What is Phonetics?

Phonetics is the branch of linguistics concerned with the production, perception, and physical nature of speech sounds. It enables us to describe scientifically how sounds are made, what exactly is wrong when they don't sound right, and what to do about pronunciation problems.

Speech sounds are made and modified by modifying the shape and positions of the various organs of speech in our mouths. According to the place of articulation adopted by our teeth, tongue, lips, and other organs, different sounds are produced. For example, /p/, /b and /m/ sounds are all bilabial, i.e. produced with both lips together.

A cross-section of the human head showing the points of articulation used in speech. Phoneticians use diagrams like this to describe accurately and scientifically how speech sounds are made, and to pinpoint problems precisely. Click on the image for a full-sized version to print out.

As well as place of articulation, the sounds we produce are determined by the vibration (or lack of vibration) from the vocal cords, more accurately known as the vocal folds (voicing). /s/ is distinguished from /z/ because /s/ has no voicing and /z/ is voiced.

Lastly, the way in which air is expelled through the speech organs (termed manner) makes the difference between, for example, /t/ and /s/ - /t/ is a stop, i.e. the air is completely blocked, while /s/ is a fricative, in which air escapes through a narrow constriction with noisy, hissing, friction.

Using this three-part description of voicing, place and manner, we can describe how all the sounds of all the languages of the world are made and compare objectively how the sounds of other languages compare with those of English.

The problem for adult learners is, that while we all find the sounds of our own language easy enough, making unfamiliar sounds and contrasts in other languages is extremely difficult. And this difficulty isn't just a matter of not being able to make the difference between foreign sounds - we can't even hear the difference between two sounds if the same contrast doesn't exist in our own language! By the time we reach adulthood, we have largely lost our natural childhood ability to make and distinguish the sounds of languages other than our mother tongue(s).

A common example is the English contrast between the vowel sounds in 'fit' and 'feet', a contrast which many languages do not have. If your language does not have this contrast (e.g. French, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Greek, and many more) then it is likely you will need phonetic training to even hear the contrast, before you can make the contrast yourself. As this pair of sounds distinguishes a very large number of words, it is important to learn it.

Another example of an important and difficult contrast is in words like 'dog' and 'dock' - the voiced/voiceless distinction. If you can't hear the difference between 'dogs' and 'docks', you certainly can't make the difference reliably. And this distinction between voiced and voiceless sounds at the end of words is a vital one whch runs through the whole system of English and distinguishes hundreds of word. Even though you would think the context makes clear what you mean, in fact it often doesn't - people are simply too polite to tell you they haven't understood, and go away wondering what you were talking about!

This unfortunately is a fact of growing older, and can never be entirely solved. However, phonetic training can help because it focusses your attention, probably for the first time, on the precise nature of sounds and on exactly what actions the speech organs are performing to make those sounds. This knowledge will give you an enhanced awareness of how you and others pronounce sounds, why miscommunications arise, and how to avoid them. Phonetic training is also invaluable for learning a new language - no longer will you have to call a sound a "funny R", or whatever - you will know exactly what each sound is and how it is made.

Acoustic phonetics

Using computer software and recording equipment we can analyse the acoustic properties of vocal sounds and highlight the exact nature of a learner's problem. Depending on your needs, I may use computer equipment to record your voice and draw your attention to particular areas which need attention and record you again after instruction to confirm the improvement.

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

The International Phonetic Alphabet is the world standard for transcribing the pronunciation all languages. It works on the principle that one symbol equals one sound and that the symbols are always used consistently, unlike the letters in English spelling. So for example we use the symbol /f/ to represent the first sound in 'fish' and 'photo' and the last sound in 'enough', which of course are all the same, and the symbol /v/ for the sound at the beginning of 'vase' and the end of 'of', which are both 'v' sounds, despite the spellling! Thus the IPA avoids the inconsistencies of English spelling and allows us to describe and record pronunciation accurately.

You will receive training in using these symbols so that you can use a pronunciation dictionary to look up any new words, place names, people's surnames, etc., in the future, thus solving the confusion caused by irregular English spellings.

Contact me on 07816 155472 to arrange your instruction in Phonetics.