To depict sounds in phonetics, it is customary to use transcription signs, since letters are not always convenient to use: Arabic letters have several forms of writing, in addition, they have additional signs, which may interfere with the designation of their variants; there are no letters to represent vowels.
There are two types of transcription: phonemic and phonetic, which are associated with the concept of phonemes and its variants.
If it is necessary to convey the composition of phonemes, then phonemic transcription is used. The phoneme is enclosed in oblique brackets /d/. If it is necessary to convey sounds with their shades (a variant of phonemes), then phonetic transcription is used. In this case, the sound is enclosed in square brackets: [a].
Arabic alphabet and transcription
additional characters for phonetic transcription:
// - phoneme; word in phonemic transcription
Sound; word in phonetic transcription
[ : ] - length of vowel sound (a:, i:, u:)
[ä] - front vowel
[å] - middle vowel
[a] - back vowel
[ ] - reduced vowel; neutral vowel
Topic 1. Consonants and vowels in ala
§6. Features of middle consonants
Mastering the pronunciation of the middle consonants of the Arabic language is very difficult due to their “similarity” with the corresponding sounds of the Russian language, for example: , , , etc.
It should be borne in mind that the middle consonants in Arabic cannot acquire a sign of hardness under the influence of the subsequent vowel, as, for example, in the Russian language: “garden” - “sit down”, “sto” - “sieve”. In Arabic the opposite process occurs: vowels adapt to consonants. Therefore, in the future, you should constantly work on the pronunciation of middle consonants, overcoming the habit of your native language to adapt the pronunciation of consonants to the subsequent vowel.
§7. Reduction of short unstressed vowels. Neutral vowel [].
Vowels of stressed and long syllables in ALA are distinguished by maximum stability and distinctness of sound. This full sound of vowels is called optimal, i.e. most favorable for auditory perception. The clarity and brightness of the optimal sound of stressed and long vowels is explained by two interdependent reasons: firstly, all vowel sounds under stress sound louder and somewhat longer than vowels in unstressed syllables; secondly, such an increase in duration provides sufficient time for full-fledged actions of the speech organs involved in tuning the resonant cavities and, therefore, determining the timbre of vowels. Accordingly, the features of an unstressed syllable are a slight decrease in volume and a reduction in duration. With such a weakening of the syllable, especially in fluent spoken speech, the tuning of the resonator systems often turns out to be inadequate, as a result of which the syllabic vowel loses its distinct timbre.
All types of weakening of vowels are called “reduction”, reduction in duration is called “quantitative reduction”, and loss of clarity of timbre is called “qualitative reduction”. The most common type of qualitative reduction is “neutralization.”
Losing their timbre quality, vowels acquire an indefinite shade, noticeably different from each of the main cardinal timbres for a given sound. A neutral sound is indicated in our transcription by the sign [].
INSTALLATION EXERCISES
1. Using the position of the tongue, lower jaw and lips for Russian [A], lift the lower jaw, reducing the volume of the oral cavity. At the same time, carefully maintain a flat tongue and a neutral position of the lips with slightly exposed teeth. Continuing test pronunciations of vowels from [A] until the complete loss of its cardinal timbre, observe the weakening of the shade [A] and the appearance of neutrality in quality. The neutral vowel obtained in this artificial way must be stable in isolated syllables under stress as an independently sounding vowel, necessary for the subsequent development of articulation of middle consonants.
2. (using a mirror and tactile control).
Pronouncing a neutral vowel several times, check the location of the organs of articulation according to the following three signs:
a) the body of the tongue is located in the center of the oral cavity, approximately in the position for Russian [A]
b) the distance between the upper and lower teeth is such that the tip of the tongue can be extended;
c) the upper lip is raised and the lower lip is lowered, exposing the teeth; lips are located flat on the gums without protrusion; the oral opening is of a neutral shape without horizontal stretching and without rounding.
Learn how to write English numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 30, 50, 100, 1000, 1000000 in words and learn how to count in English.
The VoxBook audio course has many examples of using numbers and numerals. So in the novel “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson from the famous song:
Fifteen men on the dead man's chest [fifteen men on a dead man's chest]
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum [yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum]!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest [drink and the devil will bring you to the end]
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Below are the numbers for English language with transcription and translation. Next, we discuss in detail the methods of forming cardinal numerals (Cardinal Numerals) and English counting.
| Number | Name in Russian | Title in English | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | one | one | |
| 2 | two | two | [ˈtuː] |
| 3 | three | three | [θriː] |
| 4 | four | four | |
| 5 | five | five | |
| 6 | six | six | |
| 7 | seven | seven | [ˈsevn] |
| 8 | eight | eight | |
| 9 | nine | nine | |
| 10 | ten | ten | |
| 11 | eleven | eleven | [ɪˈlevn̩] |
| 12 | twelve | twelve | |
| 20 | twenty | twenty | [ˈtwenti] |
| 30 | thirty | thirty thirty | [ˈθɜːti] |
| 40 | fourty | forty | [ˈfɔːti] |
| 50 | fifty | fifty | [ˈfɪfti] |
| 60 | sixty | sixty | [ˈsɪksti] |
| 70 | seventy | seventy | [ˈsevnti] |
| 80 | eighty | eighty | [ˈeɪti] |
| 90 | ninety | ninety | [ˈnaɪnti] |
| 100 | one hundred | a (one) hundred | [ə wʌn ˈhʌndrəd] |
| 1000 | thousand | a (one) thousand | [ə wʌn ˈθaʊzn̩d] |
| 1000000 | million | million / a (one) million | [ə (wʌn) ˈmɪlɪən] |
| 1000000000 | billion | milliard / a (one) milliard (BrE) billion / a (one) billion (AmE) |
[ə (wʌn) ˈmɪlɪɑːd] [ə (wʌn) ˈbɪlɪəŋ] |
Numbers in English 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
The numbers in English from 1 to 12 are i.e. indicate the number of objects and consist of one word (see table). The spelling of English numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 must be memorized. Based on their first ten, all other English numbers are formed.
Numbers in English from 13 to 19.
