Theoretical phonetics exam answers
1.Phonetics as a branch of linguistics. Phonetics and other disciplines. Applications of phonetics. Ph-s is a basic branch of linguistics that studies the inventory, structure and functions of the speech sounds. Ph-s studies the phonemes and their allophones, the syllabic structure, the distribution of stress, intonation and the ways in which they are organized. Ph-s investigates into a system of units and the variation of the units in all types and styles of spoken language. Some disciplines like lexicology and grammar can not function without ph-s. Ph-s is connected with physics mathematics, statistics, physiology, anatomy, anthropology, history, archaeology.
2.Branches of phonetics. Articulatory ph-s is the study of the way the vocal organs are used to produce speech sounds. Acoustic ph-s is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds. Auditory ph-s is the study of the way people perceive speech sounds. Phonology – the functional (linguistic) aspect of speech sounds. Ph-s divided: general (special) and ph-s of particular language (descriptive). Historical ph-s traces the changes in the phonetic system of a language. Ph-s can be: theoretical (studies the material form of sounds) and practical (studies the functioning of phonetic units in language). All the branches of ph-s are closely connected with one another and with other branches of linguistics.
3.Aspects of the sound matter of language. Sound aspects: a) the articulatory aspect (the movements and positions of the speech organs, power, vibration, resonator, obstruction mechanism).
b) the acoustic aspect (sound waves – vocal cords>tone, overtones, harmonics, fundamental frequency>pitch of voice, amplitude>intensity);
c) the auditory (perceptive) aspect (physiological mechanism (ear>brain), psychological mechanism (to remember phonetic similarities));
d) the functional (linguistic) aspect (phonemes, syllables, stress, and intonation>meaningful units (morphemes, words, utterances).
2.Branches of phonetics. Articulatory ph-s is the study of the way the vocal organs are used to produce speech sounds. Acoustic ph-s is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds. Auditory ph-s is the study of the way people perceive speech sounds. Phonology – the functional (linguistic) aspect of speech sounds. Ph-s divided: general (special) and ph-s of particular language (descriptive). Historical ph-s traces the changes in the phonetic system of a language. Ph-s can be: theoretical (studies the material form of sounds) and practical (studies the functioning of phonetic units in language). All the branches of ph-s are closely connected with one another and with other branches of linguistics.
3.Aspects of the sound matter of language. Sound aspects: a) the articulatory aspect (the movements and positions of the speech organs, power, vibration, resonator, obstruction mechanism).
b) the acoustic aspect (sound waves – vocal cords>tone, overtones, harmonics, fundamental frequency>pitch of voice, amplitude>intensity);
c) the auditory (perceptive) aspect (physiological mechanism (ear>brain), psychological mechanism (to remember phonetic similarities));
d) the functional (linguistic) aspect (phonemes, syllables, stress, and intonation>meaningful units (morphemes, words, utterances).