a], a short non-
labialized front retracted open vowel, and immediately proceeds in the direction of
the English [ı]. The lips are neutral. The distance between the jaws, which is rather
wide at the beginning of the articulation , becomes narrower during the glide.

Phoneme [ɔı]. The English diphthong [ɔı] begins as short, labialized, back,
open vowel, resembling the English [ɒ], but more advanced and close, and
immediately proceeds in the direction of [ı]. In pronouncing the nucleus the lips
are slightly rounded and not at all protruded.

Phonetic exercise 41 Phonetic exercise 42 Phonetic exercise 43

eım -- ʹpeıpə aı -- paıp bɔı nɔız
eıd -- ʹbeıkə aıs -- kaıt ʤɔın pɔız
eıt -- ʹweıtə aıdl -- baıt ɔıl hɔıst
eıl -- ʹveıkənt paı -- paıl kɔın mɔıst
leım -- ʹpeıvmət baı -- taım sɔıl pɔınt
peın -- ʹreılweı taım -- naın tɔıl ʤɔınt
teık -- ʹreıdıɜʊ laı -- naıs spɔıl əʹpɔınt

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

Why do you cry, Willy?
Why do you cry?
Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why?
 Phonemes [ɜʊ], [aʊ]
Phoneme [ɜʊ]. The English diphthong [ɜʊ] begins as [ɜ], a short, non-
labialized, front, half-open vowel of wide variety, somewhat wider than the
English [e], and immediately proceeds in the direction of the English [ʊ]. In
pronouncing the English [ɜʊ] the lips start from a slight rounding and rather a large
opening. At the end of the articulation the lips are considerably rounded, forming
a rather small oval opening.

Phoneme [aʊ]. The English diphthong [aı] begins as the front open [a] and
proceeds in the direction of the English [ʊ]. The lips are neutral. The tongue moves
forward, the tip of the tongue comes close to the front lower teeth.

Phonetic exercise 44 Phonetic exercise 45 Phonetic exercise 46

gɜʊ bɜʊld baʊ daʊt bɜʊ -- baʊ

gɜʊ gɜʊld kaʊ flaʊt nɜʊ -- naʊ
ʃɜʊ kɜʊld saʊ staʊt nɜʊn -- naʊn
ɜʊn hɜʊld raʊ raʊt tɜʊn -- taʊn
lɜʊn tɜʊld braʊn draʊt krɜʊn -- kraʊn
mɜʊn sɜʊld taʊn saʊn ɜʊt -- aʊt
grɜʊn skɜʊld paʊnd maʊθ flɜʊt -- flaʊt
gɜʊt -- gaʊt

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Oh, no, don’t go home alone, nobody knows how lonely the road is.

2. Soames never boasts of what he knows.

But Rose never knows of what she boasts.

3. As you sow you shall mow.

4. Little strokes fell great oakes.

 Sound combinatios [aıə], [aʊə]
The so-called “triphthongs” [aʊə], [aıə] are combinations of a diphthong and
the neutral [ə].

Phonetic exercise 47
faıə aʊə ðɛər ɑˑ ʹflaʊəz ənd ʹflaʊəz ʹevrıwɛə
waıə ʃaʊə taıd -- ʹtaıəd
taıəd taʊə laın -- ʹlaıən
laıə paʊə kwaıt -- ʹkwaıət
ʹaılənd -- ʹaıələnd

Table 2.
English diphthongs
Nucleus Front Back
Glide
ı-glide diphthongs eı, aı ɔı
(front)
ə-glide diphthongs ıə,ɛə ʊə
(centering)
ʊ-glide diphthongs aʊ ɜʊ
(back)
 ENGLISH CONSONANT PHONEMES IN DETAIL

Consonant phonemes [p],[b]