In English the numbers are 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
To form them, the suffix -teen is added to the English number from 1 to 10 from the third column of the table. The result is the figure needed to count from 13 to 19:
13 thirteen - thir teen[ˌθɜːˈtiːn]
14 fourteen - four teen[ˌfɔːˈtiːn]
15 fifteen - fif teen[ˌfɪfˈtiːn]
16 sixteen teen
17 seventeen - seven teen[ˌsevnˈtiːn]
18 eighteen - eigh teen[ˌeɪˈtiːn]
19 nineteen - nine teen[ˌnaɪnˈtiːn]
3 - 13 teen
5 - 15 teen
Stress of numerals with the suffix -teen.
In English, numerals ending in the suffix -teen have two stresses, on the first and second syllables (ˌ weak secondary stress and ˈ primary stress). Look at the transcription so as not to make mistakes in pronunciation:
13 - thirteen [ˌθɜːˈtiːn]
14 - fourteen [ˌfɔːˈtiːn]
15 - fifteen [ˌfɪfˈtiːn]
If a numeral with the suffix -teen is not followed by a noun, then during pronunciation the main emphasis falls on the suffix -teen:
fifteen
sixteen
When a numeral with the suffix -teen is a modifier of a noun (i.e. it is followed by a noun), then the stress does not fall on the suffix, but only on its first syllable:
fifteen pencils [ˈfɪftiːn ˈpensl̩z]
sixteen boxes [ˈsɪkstiːn ˈbɒksɪz]
In the VoxBook audio course in the fairy tale “The Fish and the Ring” from the collection English Fairy Tales, in which you can hear a similar emphasis (to do this, install the audio course on your computer and listen for yourself):
English numbers 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90.
English numbers denoting whole tens 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 are derived cardinal numerals. To form them, the suffix -ty is added to the tens digit from the third column of the table. The result is the required number of tens:
20 twenty - twen ty[ˈtwenti]
30 thirty - thir ty[ˈθɜːti]
40 forty - for ty[ˈfɔːti]
50 fifty - fif ty[ˈfɪfti]
60 sixty - six ty[ˈsɪksti]
70 seventy - seven ty[ˈsevnti]
80 eighty - eigh ty[ˈeɪti]
90 ninety - nine ty[ˈnaɪnti]
Please note that in the English numbers 20, 30, 40 and 50, the root of 2 two, 3 three, 4 four and 5 five are modified, and in the number 80 the repetition of the letter t disappears:
2 two - 20 ty [ˈtwenti]
3 three - 30 ty [ˈθɜːti]
4 four - 40 ty [ˈfɔːti]
5 five - 50 ty [ˈfɪfti]
8 eight - 80 ty [ˈeɪti]
Stress of numerals with the suffix -ty.
In English numerals ending in the suffix -ty, the stress falls only on the first syllable. Check out the transcription and pronunciation:
40 - forty [ˈfɔːti]
50 - fifty [ˈfɪfti]
60 - sixty [ˈsɪksti]
English numbers 100, 1000, 1000000.
English numbers from 100 to 1000 and 1000000 are presented at the end of the table (see above).
In English, before 100 hundred, 1000 thousand, 1000000 million, either the indefinite article a (which has the meaning one) or the word one is placed:
100 hundred - a(one) hundred [ə wʌn ˈhʌndrəd] (i.e. a hundred or one hundred)
1000 thousand - a(one) thousand
Please note that the article is not used with other cardinal numbers:
Three pencils. Three pencils.
Two girls. Two girls.
100 hundred, 1000 thousand and 1000000 million do not have the ending -s, including when they are preceded by another number other than one, for example:
100 hundred (one hundred) - one hundred or a hundred
200 two hundred - two hundred
300 three hundred - three hundred
400 four hundred - four hundred
500 five hundred - five hundred
600 six hundred - six hundred
700 seven hundred - seven hundred
800 eight hundred - eight hundred
900 nine hundred - nine hundred
Further
1000 thousand (one thousand) - one thousand or a thousand
2000 two thousand - two thousand
3000 three thousand - three thousand
4000 four thousand - four thousand
5000 five thousand - five thousand
etc.
1000000 million (one million) - one million or a million
2000000 two million - two million
3000000 three million - three million
4000000 four million - four million
5000000 five million - five million
6000000 six million - six million
etc.
Thus, the numeral is never given the ending -s, however...
However: the word meaning number can refer not only to a numeral (which does not need to end with -s), but also to a noun, which may already have an ending -s. For example, 100 hundred, 1000 thousand and 1000000 million end with -s when they express an indefinite number of hundreds, thousands or millions. In this case, they are nouns, and the noun that follows them (if there is one) is used with the preposition of:
Three millions of tons of coal. Three million tons of coal.
Hundred ideas for learning. Hundreds of teaching ideas.
Some birds can fly thousand kilometers. Some birds fly thousands of kilometers.
Four or five millions of specie had been lately thrown into circulation. Four, five million specie (for) Lately were put into circulation.
Everything said above also applies to others English numbers from 2 and above, which act as a noun:
Magnificent seven. The Magnificent Seven. (singular)
How many seven do you have? How many sevens do you have? (plural)
In the VoxBook audio course on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island, with this example:
Here it is about gentlemen of fortune [this is always the case with gentlemen of fortune = pirates]. They lives rough and they risk swinging [they live without comforts and risk the gallows], but they eat and drink like fighting cocks [but they eat and drink like kings: “fighting cocks” = show off], and when a cruise is done, why, it’s hundreds of pounds instead of hundreds of farthings in their pockets [and when the voyage is over = after sailing, well, they have hundreds of pounds in their pockets instead of hundreds of farthings = pennies].(R.L. Stevenson - "TREASURE ISLAND")
Note. In addition, the ending -s can be added to million when it is preceded by two, three, etc. provided there is no other number after it. In this case, million is followed by a noun with the preposition of:
Two millions of books. - Two million books.
English account. Compound cardinal numbers in English.
When counting in English in composite numbers from 20 to 99 (i.e., consisting of two numbers - tenths and units), a hyphen (dash) is placed between the tens and the following units:
20 - twenty [ˈtwenti]
21 - twenty-one [ˈtwenti wʌn]
22 - twenty-two [ˈtwenti ˈtuː]
etc.
30 - thirty [ˈθɜːti]
31 - thirty-one [ˈθɜːti wʌn]
32 - thirty-two [ˈθɜːti ˈtuː]
etc. 
