Linking and
Word Initial /h/
Linking - What is it?
In order to maintain a smooth transition from one
word to another in English, we often link the last
sound of one word with the first sound of the next.
This linking can occur with three different
combinations of sounds.
Type 1 Linking
Consonant + Vowel
an apple
this argument
Related to ed ending?
If the ed ending has not been pronounced, or has
been mispronounced, a phonological error will
exist and the act of linking with highlight it.
Examples
looked at
turned away
jumped out
brushed his teeth
Type 2 Linking
Consonant 1 + Consonant 1
that total
this soup
The consonants MUST be identical to be
linked.
This is in contrast to the description of linking
in the textbook.
Type 3 Linking
Vowel + Vowel
my apple
to own
Sample Sentences
In each of the sentences below, indicate which two
words should be linked.
Well do that next time.
Well do that nextt time.
We had a bad day.
We hadt a badt day.
He wrote some memos.
He wrote somet memos.
The students showed up on campus.
The students showedt upt on campus.
They finished at six oclock.
They finishedt at sixt oclock.
Consider more links
Pages 95 100
Caution
Textbook examples for Type 3 linking capture
more than just consonant 1 + consonant 1 linking.
Consider page 97 examples
Dialogues page 99
What happens with /h/?
How long has it been since he had his
hair cut?
Which word initial h letters are
pronounced?
Which word initial h letters are not
pronounced?
How long (h)as it been since (h)e had
(h)is hair cut?
Questions?
1. Why are some h letters pronounced and others
not?
2. How do we produce /h/?
3. If there is no /h/ produced, is there linking?
Rules for /h/
In English, the word initial h is pronounced.
house, home, hospital, hierarchy, hypothesis
Exceptions.
It is not pronounced in the following 2 situations.
Exception to the rule #1
When the word in question is one of the
following ones borrowed from French:
heir, heiress, heirloom, herb, honour, honorific,
honorary, honorarium, hour, hourly, honest, honestly
Exception to the rule #2
When the word is pronoun or auxiliary verb within a
sentence.
he, his, him, her, has, have, had, (them)
Note the initial h IS pronounced when the pronoun
or auxiliary verb begins a sentence and when the
verb to have is either a main verb or means
must
Return to questions
1. How do we produce /h/?
2. If there is no /h/ produced, is linking possible?
3. If there is no /h/ produced, is linking desirable?
Examples
1. I didnt know he had the measles and
that he had gone to the hospital
I didnt know (h)e had the measles and
that (h)e (h)ad gone to the hospital
2. How is he going to have his house
painted?
How is (h)e going to have (h)is house
painted?
3. He holds the answer in his hands
He holds the answer in (h)is hands
Examples
4. Harold has been given the heirloom.
Harold (h)as been given the (h)eirloom
5. When did he question her honesty?
When did (h)e question (h)er
(h)onesty?
6. They have not been paid on an hourly
basis.
They (h)ave not been paid on an
(h)ourly basis.
Examples Add Linking
1. I didnt know (h)e had the measles
and that (h)e (h)ad gone to the
hospital
2. How is (h)e going to have (h)is house
painted?
3. He holds the answer in (h)is hands
4. Harold (h)as been given the
(h)eirloom.
5. When did (h)e question (h)er
(h)onesty?
6. They (h)ave not been paid on an