Bilabial, occlusive, plosive consonants. [p] is voiceless, [b] is voiced. In
pronouncing these sounds the lips form the complete obstruction. The soft palate is
raised and the air passes through the mouth cavity. [p] is pronounced with
aspiration.
Phonetic exercise 48 Phonetic exercise 49
↓ pıp bi: → pi: bi:
paı bi:m pi:p bi:m
paıp beı pen ben
pep beə pæk bæk
pi:p ʹbeıbı pıg bıg
pi: bɑ:m pɔ:t bɔ:t
pɑ: bʌmp ʹhæpı ʹʃæbı
pʌmp bɑ: kʌp kʌb
pəʹpɑ: bɒm kæp kæb

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper pa peck of pickled peppers,
Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
2. Betty Botter bought some butter,
but she said "this butter's bitter!
But a bit of better butter
will but make my butter better"
So she bought some better butter,
better than the bitter butter,
and it made her butter better
so 'twas better Betty Botter
bought a bit of better butter!
 Consonant phoneme [m]
A bilabial, occlusive, nasal sonant. In pronouncing this sound lips form a
complete obstruction and the air passes through the nasal cavity. The lips are more
spread than in Ukrainian.

Phonetic exercise 50

mi: mıə maıə meı mæp mɒb mɔ: mɜʊ

mɛə mæn maınd ʹmenı mılk maıld mi:t ʹmʌnı

Phonetic exercise 51
ʹsæmən mæʧ ʹmınıt ʹmju:zı ʹmɑ:stə ʹmını
si:m məʹʃi:n ʹmʌndı ʹmeıkıƞ ʹmætə ʹmʌƞkı
meıd ʹmʌðə ʹmɑ:kıt ʹmænıʤ ʹmi:tıƞ ʹmɒrəl
ʹfæmılı ʹmɒdən ʹmæʤık ʹmænə ʹmembə ʹmʌtə

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Many men many minds.

2. Men may meet but mountains never.

3. Mary Mac's mother's making Mary Mac marry me.

My mother's making me marry Mary Mac.
Will I always be so Merry when Mary's taking care of me?
Will I always be so merry when I marry Mary Mac?

4. Mommy made me eat my M&Ms.

5. The murmur of the bees in the elms brings back memories of many memorable
summer.

6. Some men may make many mistakes in Mathematics.

7. Since time immemorial the moon has moved men to make poems.
 Consonant phoneme [w]

A bilabial, constrictive, central sonant. In pronouncing [w] the lips are

protruded and rounded. The tip of the tongue is retracted from the lower teeth. The
back of the tongue is raised towards the soft palate. The soft palate is raised. The
vocal chords are in vibration.

Phonetic exercise 52

wi:p waı wɔ: kwık kwız ʹkwɒrəl

wım waıp wɔ:m kwel kwıt ʹkwɒlıtı
wıp wɛə wɔ:n kwi:n kwaıt ʹkwɒntıtı
web waıə wɜʊ kweıl kwaıət ʹkwɒlıfaı

Phonetic exercise 53
wi: ʹwıntə wiˑ ɑ: ʹwɒts ðə ʹmætə
wel ʹwındɜʊ wiˑ ɑ: ʹnɒt ʹwen ız hiˑ ʹbızı
waı wɒnt ʹɑ: wiˑ ʹwaı ʹıznt ðə ʹwɔ:tə ʹwɔ:m
wıð wɜʊnt

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Where’s a will, there’s a way.

2. When the wine is in, the wit is out.

3. William was not very willing to wait.

4. No sweet without sweat.

5. Which word would one want if one wanted a word?

6. It was a pleasure to watch the wonderful way in which they worked.

7. “What”, “why”, “when” and “where” are the words we require quite often when
we want to ask questions.
 Consonant phonemes [f], [v]

Labio-dental, constrictive fricatives. [f] is voiceless, [v] is voiced. In

pronouncing these sounds the lower lip is raised to the upper teeth. The air passes
through the narrowing formed between the lower lip and the upper teeth. The air
passes through this narrowing producing audible friction.