In English account with composite numbers over 100, within every three digits, the conjunction and is placed before the tens (and if there are none, then before the units):
235 - two hundred thirty-five
407 - four hundred seven
2034 - two thousand thirty-four
2004 - two thousand four
5236 - five thousand two hundred thirty-six
250129 - two hundred fifty thousand, one hundred twenty-nine
4221589 - four million two hundred twenty-one thousand five hundred eighty-nine
203000000 - two hundred three million
In American English, the conjunction and is omitted, for example: 235 - two hundred hidden-five.
Some rules for translating numerals into English:
1. Russian genitive case of nouns after cardinal numbers do not do it translate into English with a noun with the preposition of (a common mistake):
In the VoxBook audio course in the fairy tale "JACK THE GIANT-KILLER" from the collection English Fairy Tales, in which this exact incident occurs:
...he is a huge and monstrous giant [he is a huge and monstrous giant] with three heads [with three heads]; he"ll fight five hundred men in armor [he will defeat/fight five hundred people in armor], and make them fly before him [and “will”= make them run away in front of him]."(English Fairy Tales - "JACK THE GIANT-KILLER")
2. Russian noun V singular after compound numerals ending in one (one, one), it should be translated into English with a plural noun:
twenty one day - twenty one day
three hundred fifty-one books - three hundred and fifty-one book
3. Cardinal numbers can appear as a definition after the word being defined. This especially applies to cases of designating page numbers, paragraphs, chapters and parts of books, house numbers, rooms, clothing and shoe sizes, bus numbers and has the meaning of an ordinal number, although it is replaced by a cardinal number:
part two - second part
chapter seven - chapter seven
Read lesson three. - Read the third lesson.
Open your book on page nineteen.- Open your books to page nineteen.
He lives in apartment 12 (twelve).- He lives in apartment 12.
4. Combinations of two of my sisters, five of your books, two of his friends, etc. translated into English language two of my sisters, five of your books, two of his friends (and not: two my brothers, five your books, two his friends - a common mistake).
For example, in the VoxBook audio course in the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, with exactly this example:
There were six of the Buccaneers, all told [there were six pirates there, "all counted" = in total]; not another man was left alive [no one else survived]. Five of them were on their feet, flushed and swollen [five of them were on their feet, with red and swollen /faces/],(R.L. Stevenson - "TREASURE ISLAND")
Transcription, phonetic transcription signs
Transcription is special signs and symbols that indicate pronounced speech sounds. The need to master transcription is due to the discrepancy between writing and pronunciation in English. There are a huge number of rules and exceptions with unreadable letters, or variations of sounds indicated by the same letter. No wonder they say: “Spelt London - read Liverpool.” In the English pronunciation system there are 48 sounds, therefore, there are 48 transcription signs.
Phonetic transcription signs for depicting sounds of the English language:
Consonants
[f] five [d] do [v] very [k] key
[ θ ] thick [ g ] gas [ ð ] this [ tʃ ] chin
[s] so [dʒ] Jim [z] zoo [m] mother
[ʃ] ship [n] no [ʒ] pleasure [ŋ] long
[ h ] horse [ l ] less [ p ] park [ r ] river
[ b ] book [ j ] yellow [ t ] tea [ w ] white
Vowels
[i:] eat [ei] lake [i] it [ai] like
[e] pen [au] house [æ] bad [ɔi] boy
[a:] art [ou] home [ɔ] box [iə] ear
[ʌ] cup [ɛə] air [u] cook [uə] poor
[u:] school [juə] Europe [ju:] tune [aiə] fire
[ə:] girl [auə] hour [ə] paper [ɔ:] all
Sounds [p, b, k, g, f, v, m]
When pronouncing English consonants [p, b, k, g, f, v, m], the organs of speech close and then quickly open, which is why they are called stops. The pronunciation of English stop sounds [p, b, k, g, f, v, m] coincides with the pronunciation of the corresponding Russian stop consonants [p, b, k, g, f, v, m]. At the end of words, English voiceless consonants [p, k, f] are pronounced vigorously. At the same time, voiced consonants [b, g, v] at the end of words and before voiceless consonants are not deafened.
Compare:
[p] stump - [p] pen (handle)
[ b ] box - [ b ] box (box)
[k] wedge - [k] clean (clean)
[g] goose - [g] goose (goose)
[f] football - [f] football (soccer)
[v] news - [v] vest (vest)
[m] cape - [m] miss (miss)
In writing, the sounds [p, b, k, g, f, v, m] are respectively designated by the letters: Pp [pi:], Bb [bi:], Kk [kei], Gg [dʒi:], Ff [ef], Vv [vi:], Mm [em].
The letter combination ph [ `pi: `eitʃ ] is also read as [ f ]: photo [ `foutou ].
Sounds [s, z]
When pronouncing English consonants [s, z], a gap is formed between the tip of the tongue and the alveoli through which air passes, which is why they are called fricative. When pronouncing fricative sounds [s, z] in English, the tip of the tongue is raised towards the alveoli, but does not touch them. The voice passes through the gap formed between the alveoli and the tip of the tongue, producing sound. When compared with the pronunciation of Russian fricative consonants, the tongue is located at the base of the lower teeth.
Compare: [s] - [s] [z] - [z]
himself - some (several)
start - start (start)
forest - less (less)
zebra
Zina - Zena
visit - visit
In writing, the sounds [s, z] are indicated:
Letters Ss [es]: some, start, Zz [zed]: zebra, Zena
Letter combination ss [dʌbl es]: less
The letter Cc [si:] before the vowels e, i, y: center, city, cycle.
Sound [r]
In the Russian language there is no sound similar to the English sound [r]. When pronouncing the sound [r], the tip of the tongue is raised to the back of the alveoli (tubercles behind the upper teeth). The tongue is motionless and does not vibrate. In order to make the English sound [r], you should pinch your cheeks with your fingers and pronounce the Russian sound “r” until the tongue stops vibrating.
English sound[r] sounds in the following words:
[ˈbrʌðə] brother - brother [veri] very - very
[rivə] river - river [ˈkærət] carrot - carrot
[ ri:zn ] reason - reason [ beri ] berry - berry
[ ru:d ] rude - rude [ ru:l ] rule - rule
[ rait ] write - write [ stri:t ] street - street
In writing, the sound [r] is indicated only by the letter Rr [a:]. For example: rain, river, very.
