Unit 1
Section 1
Make a careful study of the text below and pick out the terms related to phonetics.
Phonetics as a Science
As you know, language is a very complex system of human communication, which is realized in spoken and written speech. Learning a foreign language is a lifelong process and one needs ample pratie in all its aspects (grammar, lexicon and phonetics) to master it. The students mastery of English is measured by how well he can use it in his speech and in writing.
Written English and spoken English are obviously very different things. Writing consists of marks on paper letters which are taken in by the eye (we read and write then), whilst speaking is organized sounds sounds taken in by the ear.
It is common knowledge that language starts with the ear. We acquire ability to listen and speak long before acquiring reading and writing skills, so one cannot doubt the importance of developing good articulatory and perceptive habits.
Phonetics is a branch of linguistics which studies the sound matter of the language and the way people produce, transmit and receive speech sounds. In its turn this science is divided into four main branches:
- articulatory phonetics, which studies the way the vocal organs are used to make speech sounds;
- acoustic phonetics, which is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds;
- auditory (or perceptive) phonetics, dealing with the way people perceive speech sounds.
- functional phonetics (or phonology) studies the linguistic functions of different phonetic units (sounds, syllables, stress, intonation etc.).
The primary objectives of most foreign learners are to understand English speech and to be understood, in other words, to hear and speak clearly. Ability to recognize and ability to pronounce the sounds of a foreign language are equally important. It has been proved that the better we pronounce separate sounds, their combinations, words and sentences, the easier we understand them in the speech of other people, and vice versa.
It is for this reason that only articulatory and auditory/perceptive branches are under study in the practical phonetic course.
Section 2 [ i:]
(front, close (narrow variant), unrounded, long)
I. Observe the position of the lips and the tongue for the sound [ i:]. Read the
words in the columns. Pay attention to the positional length of [ i:].
see seed seat
fee feed feet
Be bead beat
he heed heat
pea peas peace
knee knees niece
II. Read the sentences. Follow the tonetic marks.
1. Pleased to meet you. .
2. Please be seated. , .
3. A pea for a bean. .
4. Extreems meet. .
5. Greek meets Greek. .
6. Pete eats chiefly meat. , , .
7. How about meeting my people.
at three? 3 ?
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|
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8. Please feel free to live. , , .
9. My niece feels seedy.
.
III. Observe the correct pronunciation of the rhythmic groups and vowels.
'Come to `tea.|'Come to 'tea `with me. ç'Come to 'tea'with me by the
`sea.ç 'If you are ˇfree ç'come to 'tea 'with me by the `sea.ç 'Do you agree
to 'come to 'tea 'with me by the sea?||
IV. Match the following English idioms, proverbs and sayings with their Russian
equivalents. Make up situations to illustrate their usage.
1.the bees knees a.
2. A friend in need is a friend indeed b.
3. between the devil and the deep sea c. , ,
4. to heal the breach d.
5. a clean sheet e.
6. beat a retreat f.
7. grease the wheels g. ,
8. free and easy h.
9. get the key of the street i.
V. Practise the pronunciation of the following rhyme and learn it by heart.
Every Time I Climb a Tree
by David McCord
Every time I climb a tree
Every time I climb a tree
Every time I climb a tree
I scrape a leg
On skin a knee.
And every time I climb a tree
I find some ants
Or dodge a bee
And get the ants
All over me.
And every time I climb a tree
Where have you been?
They say to me
But dont they know that I am free
Every time I climb a tree?
For every time I climb a tree
I see a lot of things to see
Swallows, rooftops and TV
And all the fields and farms there be
Every time I climb a tree.
Though climbing may be good for ants
It isnt awfully good for pants
But still its pretty good for me
Every time I climb a tree.
VI. Practise saying the tongue twisters. Observe the correct articulation of [ i:].
1. Please, Pete, eat lean meat.
2. A sailor went to sea
To see what he could see.
And all he could see,
Was sea, sea, sea.
Section 3
I. Listen to the dialogue and learn it by heart.
In a Restaurant
Peter: What would you like to eat, Edith?
Edith: A meat sandwich.
Peter: Jean? Would you like a meat sandwich or a cheese sandwich?
Jean: A cheese sandwich, please, Peter.
Waiter: Good evening.
Peter: Good evening. Well have one meat sandwich and two cheese sandwiches.
Edith: And three teas, please!
Waiter: (writing down the order) One meat sandwich two cheese sandwiches
and three teas.
II. Conversational practice. (Asking alternative questions)
You are in a restaurant. Practise your own conversation, using this menu.
MENU
Leek soup Veal Beans Cheesecake Coffee
Pea soup Beef Peas Peaches Tea
Ice-cream