Phonetic exercise 54 Phonetic exercise 55 Phonetic exercise 56

fıb fɔ: væmp ʹbi:və bıf -- i:v

fıə fɔ:m vaʊ ʹvi:və bi:f -- wi:v
fɑ: fɜʊ vju: ʹfi:və bʌf -- waıv
fɑ:m fɜ: vıə ʹvaıpə mʌf -- mu:v
fɛə fɜ:m vɜ:b ʹfeıvə wu:v -- vɜ:v
feım fɜʊm vɜ:v ʹbevı faıf -- faıv

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Far from eyes, far from heart.

2. Fortunes favours the brave.

3. From the frying-pan into the fire.

4. Fight fire with fire.

5. Four furious friends fought for the phone.

6. Fresh French fried fly fritters.

7. A fly and flea flew into a flue,

said the fly to the flea 'what shall we do?'
'let us fly' said the flea
said the fly 'shall we flee'
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
 Consonant phonemes [t], [d]

Forelingual, apical, alveolar, occlusive, plosive consonants. [t] is voiceless,

[d] is voiced. In pronouncing these sounds the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli
forming a complete obstruction. Then the tension is released and the air
compressed in the mouth cavity breaks the obstruction with explosion. [k] is
pronounced with aspiration before stressed vowels.
Phonetic exercise 57 Phonetic exercise 58

ti: ti:m taım ʹtɑ:tə pıt -- pi:t -- pet

taı taım teım ʹtetə bıt -- bi:t -- bæt
tɑ: tɜ:m teıp ʹmætə fıt -- fi:t -- fæt
tɔ: tɒp tɔı ʹbetə wıt -- wi:t -- wet
tɜʊ tju:b taʊ ʹpætə
Phonetic exercise 59 Phonetic exercise 60
daı di:m dɛə dıʹfi:t ted pæd ʹsɒlıd
deı di:p dıə dıʹfend tend mæd ʹmɔ:bıd
dæn dɔ: dɜ:t dıʹfaın taıd bæd ʹtımıd
dæmp dɜʊm daʊt dıʹfɔ:m tɒd feıd ʹfɒrıd
Phonetic exercise 61
bıt -- bıd fıt -- fıd
bi:t -- bi:d fi:t -- fi:d
wi:t -- wi:d twi:t -- twi:d
wet -- wed bæt -- bæd

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.

2. To tell tales out of school.

3. A good dog deserves a good bone.

4. Put two and two together.

 Consonant phoneme [n]

A forelingual, apical, occlusive nasal sonant. In pronouncing [n] the tip of

the tongue touches the alveoli but the soft palate is lowered and the air passes
through the nasal cavity.

Phonetic exercise 62 Phonetic exercise 63

nıp naıt pın meıdn pætn wepn
næp naın tın gɑ:dn bætn ɜʊpn
ni:p nʌt wın pɑ:dn bʌtn
ni:t nɒt di:n bɜ:dn mʌtn
ni:d nɒd ten
nıə nɜʊt fʌn
Phonetic exercise 64
ʹnıtıƞ ʹni:dlz ə ʹtın ʹkæn
ə ʹnaıs ʹneklıs ə ʹfaın ʹlaın
ʹni:t ʹnæpkıƞz

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Many men many minds.

2. Men may meet but mountains never.

3. Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?

4. Seventy seven benevolent elephants.

5. Ann and Andy's anniversary is in April.

6. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains.

7. That fine bunch of bananas will make a nice snack for noon.

8. There’s no news of Annie.

 Consonant phonemes [s], [z]

Forelingual, apical , alveolar, constrictive fricative consonants. [s] is

voiceless, [z] is voiced. In pronouncing these sounds the blade of the tongue is
raised towards the alveoli. The narrowing is formed between the tip of the tongue
and the alveoli. The air passes through the narrowing with friction.

Phonetic exercise 65 Phonetic exercise 66

si: snæp bʌs best zɜʊn ız dıʹzıst
si:t snıf bɒs nest zu:m wız dıʹzɜ:v
si:d smaıt feıs fɑ:st zest waız dıʹzɜ:t
si:m snɒb si:s fi:st zju:s ədʹvaıs dıʹzaın
seıv spɒt vaıs æks ʹzıbu: saız dıʹzaıə
seın spɔ:t ni:s ɒks ʹzıbıt nɔız dıʹvaız
saın smɑ:t naıs bɒks
saıt stɑ:t
sɜ:v swım
Phonetic exercise 67
bi:mz si:z bæks -- bægz
ni:z ni:dz bets -- bedz
di:nz mi:nz si:ts -- si:ds
tɜ:mz baız
tju:bz traız
tɔız dıʹfaınz
dɔ:z dıʹpendz
webz dıʹsendz

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Slow and steady wins the race.