Sound [j]
The English sound [j] is pronounced the same way as the Russian sound "y", but less distinctly. It's not complicated at all. When pronouncing [j], the back of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate, but lower than with the Russian “y”. Forming a passage for air along the middle of the back of the tongue, the edges of the tongue are slightly pressed against the upper molars.
The English sound [j] sounds in the following words: [jet] yet - not yet
[jes yes] - yes
[jel] yell - shout loudly
[ˈjeləu] yellow - yellow
In writing, the sound [j] is not represented by any individual letter.
This sound is represented by the letter y [wai] if it is followed by any vowel. For example: yet, yes, yell, yield, yard, yoke.
Sound [w]
When pronouncing the English sound [w], the lips must be strongly rounded and pushed forward, forming a round gap. Then immediately move your tongue and lips into position for pronouncing the next vowel.
For example:
[ wu:d ] wood - forest [ wi:l ] wheel - wheel
[ wou ] woe - grief [ wið ] with - with (preposition)
[weit] wait - wait [wet] wet - wet
[wel] well - good [wi:k] weak - weak
In writing, the sound [w] is conveyed only by the letter Ww [dʌbl ju: ]: wait, watch, week, wet, wheel, woe.
Since there is no sound [w] in the Russian language, they try to replace it with the Russian sound “f”, less often “v”. When pronouncing [w], the lips are rounded and slightly protruded forward. When pronouncing [f, v], the upper teeth touch the lower lip as in the Russian “f”.
To compare:
[ fi:l ] feel (feel) - [ wi:l ] wheel (wheel)
[fou] foe (enemy) - [wou] woe (woe)
[fel] fell (fell) - [wel] well (good)
[feil] fail (to fail) - [weil] whale (whale)
[fu:l] fool (fool) - [wu:l] wool (wool)
[ wet ] wet (raw) - [ vet ] vet (veterinarian)
[weil] wail (howl) - [veil] veil (veil)
[ wi:l ] wheel (wheel) - [ vi:l ] veal (lamb)
[west] west (west) - [vest] vest (vest)
[wein] wane (damage) - [vein] vane (blade)
Sound [h]
The English sound [h] sounds like a slight exhalation and occurs only before vowels. At the moment of pronouncing the sound [h], the tongue takes position for the production of the subsequent vowel. Replacing the English sound [h] with the Russian “x” does not affect the meaning of the words, but gives the speech a strong Russian accent.
This is what [h] sounds like English words:
[ˈhɪərəu] hero - hero [hɔ:s] horse - horse
[ houm ] home - home [ help ] help - to help
[ ˈhju:mən] human - person [ hu:z ] whose - whose
[hai] high - high [ha:d] hard - hard
[həˈləu] hallo - hello [houtel] hotel - hotel
In writing, the sound [h] is represented by the letter Hh [eɪtʃ]: hot, help, how, hotel, hoсkey, hallow.
VIII
Sounds [ʃ, ʒ]
When pronouncing English sounds [ʃ, ʒ], the tip of the tongue, without touching the alveoli, is raised towards them. The sound [ʃ] is pronounced clearly, especially at the end of words, since it is unvoiced. The English sound [ʒ] is voiced. The pronunciation of the sounds [ʃ, ʒ] in Russian is reminiscent of combinations in the words: “awk, alive.” The sound [ʃ] in English words: The sound [ʒ] in English words:
[finiʃ] finish - finish
[ʃip] ship - ship
[ʃi:p] sheep - sheep
[ʃeip] shape - form
[ʃou] show - display
[meʒə] measure - measurement
[pleʒə] pleasure - pleasure
[viʒn] vision - vision
[ˈleʒə] leisure - leisure
[treʒə] treasure - treasure
In writing, the sound [ʃ] is rendered:
The letter combination sh: ship, shelf, shut, fish, finish.
In the suffixes tion, sian: vacation, Russian.
There is no letter correspondence for the sound [ʒ].
It is pronounced only in the suffixes: sure, sion: pleasure, measure, vision.
Sound [ŋ]
There is no similar sound [ŋ] in the Russian language, which is why it is often replaced with the Russian sound “n”. Unlike the Russian “n”, when pronouncing the tongue rests on the upper teeth, when pronouncing the English [ŋ], the tongue is at the base of the lower teeth. The mouth is open quite wide. Since the back of the tongue is in close contact with the lowered soft palate, air jet passes through the nasal cavity. The tip of the tongue should not be raised towards the alveoli to produce a clear nasal sound.
If you have problems pronouncing the sound [ŋ], you can try to start practicing it by pronouncing the Russian sound “m”, gradually opening your mouth, but without removing your tongue from the base of your lower teeth. It is very useful to control the work of the tongue by looking in the mirror. To make the sound [ŋ], another good technique is to inhale through the nose with the mouth open. The English sound [ŋ] sounds not only at the end of words, but also before the sounds [k], [g], [d].
Examples of the sound [ŋ] in English words:
[siŋ] sing - sing [kiŋ] king - king
[ lɔŋ ] long - long [ mɔ:niŋ ] morning - morning
[rɔŋ] wrong - wrong [i:vniŋ] evening - evening
[bæŋk] bank - bank [iŋglənd] England - England
[ tæŋk ] tank - tank [ kiŋdm ] kingdom - kingdom
The sound [ŋ] has no letter correspondence. It is pronounced before the consonant sounds [k], [g] if they are preceded by the sound [n], which in writing is denoted by the letter n: bank, England.
Be careful about the differences in pronunciation of the sounds [n] and [ŋ].
The differences between the sounds [n] and [ŋ] lie in the place where the obstruction is formed. When pronouncing the sound [n], the tongue rests on the alveoli. When pronouncing [ŋ], the tongue rests on the base of the lower teeth, the soft palate is lowered and air passes through the nasal cavity.
Compare:
[sin] sin (sin) - [siŋ] sing (sing)
[kin] kin (kinship) - [kiŋ] king (king)
[win] win (to win) - [wiŋ] wing (wing)
[fæn] fan (fan) - [fæŋ] fang (fang)
[bæn] ban (to prohibit) - [bæŋ] bang (roar)
Sounds [θ, ð]
In Russian there are no similar sounds [θ, ð].
