English Language Acquisition – The Speech.

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Speech consists of features of pronunciation; which are phonemes, consonants (voiced and unvoiced), vowels (single vowels which are short and long) and diphthongs. As well as Suprasegmental Features which are intonation and stress (word stress and sentence stress.

Let’s start from phonemes, they differ, they are different sounds within the language. The difference is slightly noticeable in the articulation of individual sounds, it is the way each of the particular sound is produced. It is the sound which can change the meaning of the word for example hat [hat] and the word hut [hʌt].

Another importance, sounds might be voiced and unvoiced – voiceless. Voiced sounds occur when the vocal cords in the larynx are vibrated. It is easy to say whether the sound is voiced or voiceless by placing fingers on Adam’s apple.   The difference is felt in pronunciation [f] and [v]. Phonemes are divided into two categories vowel and consonant sounds. Vowel sounds are all voiced and may be single e.g. /e/->’let’, or occur in combination involving a movement from one vowel sound  to another e.g. /ei/->’late’. This combination is called – diphthongs or triphthongs when three vowel sounds are combined e.g. /au∂/-> our or power. Single vowel sound may be short or long e.g. /i/->hit or /i:/ -> heat.



Consonants are divided into voiced and voiceless. Suprasegmental features represent features of speech which generally apply to groups of segments or phonemes, the features which are very important in English are stress and intonation pattern. The way sounds change in connected speech. Usually one syllable in a word will sound more prominent and strongly than the others, e.g. paper or bottle. Stress gives rhythm to speech, intonation on the other hand is the way in which the pitch of the voice goes up and down, e.g.
1.    I’d like a cup of herbal tea. – it is a request, nothing more.
2.   I’d like a cup of herbal tea. – a particular sort of. Not any other.
3.   I’d like a cup of herbal tea. – not a mug.
To make a proper speech and to pronounce sounds correctly we are able to learn our vocal organs how to do it. It needs time and a lot of practice, the environment influences the manner of pronunciation; it will differ in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and England. We speak using lips, tongue, teeth, hard and soft palates and alveolar ridge. Every single time the process differs. Vowels are produced when the air stream is voiced through the vibration of the vocal cords in the larynx. 



The position of the tongue is very important. The space play the key role; ‘close’, ‘mid’ and ‘open’ stands for the distance between the tongue and the roof of the mouth; ‘front’, ‘centre’ and ‘back’ shows vertical lines – part of the tongue. The articulation of consonants can be voiced and voiceless.  For example the articulation of /p/ and /b/ is the same, there is just a greater force one uses to pronounce /p/- which is voiceless and less force in pronunciation of /b/ - which is voiced.  The manner of articulation is significant. It can be described as follows:

1.    plosive – the vocal tract makes almost a complete closure, the soft palate rises, the air pressure increases behind the closure, eventually is released explosively e.g. /p/ and /b/.
2.       affricate – a complete closure is made in the mouth, the soft palate is raised, the air pressure increases behind the closure. It is released more slowly, e.g. /t∫/ and /dƷ/
3.       fricative – when two vocal organs come close enough together for the movement of air  between them to be heard; e.g. /f/ and /v/.
4.       nasal – the closure is made by the lips or by the tongue against the palate, the soft palate is lowered, the air escapes through the nose; e.g. /n/ and /m/.
5.       lateral – a partial closure is made by the blade of the tongue against the alveolar ridge; air is able to flow around the sides of the tongue; e.g /l/
6.       appriximant – vocal organs come near to each other, do not close, yet, cause audible friction; e.g. /r/ and /w/.



The place of articulation is also important; bilabial refers to closing movements of both lips; e.g. /p/ and /m/. Labio-dental is using the lower lip and the upper-teeth; e.g. /f/ and /v/. Dental articulation is using the tongue tip either between the teeth or close to the upper teeth; e.g. /θ/ and /ð/. Alveolar is using the blade of the tongue close to the alveolar ridge; e.g. /t/ and /s/. Palato-alveolar is using the blade or the tip of the tongue just behind the alveolar ridge; e.g. /t∫/ and /dƷ/. Palatal articulation involves the front of the tongue which is raised  close to the palate; e.g. /j/. Velar is using the back of the tongue against the soft plate; e.g. /k/ and /ŋ/. And finally glottal is using the gap between the vocal cords to make audible friction; e.g. /h/.


The sounds have its own pronunciation and transcription which help to master its speech and utterance. To study the pronunciation learners usually choose phonetics classes or phonology classes. Phonetics has got direct connection to the language it is combined with.   Phonology concentrates on how we perceive sounds as such. Phonology is always monolingual.

Bibliography:
Brown, H.D. (2000): Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. White Plains, NY: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. Gass, S.M. I L. Selinker (2008): Second Language Acquisition. An Introductory Course. New York: Routledge. VanPatten, B. i J. Williams (red.) 2007: Theories in Second Language Acquisition. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
Ellis, R. (1994): The Study of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress. Larsen-Freeman, D. i M.H. Long (1991): An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Research. London: Longman.
Harmer, J. (1998): How to Teach English – An Introduction to the Practice of English Language Teaching. London, Longman
Kelly, G (2000): How to Teach Pronunciation. London, Longman
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