2. Speech is silver but silence is gold.
3. As sure as eggs are eggs.
 Consonant phonemes [θ], [ð]
Forelingual, apical, interdental, constrictive fricative consonants. [θ] is
voiceless, [ð] is voiced. In pronouncing these sounds the blade of the tongue is flat
and not tense. The tip of the tongue is between the upper and lower teeth.

Phonetic exercise 68 Phonetic exercise 69 Phonetic exercise 70

taı -- saı -- θaı di: -- ði: θθθık -- θık
tın -- sın -- θın daı -- ðaı θθθi:f -- θi:f
tık -- sık -- θık deı -- ðeı θθθeın -- θeın
tıl -- sıl -- θrıl dæm -- ðæn θθθeft -- θeft
tı:m -- si:m -- θi:m dɛə -- ðɛə θθθɜ:m -- θɜ:m
tɔ:t -- sɔ:t -- θɔ:t
Phonetic exercise 71 Phonetic exercise 72 Phonetic exercise 73
ðððıs -- ðıs θi:m ði: pıθ pɑ:θ wıð
ððði: -- ði: θaı ðeı kıθ nɔ:θ taıdð
ðððæt -- ðæt θın ðem smıθ mɒθ bu:ð
ðððem -- ðem θɜ:d ðæn ti:θ tu:θ su:ð
ðððen -- ðen θɔ:n ðæt depθ maʊθ smu:ð
θɔ: ðɛə lɑ:f saʊθ beıð
θʌm ðʌs

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Wealth is nothing without health.

2. Birds of a feather flock together.

3. The third Thursday of this month is the sixteenth.

4. Thirty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three.

5. These are three brothers, these are their father and mother, this is their other
brother.

6. First think then speak.

 Consonant phonemes [ʃ], [ʒ]

Forelingual, apical, constrictive, fricative consonants. [ʃ] is voiceless, [ʒ] is

voiced. In pronouncing [ʃ] and [ʒ] the lips are slightly pushed forward and form an
oval opening. The tongue is raised. A narrowing of the air-passage is formed
between the tip of the tongue and the hard palate is rather narrow.

Care should be taken not to soften the English [ʃ], [ʒ] too much, that is to
avoid a too high position of the front of the tongue.

Phonetic exercise 74 Phonetic exercise 75

ʃaın fıʃ ʹpæʃn ʹʒɑ:ndɑ:m ʃi: ʃæl ʃıˑ ʹız

ʃeım dıʃ ʹpɔ:ʃn ʹmeʒə fıʃ ʹfınıʃ ʃıˑ ʹıznt
ʃeıp smıʃ pɑ:ʹtıʃn vıʒn ʹmeʒə ʹpleʒə ʃıˑ ız nʹnɒt
ʃɑ:p meʃ fıʹzıʃn dıʹvıʒn dıʹvıʒn dıʹsıʒn ʹız ʃıˑ
ʃi:p mʌʃ pəʹzıʃn ʹpleʒə
ʃɔ:t tʌʃ ʹpɑ:ʃəl reʹʒi:m
ʃɒt pʊʃ əʹfıʃəl ru:ʒ

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore.

The shells she sells are sea-shells,

I am sure.

2. Eat at pleasure, drink with measure.

3. I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch
wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.

4. I wish to wash my Irish wristwatch.

5. Casual clothes are provisional for leisurely trips across Asia.

6. She said she should sit.

 Consonant phonemes [ʧ], [ʤ]

Forelingual, dorsal, back, alveolar affricates. Sound [ʧ] is voiceless, [ʤ] is

voiceless. In pronouncing these sounds the front of the tongue is raised to the hard
palate. The tip of the tongue touches the alveoli. These sounds start with a
complete obstruction followed by a slow release which results in the formation of a
narrow air passage.