For correct pronunciation These sounds, do the exercises below for the speech organs.
Blow air through your tongue inserted between your teeth. Make sure that your tongue is not tense and that your lips do not touch the edges of your tongue.
Place your tongue between your teeth and then quickly remove it. Do this exercise several times.
When pronouncing the sounds [θ, ð], the tongue is spread out and not tense, the tip of the tongue is between the teeth. The sound [θ] is pronounced as voiceless, and the sound [ð] with a voice is pronounced as voiced. Remember that your lips should not touch the edges of your tongue. You should quickly move your tongue behind your teeth so as not to interfere with the pronunciation of the subsequent sound. These sounds should not be replaced with Russian “s, z” or English [z, t, d].
For example:
[ðei] they - they [θik] thick - thick
[ðem] them - them [θin] thin - thin
[ðen] then - then [miθ] myth - myth
[ðis] this - this [tenθ] tenth - tenth
[beið] bathe - bathe tooth - Timofey
In writing, the sounds [θ, ð] are denoted by the letter combination th. The sound [ð], as a rule, sounds in function words:
In the definite article (the)
In pronouns (this, that, they, them)
At the end of words before the letter e (bathe)
If the letter combination th is an ending for the formation of ordinal numbers, then it is pronounced as [θ], for example: tenth.
Pay attention to the difference in the pronunciation of the sounds [θ] - [s] - [t]:
Since there is no sound [θ] in the Russian language, they try to replace it with either the sound [s], or [t], which leads to a gross violation of the meaning. The sound [θ] is interdental. When pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue is between the teeth. The sounds [t, s] are alveolar. When pronouncing [t], the tip of the tongue comes into contact with the alveoli. When pronouncing [s], the tip of the tongue rises to the alveoli.
Compare:
[feis] face (face) - [feiθ] faith (faith)
[mis] miss (miss) - [miθ] myth (myth)
[ tens ] tense (tense) - [ tenθ ] tenth (tenth)
[tin] tin (tin can) - [θin] thin (thin)
[tru:] true (truthful) - [θru:] through (through)
[ tri: ] tree (tree) - [ θri: ] three (three)
[sik] sick (sick) - [θik] thick (thick)
Due to the absence of the sound [ð] in the Russian language, it is often replaced with the sounds [z], [d], which leads to a gross violation of the meaning. The sound [ð] is a voiced interdental consonant. It is pronounced the same as [θ] only with voice. The sounds [z, d] are voiced alveolar consonants.
Compare:
[beið] bathe (swim) - [beiz] base (base)
[ bri:ð ] breathe (breathe) - [ bri:z ] breeze (light breeze)
[ si:ð ] seethe (boil) - [ si:z ] seize (grab)
[ðei] they (they) - [dei] day (day)
[ðen] then (then) - [den] den (den)
Sound [tʃ]
When pronouncing the English sound [tʃ], the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli (tubercles behind the front upper teeth), in this position of the tongue, pronounce the Russian sound “ch” (tea, often), you will get exactly the same English sound [tʃ]. This sound is pronounced clearly and smoothly and does not soften before vowels. A typical mistake is an indistinct sound [tʃ]. To overcome this error, the tip of the tongue should be held longer at the alveoli, prolonging the sound of [tʃ].
The English sound [tʃ] is heard in the following English words:
[ditʃ] ditch - ditch [tʃik] chick - chicken
[tʃein] chain - chain [piktʃə] picture - picture
[ ri:tʃ ] reach - to reach [ ti:tʃə ] teacher - teacher
[ bentʃ ] bench - bench [ tʃi:z ] cheese - cheese
The sound [tʃ] in writing is conveyed by letter combinations:
Ch [si: eitʃ]: bench, chick, cheese, chain.
Tch [ti: si: eitʃ]: ditch, catch
4-letter rule: To know which letter combination to choose ch or tch, you can use the 4-letter rule, which states that the letter h must be the fourth letter, including the first vowel. For example: each, bench, teach, reach, match, scotch, catch.
The suffix ture is pronounced [tʃə]: picture, lecture.
Sound [dʒ]
The English sound [dʒ] is articulated in the same way as [tʃ], but is pronounced loudly. Both elements of the sound should be pronounced together, without lifting the tip of the tongue from the alveoli.
The English sound [dʒ] is heard in the following English words:
[dʒim] gym - gym [vilidʒ] village - village
[dʒæm] jam - jam [keidʒ] cage - cage
[dʒʌɡ] jug - jug [ledʒ] ledge - ledge
[dʒu:n] June - June [si:dʒ] siege - siege
[deindʒə] danger - danger [peidʒiz] pages - pages
[eidʒ] age - age [ingeidʒmənt] engagement - engagement
In writing, the sound [dʒ] is conveyed:
Letter j [dʒei]: Jill, Jane, June.
The letter g [dʒi:] before the vowels e, i, y: Gem, cage, gym
The exceptions are the words: get [get], give [giv], gift [gift].
In English, consonants differ in their voicedness and deafness. Therefore, you should not mix voiced [dʒ] and voiceless [tʃ], as this leads to confusion of words:
[tʃin] chin (chin) - [dʒin] gin (gin)
[tʃein] chain (chain) - [dʒein] Jane (Jane)
[tʃest] chest (chest) - [dʒest] jest (joke)
[tʃu:] chew (chew) - [dʒu:] Jew (Jew)
[ritʃ] rich (rich) - [ridʒ] ridge (mountain range)
XIII
Sound [ʌ]
The English sound [ʌ] is a short, relaxed vowel. When pronouncing [ʌ], the lips are neutral, the mouth is half open. The tongue is slightly moved away from the base of the lower teeth. If we pronounce the Russian sound “a”, then we significantly move our tongue away from our teeth, but do not stretch our lips. The sound [ʌ] is similar to the Russian unstressed sound “a” in the word “braid”.
Compare:
"match" - much - a lot
"bak" - buck - male deer
"pan" - pun - pun
"himself" - some - several
"drip" - cup - cup
And this is what [ʌ] sounds like in English words:
[bʌt] but - but [kʌm] come - to come
[lʌv] love - love [kʌntri] country - country
[dʌl] dull - boring [ʌs] us - to us
[gʌn] gun - weapon [ʌgli] ugly - ugly
[sʌmə] summer - summer [stʌdi] study - to study
In writing, the sound [ʌ] is rendered:
The letter u if it is followed by one or more consonants: but, dull, just, gun, under.
