PRONUNCIATION AND PHONETICS Speaking and understanding American English

PRONUNCIATION AND PHONETICS Speaking and understanding American English Susannah Ewing Bölke

Speaking What did you learn about regional and variational differences in American English? generally? in pronunciation issues?

Vowels 3 Diphthongs front i ɪ high central eɪ ɛ mid low ə back u ʊ ʌ ɔɪ ɔ æ aɪaʊ oʊ ɑ

Vowels 3 – Drill and Practice 1. Practice the diphthongs. In the following sentences and phrases each word contains a diphthong. First, note the symbols, then say the phrases aloud. They go out. I know how. So I know. I owe eight. No way out. How they go. Say why now. I know why. Why buy now? 2. Now try these minimal pairs. ɛ - eɪ aʊ - oʊ bell - bail best - based fed - fade press - praise west - waist tell - tail kept - caped fell - fail about - a boat clown - clone doubt - dote found - phoned out - oat known - noun bow - bow foul - foal

Vowels 3 Which of these r’s are pronounced in Standard American English? Earth Day By Jane Yolen I am the Earth And the Earth is me. Each blade of grass, Each honey tree, Each bit of mud, And stick and stone Is blood and muscle, Skin and bone. And just as I Need every bit Of me to make My body fit, So Earth needs Grass and stone and tree And things that grow here Naturally. That’s why we Celebrate this day. That’s why across The world we say: As long as life, As dear, as free, I am the Earth And the Earth is me.

Vowels 3 – Drill and Practice Say a sentence that includes both words in each of the following items. Practice the sentence several times, focussing on the r and the preceding vowel. For example: quarts – gallon There are four quarts in a gallon. 1. centimeters – meter 2. hours – day 3. months – year 4. quarters – dollar 5. seconds – hour 6. years – century

Vowels 3 – Drill and Practice What are your favorites? State one or more items in each of the following categories, using complete sentences. Practice the sentence several times, focussing on the r and the preceding vowel. 1. actors 2. colors 3. sports 4. desserts 5. ice cream flavors 6. singers

Listening On why some items can be recycled, but not others.

Assignments • See OLAT for consolidation and practice • Two music-related tasks (we‘ll address both in two weeks): • I am sure you‘ve heard song lyrics that you misunderstood the first time (and perhaps every time after that!). Please share with us in the forum the song title and performer, and the lyrics – both what you (thought you) had heard and what they really were. You can find all song lyrics online if you google the song. . . • Find a few (4 -6) lines of a rap or hip-hop song you like, and practice rapping them the same way the original performer does. Pay close attention to the sounds and the rhythm. We will all ‘perform’ them in class!