Phonetic exercise 76 Phonetic exercise 77

ʧi:f ʧæp ıʧ feʧ ʤeıp ʤɒb eıʤ
ʧi:t ʧɒp bıʧ bæʧ ʤeıd ʤɒt peıʤ
ʧi:p ʧɔ: dıʧ mæʧ ʤæm ʤɔın weʤ
ʧi:k ʧɔ:k fıʧ pæʧ ʤæz ʤɔ: bæʤ
ʧi:z ʧɑ:m pıʧ mʌʧ ʤʌst ʤɑ: bʌʤ
ʧeız ʧɛə swıʧ tʌʧ ʤʌmp ʤɔ:n ʤʌʤ
ʧeın ʹʧaınə twıʧ wɒʧ
Phonetic exercise 78
fæʧ ʧest ʹʤestʧə eʤ ʤɔın
kæʧ ʧæt ʤʌst bæʤ pɔınt
læʧ ʧɑ:t ʤɒb lɑ:ʤ ınʹʤɔı

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Just a joke.

2. A journalist made a journey over Japan.

3. John put the orange juice into the fridge.

4. What a charming child!

5. Hatches, catches, matches and dispatches.

6. Charlie doesn’t know chalk from cheese.

 Consonant phoneme [l]
A forelingual, apical, constrictive fricative, lateral sonant. In pronouncing
this sound the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli. The sides of the tongue are
lowered and the air passes through the narrowing formed between the lower lip and
the upper teeth. The soft palate is raised. The vocal chords are made to vibrate.

Phonetic exercise 79

li: lıft left leıs lʌk lɑ:d lɔ: lɒt lu:m

li:f lıst les leık lʌv lɑ:ʤ lɔ:n lɒk lu:s
li:v lımp let leım lʌmp lɑ:k lɔ:d lɒb lu:t
li:p lıv læd leın lʌnʧ lɑ:st lɔ:nʧ lɒʤ lu:p
li:n ʹlıvə læmp laı lʌnʤ lɑ:f lɔ:s ʹlɒbı lʊk

Phonetic exercise 80 Phonetic exercise 81

bıl bel dʌl fu:l ɜʊld belt bılk
ʧıl sel mʌl pu:l bɜʊld delt bʌlk
kıl ʃel nʌl spu:l sɜʊld dwelt sʌlk
mıl tel fʊl tu:l wɜ:ld felt mılk
sıl wel pʊl stu: fɔ:lt melt pælp
wıl swell wʊl mju:l sɔ:lt smelt skæp

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Let sleeping dog lie.

2. Life is not all cakes and ale.

3. Loo before you leap.

4. Let Lucy light a candle and we’ll all look for the missing ball.

5. A little pill may well cure a great ill.

 Consonant phoneme [r]

A fore lingual, cacuminal, constrictive, central, nasal sonant. In pronouncing

[r] the tip of the tongue is raised approaches the back of the alveoli forming a wide
narrowing there. The back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate. The air passes
through the mouth along the tongue. The vocal chords are made to vibrate.

Phonetic exercise 82 Phonetic exercise 83

rıd red ræt rɒb rıʹses tri: -- θri:

rıp rent ræp rɜʊb rıʹsi:v trıl -- θrıl
rıʧ rest ræʃ rʊm rıʹfɔ:m trʌst -- θʌst
ri:d reın raız ru:t rıʹfaın træʃ -- θræʃ
ri:ʧ reıd raıv ru:d rıʹli:v tred -- θred
relm reıʤ raıð rʌʃ rıʹpɔ:t tret -- θret

Phonetic exercise 84 Phonetic exercise 85

ʹmærı ʹıərə ʹfɒrıst ıʹrekt trıp -- drıp
ʹferı ʹmırə ʹfɒrıd ıʹreız traı -- draı
ʹʤʊərı ʹerənd ʹperı ıksʹtri:m tru:p -- dru:p
ʹlɒrı ʹerənt ʹpɒrıʤ məʹri:n træm -- dræm
ʹsɒrı ʹterə ʹperəfın mıʹrɑ:ʒ treın -- dreın
ʹtɑ:rı ʹtærıf ʹpıərıəd dıʹreıl tred -- dred
ʹevrı ʹfɒrın ʹmærıʤ dıʹraıv trenʧ -- drenʧ

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Respect yourself or no one will respect you.

