The word vowel comes from the Latin word vowis meaning voice. In English we should make the distinction between spoken vowels and written vowels. In spoken English there are approximately 12 basic vowel sounds (see below); in written English, however, there are just 5 vowels. This means, obviously, that the […]
Continue ReadingVowels and Consonants in English
Vowels and Consonants are the sounds which go to make up the English language. If air passes straight through the mouth without being stopped or constricted anywhere, this forms a vowel sound. If the air is stopped at any point or the mouth is constricted somehow, then this creates […]
Continue ReadingVoiced and Voiceless in English Pronunciation
Voiced and Voiceless (sometimes Unvoiced) describe the two different ways we can make sounds in our mouths. The basic difference is this: voiced sounds occur when the vocal chords vibrate voiceless sounds occur when the vocal chords are still An Example of Voiced & Unvoiced The best way to explain […]
Continue ReadingThe Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone is an ancient Egyptian inscribed stone from about 200 BCE. It was inscribed with a decree issued on behalf of King Ptolemy V. What is important to linguists is that the same decree appears in 3 different languages. The top is in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics; the middle […]
Continue ReadingThe International Phonetic Association
The International Phonetic Association or IPA is the major as well as the oldest representative organization for phoneticians. It was established in 1886 in Paris. The aim of the IPA is to promote the scientific study of phonetics and the various practical applications of that science. One of the major […]
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