The letter o before m, n, v, th: come, mother, love, front.
Pay attention to the difference in the pronunciation of the short, relaxed sound [ʌ] and the long, tense sound [a:]. The differences in the pronunciation of the sounds [ʌ] and [a:] are not only in length - brevity, but also in the quality of these sounds. When pronouncing [ʌ], the tongue lies at the base of the lower teeth, the lips are neutral. This is a more anterior sound, reminiscent of the unstressed "a" sound in wasp. When pronouncing [a:], the tongue is pulled away from the lower teeth, the lips are slightly rounded. This sound has a thick timbre and a deep, low-pitched tone.
Compare:
[kʌm] come (to come) - [ka:m] calm (calm)
[dʌk] duck (duck) - [da:k] dark (dark)
[lʌk] luck (luck) - [la:k] lark (lark)
[ bʌt ] but (but) - [ ba:t ] Bart (Bart (name))
[ pʌk ] puck (puck) - [ pa:k ] park (park)
Before moving on to phonetic analysis with examples, we draw your attention to the fact that letters and sounds in words are not always the same thing.
Letters- these are letters, graphic symbols, with the help of which the content of a text is conveyed or a conversation is outlined. Letters are used to visually convey meaning; we perceive them with our eyes. The letters can be read. When you read letters out loud, you form sounds - syllables - words.
A list of all letters is just an alphabet
Almost every schoolchild knows how many letters are in the Russian alphabet. That's right, there are 33 of them in total. The Russian alphabet is called the Cyrillic alphabet. The letters of the alphabet are arranged in a certain sequence:
Russian alphabet:
In total, the Russian alphabet uses:
- 21 letters for consonants;
- 10 letters - vowels;
- and two: ь (soft sign) and ъ (hard sign), which indicate properties, but do not themselves define any sound units.
You often pronounce sounds in phrases differently from how you write them in writing. In addition, a word may use more letters than sounds. For example, “children’s” - the letters “T” and “S” merge into one phoneme [ts]. And vice versa, the number of sounds in the word “blacken” is greater, since the letter “Yu” in this case is pronounced as [yu].
What is phonetic analysis?
We perceive spoken speech by ear. By phonetic analysis of a word we mean the characteristics of the sound composition. In the school curriculum, such analysis is more often called “sound-letter” analysis. So, with phonetic analysis, you simply describe the properties of sounds, their characteristics depending on the environment and the syllabic structure of a phrase united by a common word stress.
Phonetic transcription
For sound-letter parsing, a special transcription in square brackets is used. For example, it is correctly written:
- black -> [h"orny"]
- apple -> [yablaka]
- anchor -> [yakar"]
- Christmas tree -> [yolka]
- sun -> [sontse]
The phonetic parsing scheme uses special symbols. Thanks to this, it is possible to correctly designate and distinguish the letter notation (spelling) and the sound definition of letters (phonemes).
- The phonetically parsed word is enclosed in square brackets – ;
- a soft consonant is indicated by a transcription sign [’] - an apostrophe;
- percussive [´] - accent;
- in complex word forms from several roots, the secondary stress sign [`] - gravis is used (not practiced in the school curriculum);
- the letters of the alphabet Yu, Ya, E, Ё, ь and Ъ are NEVER used in transcription (in the curriculum);
- for doubled consonants, [:] is used - a sign of the longitude of the sound.
Below are detailed rules for orthoepic, alphabetic, phonetic and word analysis with online examples, in accordance with general school standards of the modern Russian language. For professional linguists, the transcription of phonetic characteristics differs in accents and other symbols with additional acoustic signs vowel and consonant phonemes.
How to make a phonetic analysis of a word?
The following diagram will help you carry out letter analysis:
- Write down the necessary word and say it out loud several times.
- Count how many vowels and consonants there are in it.
- Indicate the stressed syllable. (Stress, using intensity (energy), distinguishes a certain phoneme in speech from a number of homogeneous sound units.)
- Divide the phonetic word into syllables and indicate their total number. Remember that syllable division in is different from the rules of transfer. The total number of syllables always matches the number of vowels.
- In the transcription, sort the word by sounds.
- Write the letters from the phrase in a column.
- Opposite each letter in square brackets, indicate its sound definition (how it is heard). Remember that sounds in words are not always identical to letters. The letters "ь" and "ъ" do not represent any sounds. The letters “e”, “e”, “yu”, “ya”, “i” can represent 2 sounds at once.
- Analyze each phoneme separately and indicate its properties separated by commas:
- for a vowel we indicate in the characteristic: vowel sound; stressed or unstressed;
- in the characteristics of consonants we indicate: consonant sound; hard or soft, voiced or deaf, sonorant, paired/unpaired in hardness-softness and sonority-dullness.
- At the end of the phonetic analysis of the word, draw a line and count the total number of letters and sounds.
This scheme is practiced in the school curriculum.
An example of phonetic analysis of a word
Here is a sample phonetic analysis of the composition for the word “phenomenon” → [yivl’e′n’ie]. In this example there are 4 vowels and 3 consonants. There are only 4 syllables: I-vle′-n-e. The emphasis falls on the second.
Sound characteristics of letters:
i [th] - acc., unpaired soft, unpaired voiced, sonorant [i] - vowel, unstressedv [v] - acc., paired hard, paired sound l [l'] - acc., paired soft., unpaired . sound, sonorant [e′] - vowel, stressed [n’] - consonant, paired soft, unpaired sound, sonorant and [i] - vowel, unstressed [th] - consonant, unpaired. soft, unpaired sound, sonorant [e] - vowel, unstressed________________________In total, the word phenomenon has 7 letters, 9 sounds. The first letter “I” and the last “E” each represent two sounds.
Now you know how to do sound-letter analysis yourself. The following is a classification of sound units of the Russian language, their relationships and transcription rules for sound-letter analysis.
Phonetics and sounds in Russian
What sounds are there?
All sound units are divided into vowels and consonants. Vowel sounds, in turn, can be stressed or unstressed. The consonant sound in Russian words can be: hard - soft, voiced - deaf, hissing, sonorous.
How many sounds are there in Russian living speech?
