English PhoneticsEnglish Phonetics

许德华许德华

Objectives of the CourseObjectives of the Course

This course is intended to help the students to imThis course is intended to help the students to improve their English pronunciation, including suprove their English pronunciation, including such elements as ch elements as

1) the correct pronunciation of individual 1) the correct pronunciation of individual

phonemes and words in English phonemes and words in English 2) the rhythmic patterns of the English language 2) the rhythmic patterns of the English language 3) patterns and functions of English intonation, 3) patterns and functions of English intonation,

so that the students will be able to communicate more so that the students will be able to communicate more effectively with good pronunciation and intonation.effectively with good pronunciation and intonation.

Course contentCourse content

1.1. English phonemes: correct discrimination and English phonemes: correct discrimination and pronunciationpronunciation

2.2. Stress of English words and sentences: basic rStress of English words and sentences: basic rules and functionsules and functions

3.3. English rhythmic patterns: basic features and fEnglish rhythmic patterns: basic features and functionsunctions

4. English intonation: structures, functions and 4. English intonation: structures, functions and useuse

EnglishEnglish

West Germanic languageWest Germanic languageAbout 325 million native speakers:About 325 million native speakers:

Britain, 56 millionBritain, 56 millionthe USA, 232 million the USA, 232 million Canada, 24 million Canada, 24 million

Australia & New Zealand 17 millionAustralia & New Zealand 17 million

The sole official language in more than two dozThe sole official language in more than two dozen countriesen countries

The most important language of commerce The The most important language of commerce The most widely learned second languagemost widely learned second language

Elements of good English pronunciatioElements of good English pronunciationn

to pronounce correctly the individual speech sounds oto pronounce correctly the individual speech sounds of Englishf English

to pronounce correctly the speech sounds in their comto pronounce correctly the speech sounds in their combinations in isolated words as well as in sentencesbinations in isolated words as well as in sentences

to speak fluently with correct rhythm, including the cto speak fluently with correct rhythm, including the correct placement of stresses and pauses and the transitorrect placement of stresses and pauses and the transition of sounds according to the contextion of sounds according to the context

to speak with appropriate intonation according to the to speak with appropriate intonation according to the contextcontext

Syllable & Stressed SyllableSyllable & Stressed Syllable

What is a syllable?What is a syllable?

A word part and the basic unit of English rhythmA word part and the basic unit of English rhythm

What is a stressed syllable?What is a stressed syllable?

baba NAAAANAAAA nana

Syllable 1 Syllable 2Syllable 1 Syllable 2 Syllable 3 Syllable 3

(short)(short) (long) (long) (short) (short)

Stressed Syllables & Unstressed SyllStressed Syllables & Unstressed Syllablesables

Stressed syllables are strong syllables. Stressed syllables are strong syllables. Unstressed syllables are weak syllables.Unstressed syllables are weak syllables.

Stressed syllables:Stressed syllables: are longare long have a pitch changehave a pitch change have full vowel sounds.have full vowel sounds.

Unstressed syllables:Unstressed syllables: are shortare short often have a reduced vowel sound.often have a reduced vowel sound.