2. When a friend asks there is no tomorrow.

3. Rack your brains.

4. The great Greek grape growers grow great Greek grapes.

 Consonant phoneme [j]

A mediolingual, constrictive, central, voiced sonant. In pronouncing this

sound the front of the tongue is raised to the hard palate. The tip of the tongue is
lowered. A narrowing of the air-passage is formed between the central part of the
tongue and the hard palate. The air passes through the narrowing formed there. The
soft palate is raised. The vocal chords are made to vibrate. The lips are spread or
neutral.

Phonetic exercise 86 Phonetic exercise 87 Phonetic exercise 88

i: -- ji: ji: jel jɑ: tju:b vju:
es -- jes ji:ld jen jɑ:n tju:n nju:d
æm -- jæm jıə jelp jɑ:d dju:k mju:z
ɔ: -- jɔ: jes jæŋk jɔ: dju:n ʹmju:zık
ıə -- jıə ji:st jæp jɔ:t dju:p pjʊə
ɔ:t -- jɔ:t jet jæk jɜʊk sju:t kjʊə

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.

2. No news is good news.

3. Yesterday I heard a curious and beautiful new tune.

4. Don’t argue about duty, or you’ll make me furious – I know the value of duty.

5. Excuse me if I refuse, but this suit isn’t suitable.

6. You know New York.

You need New York.
You know you need unique New York.
 Consonant phonemes [k], [g]

Back-lingual, occlusive, plosive consonants. [k] is voiceless, [g] is voiced.

In pronouncing these sounds the back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate
forming a complete obstruction. Immediately after that the tension in the place of
obstruction is released and the air breaks through the obstruction. The tip of the
tongue is retracted from the front lower teeth. The soft palate is raised. [k] is
pronounced with aspiration before vowels. In pronouncing [g] vocal chords are
made to vibrate.

Phonetic exercise 89 Phonetic exercise 90 Phonetic exercise 91

kıd kek kɔ:k gıv geıt gri:f pıg -- pık
kın keʤ kɔ:n gıft geın gri:t brıg -- brık
kıl kæb kɔ:l gılt geım gri:n wıg -- wık
kıθ kæp kɜ:k get gɒd greıd li:g -- li:k
ki:p kæn kɜ:b ges gɜʊ greıp bæg -- bæk
ki:n keık kɜ:s gæs gɜʊld grɑ:sp kræg -- kræk
ki:l kɑ:m kɒt gæp gɑ:d grɑ:nt dɒg -- dɒk
ki: kɑ:f kɜʊt gæʃ gu:s grʌʤ lɒg -- lɒk

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.

2. To tell tales out of school.

3. To carry coal to Newcastle.

4. If you can't can any candy can,

how many candy cans can a candy canner can
if he can can candy cans ? If you can't can any candy can,
how many candy cans can a candy canner can
if he can can candy cans ?
 Consonant phoneme [ŋ]
A backlingual, occlusive, nasal sonant. In pronouncing [ŋ] the back of the
tongue is raised towards the soft palate. The soft palate is lowered and a complete
obstruction is formed between the soft palate and the back of the tongue. The tip of
the tongue is at the lower teeth. The air passes through the nasal cavity. The vocal
chords are made to vibrate.