The correct answer is 42.
Doing phonetic analysis online, you will find that 36 consonants and 6 vowels are involved in word formation. Many people have a reasonable question: why is there such a strange inconsistency? Why does the total number of sounds and letters differ for both vowels and consonants?
All this is easily explained. A number of letters, when participating in word formation, can denote 2 sounds at once. For example, softness-hardness pairs:
- [b] - cheerful and [b’] - squirrel;
- or [d]-[d’]: home - to do.
And some do not have a pair, for example [h’] will always be soft. If you doubt it, try to say it firmly and make sure it is impossible: stream, pack, spoon, black, Chegevara, boy, little rabbit, bird cherry, bees. Thanks to this practical solution, our alphabet has not reached dimensionless proportions, and the sound units are optimally complemented, merging with each other.
Vowel sounds in Russian words
Vowel sounds Unlike consonants, they are melodic; they flow freely, as if in a chant, from the larynx, without barriers or tension of the ligaments. The louder you try to pronounce the vowel, the wider you will have to open your mouth. And vice versa, the louder you try to pronounce a consonant, the more energetically you will close oral cavity. This is the most striking articulatory difference between these phoneme classes.
The stress in any word form can only fall on the vowel sound, but there are also unstressed vowels.
How many vowel sounds are there in Russian phonetics?
Russian speech uses fewer vowel phonemes than letters. There are only six shock sounds: [a], [i], [o], [e], [u], [s]. And let us remind you that there are ten letters: a, e, e, i, o, u, y, e, i, yu. The vowels E, E, Yu, I are not “pure” sounds in transcription are not used. Often, when parsing words by letter, the emphasis falls on the listed letters.
Phonetics: characteristics of stressed vowels
The main phonemic feature of Russian speech is the clear pronunciation of vowel phonemes in stressed syllables. Stressed syllables in Russian phonetics are distinguished by the force of exhalation, increased duration of sound and are pronounced undistorted. Since they are pronounced clearly and expressively, sound analysis syllables with stressed vowel phonemes are much easier to carry out. The position in which the sound does not undergo changes and retains its basic form is called strong position. This position can only be occupied by a stressed sound and a syllable. Unstressed phonemes and syllables remain in a weak position.
- The vowel in a stressed syllable is always in a strong position, that is, it is pronounced more clearly, with the greatest strength and duration.
- A vowel in an unstressed position is in a weak position, that is, it is pronounced with less force and not so clearly.
In the Russian language, only one phoneme “U” retains unchangeable phonetic properties: kuruza, tablet, u chus, u lov - in all positions it is pronounced clearly as [u]. This means that the vowel “U” is not subject to qualitative reduction. Attention: in writing, the phoneme [y] can also be indicated by another letter “U”: muesli [m’u ´sl’i], key [kl’u ´ch’], etc.
Analysis of the sounds of stressed vowels
The vowel phoneme [o] occurs only in a strong position (under stress). In such cases, “O” is not subject to reduction: cat [ko´ t'ik], bell [kalako´ l'ch'yk], milk [malako´], eight [vo´ s'im'], search [paisko´ vaya], dialect [go´ var], autumn [o´ s'in'].
An exception to the rule of a strong position for “O”, when the unstressed [o] is also pronounced clearly, are only some foreign words: cocoa [kaka "o], patio [pa"tio], radio [ra"dio], boa [bo a "] and a number of service units, for example, the conjunction but. The sound [o] in writing can be reflected by another letter “ё” - [o]: thorn [t’o´ rn], fire [kas’t’o´ r]. It will also not be difficult to analyze the sounds of the remaining four vowels in the stressed position.
Unstressed vowels and sounds in Russian words
It is possible to make a correct sound analysis and accurately determine the characteristics of a vowel only after placing stress in the word. Do not forget also about the existence of homonymy in our language: za"mok - zamo"k and about the change in phonetic qualities depending on the context (case, number):
- I'm home [ya do "ma].
- New houses [no "vye da ma"].
IN unstressed position the vowel is modified, that is, pronounced differently than written:
- mountains - mountain = [go "ry] - [ga ra"];
- he - online = [o "n] - [a nla"yn]
- witness line = [sv’id’e “t’i l’n’itsa].
Such changes in vowels in unstressed syllables are called reduction. Quantitative, when the duration of the sound changes. And high-quality reduction, when the characteristics of the original sound change.
The same unstressed vowel letter can change its phonetic characteristics depending on its position:
- primarily relative to the stressed syllable;
- at the absolute beginning or end of a word;
- in open syllables (consisting of only one vowel);
- on the influence of neighboring signs (ь, ъ) and consonant.
Yes, it varies 1st degree of reduction. It is subject to:
- vowels in the first pre-stressed syllable;
- naked syllable at the very beginning;
- repeated vowels.
Note: To make a sound-letter analysis, the first pre-stressed syllable is determined not from the “head” of the phonetic word, but in relation to the stressed syllable: the first to the left of it. In principle, it can be the only pre-shock: not-here [n’iz’d’e’shn’ii].
(uncovered syllable)+(2-3 pre-stressed syllable)+ 1st pre-stressed syllable ← Stressed syllable → over-stressed syllable (+2/3 over-stressed syllable)
- vper-re -di [fp’ir’i d’i´];
- e -ste-ste-st-no [yi s’t’e´s’t’v’in:a];
Any other pre-stressed syllables and all post-stressed syllables when sound analysis belong to the reduction of the 2nd degree. It is also called a “weak position of the second degree.”
- kiss [pa-tsy-la-va´t’];
- model [ma-dy-l’i´-ra-vat’];
- swallow [la´-sta -ch’ka];
- kerosene [k'i-ra-s'i´-na-vy].
The reduction of vowels in a weak position also differs in stages: second, third (after hard and soft consonants - this is outside the curriculum): learn [uch'i´ts:a], become numb [atsyp'in'e´t '], hope [nad'e´zhda]. During letter analysis, the reduction of the vowel in the weak position in the final open syllable (= at the absolute end of the word) will appear very slightly:
- cup;
- goddess;
- with songs;
- turn.
Sound-letter analysis: iotized sounds
Phonetically, the letters E - [ye], Yo - [yo], Yu - [yu], Ya - [ya] often mean two sounds at once. Have you noticed that in all the indicated cases the additional phoneme is “Y”? That is why these vowels are called iotized. The meaning of the letters E, E, Yu, I is determined by their positional position.