Phonetic exercise 92 Phonetic exercise 93

kıŋ bʌŋ ıŋk ʹsıŋgə klıŋ -- ʹklıŋıŋ θın -- θıŋ

flıg hʌŋ pıŋk ʹsprıŋgə sıŋ -- ʹsıŋıŋ pın -- pıŋ
strıŋ lʌg θıŋk ʹæŋgə rıŋ -- ʹrıŋıŋ dın -- dıŋ
hæŋ jʌŋ blæŋk ʹhæŋgə stıŋ -- ʹstıŋıŋ wın -- wıŋ
fæŋ gɒŋ θæŋk ʹgæŋgə brıŋ -- ʹbrıŋıŋ pæn -- pæŋ
klæŋ rɒŋ mʌŋk ʹjʌŋgə hæŋ -- ʹhæŋıŋ bæn -- bæŋ
slæŋ strɒŋ drʌŋk ʹlɒŋgə lɒŋ -- ʹlɒŋıŋ tʌn -- tʌŋ

Phonetic exercise 94
sıŋ hæŋk gʊd ʹmɔ:nıŋ
lɒŋ tæŋk gʊd ʹɑ:ftənu:n
ʹi:tıŋ ʹlıŋkıŋ gʊd ʹi:vnıŋ
ʹskeıtıŋ ʹθıŋkıŋ

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Seeing is believing.

2. Saying and doing are two things.

3. Anything’s better than going on doing nothing.

4. The spring brings mane charming things.

5. I think the thing is impossible.

 Consonant phoneme [h]

A pharyngal, constrictive, fricative, voiceless consonant. In pronouncing [h]

the narrowing is formed between the root of the tongue and the back part of the
pharynx. The vocal chords do not vibrate.

Phonetic exercise 95 Phonetic exercise 96

æm -- hæm hi: hʌnt bıʹhed

ænd -- hænd hi:p hɜ:t bıʹheıv
el -- hel hıt hɒt ınʹheıl
ɛə -- hɛə hıʧ hɔıst bıʹhaınd
i:v -- hi:v haı hɜʊp bıʹhɑ:f
ɔ:l -- hɔ:l haıd hɑ:d ınʹhæbıt
ɑ:m -- hɑ:m haıt hu:f pəʹhæs
ɑ:t -- hɑ:t

PROVERS AND SAYINGS TO PRACTICE

1. Habit cures habit.

2. He that has no head needs no hat.

3. High winds blow on high hills.

4. In Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire hurricanes hardly ever happen.

5. Humble hairy Herbert has his hand on his heart because he sees how his
brother’s horse has hurt his hoof in a hole while hunting. Henry helps him to
hobble home; Henry is very humorous.

6. A happy hippo hopped and hiccupped.

7. Harry Hunt hunts heavy hairy hares. Does Harry Hunt hunt heavy hairy hares? If
Harry Hunt hunts heavy hairy hares, Where are the heavy hairy hares Harry Hunt
hunts?
 The Four Types of Stressed Syllables

The way the vowel is read in English depends on the type of stressed
syllable. The type of the syllable is defined by the letters which follow the stressed
vowel. The stressed syllables are divided into four types:

I. Open:

a) absolutely open – the syllable ends in a vowel that is read as it is named

in the alphabet:

a -- [eı] nature

o -- [ɜʊ] no

e -- [i:] me

i -- [aı] item

y -- [aı] sky

u -- [ju:] unit

b) conditionally (conventionally) open – the syllable ends in the mute e:

a -- [eı] take

o -- [ɜʊ] note

e -- [i:] Pete

i -- [aı] time

y -- [aı] type

u -- [ju:] tune

II. Closed: the stressed vowel is followed by one or more consonants (except r ).
The vowel has a short reading:

a -- [æ] cat

o -- [ɒ] not
 e -- [e] met

i -- [ı] it

y -- [ı] lip

u -- [ʌ] cup

III. The Third type: Vowel + r + (consonant) The syllable ends in the
letter r which is not pronounced but shows that the vowel has a long reading:

a + r -- [ɑ:] far

o + r -- [ɔ:] sport

e + r -- [ɜ:] her

i + r -- [ɜ:] girl

y + r -- [ɜ:] myrtle

u + r -- [ɜ:] turn

IV. The Fourth type: Vowel + re The vowel is followed by the letters re
and is usually read as a diphthong:

a + re -- [eə] care but: are [ɑ:]

o + re -- [ɔ:] more

e + re -- [ıə] here but: there [ðɛə], where [wɛə], were [wɜ:]

i + re -- [aıə] fire

y + re -- [aıə] tyre

u + re -- [jʊə] pure but: sure [ʃʊə]

 READING RULES

1. -er; -or in an unstressed syllable give the sound [ə]

e.g. doctor [ʹdɒktə]; teacher [ʹti:ʧə]
2. o + ld = [ɜʊ]
e.g. cold [kɜʊld]
3. Letter s gives sound [z] in two cases:
 between vowels
e.g. visit [ʹvızıt];
 at the end of the word after voiced consonants and vowels
e.g. names [neımz], bags [bægz].

Letter s gives sound [s] in three cases:

 at the beginning of the word

e.g. sit [sıt], street [stri:t];
 at the end of the word after voiceless consonants
e.g. books [bʊks];
 before a consonant
e.g. task [tɑ:sk].

4. Letter c can be read as [s] or [k]. It is read as [s] before letters e, i, y. In all
other cases it is read as [k].

e.g. city [ʹsıtı], cycle [saıkl], cell [sel], coat [kɜʊt], cream [kri:m]

5. Letter combination ck is read as [k]

e.g. back [bæk]

6. Letter x before a stressed vowel is read as [gz], in other cases – as [ks].

e.g. exam [ıgʹzæm]

 THE RULES OF SYLLABLE DIVISION

In English vowels are syllable-forming sounds. But under certain conditions

sonants may become syllabic.

e.g. picture [pık-ʧə]

lesson [le-sn]

rhythm [rı-ðm]

table [teı-bl]

To denote the number of syllables it’s necessary to remember the following

rules of syllable-division:

1. If a stressed vowel is followed by one consonant (except r), this

consonant refers to the next syllable.
e.g. ʹstudent -- ʹstu-dent
In this word the first syllable is open and the vowel has alphabetic
reading. But in English there are some exceptions from the rule in which
vowels are read as short sounds.
e.g. city, pity, copy, very etc.

2. If a stressed vowel is followed by two consonants including double r, one

consonant refers to the first syllable and the next consonant refers to the second
syllable.

e.g. din-ner, mar-ry

In these words the first syllable is closed, so the vowels are read as short
sounds.

3. If a stressed vowel is followed by two consonants the last of which is a

sonant, both consonants refer to the second syllable.

e.g. ta-ble

In this word the first syllable is open and the vowel has alphabetic reading.
 STRESS IN ENGLISH

Word stress is the prominence given to the syllable or syllables of a word.

1. In two-syllable words the first syllable is usually stressed.

e.g. ʹof-fice,
ʹsup-per
Note! If a two-syllable word has a prefix, the second syllable is stressed.
e.g. reʹturn
beʹgin
2. In the three- and many-syllabic words the third syllable from the end is
usually stressed. The stressed vowel is usually short, except [ju:] which is
long.
e.g. ʹfac-to-ry
ex-ʹpe-ri-ment
ʹfu-ne-ral
Note! To denote a stressed syllable, endings and suffixes are not taken into
account.
e.g. ʹdemonstrate
ʹdemonstrating
Only the noun-forming suffix –ion influences the defining of a stressed
syllable. The syllable preceding the suffix becomes stressed. The stress of
the verb the noun is derived from becomes secondary.
e.g. ʹdemonstrate
ˏdemonʹstration
Some words have two main stresses. They are:
 numerals from 13 to 19
e.g. ʹfifʹteen, ʹsixʹteen etc.
 compound adjectives if their first element is an adjective
e.g. ʹgood-ʹlooking, ʹready-ʹmade etc.
 compound nouns and adjectives if their first and the second
element have their own distinct meaning.
e.g. ʹred ʹdeer, ʹgood ʹwill etc.
 the words with prefixes diving the word another as a rule,
opposite, meaning (un-, ir-, il-, non-, dis-, under-, etc.)
e.g. ʹdisʹlike, ʹunʹable, ʹirʹregular.