When analyzed phonetically, the vowels e, e, yu, i form 2 sounds:
◊ Yo - [yo], Yu - [yu], E - [ye], I - [ya] in cases where there are:
- At the beginning of the words “Yo” and “Yu” are always:
- - shudder [yo´ zhyts:a], Christmas tree [yo´ lach’nyy], hedgehog [yo´ zhyk], container [yo´ mcast’];
- - jeweler [yuv ’il’i´r], top [yu la´], skirt [yu´ pka], Jupiter [yu p’i´t’ir], nimbleness [yu ´rkas’t’];
- at the beginning of the words “E” and “I” only under stress*:
- - spruce [ye´ l’], travel [ye´ w:u], huntsman [ye´ g’ir’], eunuch [ye´ vnukh];
- - yacht [ya´ hta], anchor [ya´ kar’], yaki [ya´ ki], apple [ya´ blaka];
- (*to perform sound-letter analysis of the unstressed vowels “E” and “I”, a different phonetic transcription is used, see below);
- in the position immediately after the vowel “Yo” and “Yu” always. But “E” and “I” are in stressed and unstressed syllables, except in cases where these letters are located after a vowel in the 1st pre-stressed syllable or in the 1st, 2nd unstressed syllable in the middle of words. Phonetic analysis online and examples in specified cases:
- - receiver [pr’iyo´mn’ik], sings t [payo´t], klyyo t [kl’uyo ´t];
- -ayu rveda [ayu r’v’e´da], I sing t [payu ´t], melt [ta´yu t], cabin [kayu ´ta],
- after the dividing solid “Ъ” the sign “Ё” and “Yu” - always, and “E” and “I” only under stress or at the absolute end of the word: - volume [ab yo´m], shooting [syo´mka], adjutant [adyu "ta´nt]
- after the dividing soft “b” the sign “Ё” and “Yu” is always, and “E” and “I” are under stress or at the absolute end of the word: - interview [intyrv'yu´], trees [d'ir'e´ v'ya], friends [druz'ya´], brothers [bra´t'ya], monkey [ab'iz'ya´ na], blizzard [v'yu´ ga], family [s'em'ya´ ]
As you can see, in the phonemic system of the Russian language, stress is of decisive importance. Vowels in unstressed syllables undergo the greatest reduction. Let's continue the sound-letter analysis of the remaining iotized ones and see how they can still change characteristics depending on the environment in the words.
◊ Unstressed vowels“E” and “I” designate two sounds and in phonetic transcription and are written as [YI]:
- at the very beginning of the word:
- - unity [yi d'in'e´n'i'ye], spruce [yil´vyy], blackberry [yizhiv'i´ka], him [yivo´], fidget [yigaza´], Yenisei [yin'is 'e´y], Egypt [yig'i´p'it];
- - January [yi nvarskiy], core [yidro´], sting [yiz'v'i´t'], label [yirly´k], Japan [yipo´n'iya], lamb [yign'o´nak ];
- (The only exceptions are rare foreign word forms and names: Caucasoid [ye vrap'io´idnaya], Evgeniy [ye] vgeny, European [ye vrap'e´yits], diocese [ye] pa´rkhiya, etc.).
- immediately after a vowel in the 1st pre-stressed syllable or in the 1st, 2nd post-stressed syllable, except for the location at the absolute end of the word.
- in a timely manner [svai vr'e´m'ina], trains [payi zda´], let's eat [payi d'i´m], run into [nayi w:a´t'], Belgian [b'il'g'i´ yi c], students [uch'a´sh'iyi s'a], with sentences [pr'idlazhe´n'iyi m'i], vanity [suyi ta´],
- bark [la´yi t'], pendulum [ma´yi tn'ik], hare [za´yi c], belt [po´yi s], declare [zayi v'i´t'], show [prayi in 'l'u´]
- after the dividing hard “Ъ” or soft “b” sign: - intoxicating [p'yi n'i´t], express [izyi v'i´t'], announcement [abyi vl'e´n'iye], edible [syi dobny].
Note: The St. Petersburg phonological school is characterized by “ecane”, and the Moscow school is characterized by “hiccup”. Previously, the iotrated “Yo” was pronounced with a more accented “Ye”. With a change of capitals, performing sound-letter analysis, adhere to Moscow norms in orthoepy.
Some people in fluent speech pronounce the vowel “I” the same way in syllables with a strong and weak position. This pronunciation is considered a dialect and is not literary. Remember, the vowel “I” under stress and without stress is voiced differently: fair [ya ´marka], but egg [yi ytso´].
Important:
The letter “I” after the soft sign “b” also represents 2 sounds - [YI] in sound-letter analysis. (This rule is relevant for syllables in both strong and weak positions). Let's conduct a sample of online sound-letter analysis: - nightingales [salav'yi´], on chicken legs [na ku´r'yi' x" no´shkah], rabbit [kro´l'ich'yi], no family [s'im 'yi´], judges [su´d'yi], draws [n'ich'yi´], streams [ruch'yi´], foxes [li´s'yi]. But: Vowel “O” after a soft sign “b” is transcribed as an apostrophe of softness ['] of the preceding consonant and [O], although when pronouncing the phoneme, iotization can be heard: broth [bul'o´n], pavilion n [pav'il'o´n], similarly: postman n , champignon n, chignon n, companion n, medallion n, battalion n, guillot tina, carmagno la, mignon n and others.
Phonetic analysis of words, when the vowels “Yu” “E” “E” “I” form 1 sound
According to the rules of phonetics of the Russian language, at a certain position in words, the designated letters give one sound when:
- sound units “Yo” “Yu” “E” are under stress after an unpaired consonant in hardness: zh, sh, ts. Then they represent phonemes:
- ё - [o],
- e - [e],
- yu - [y].
- The letters “I” “Yu” “E” “E” and “I” indicate the softness of the preceding consonant [’]. Exception only for: [f], [w], [c]. In such cases in a striking position they form one vowel sound:
- ё – [o]: ticket [put'o´ fka], easy [l'o´ hk'iy], honey fungus [ap'o´ nak], actor [akt'o´ r], child [r'ib' o´nak];
- e – [e]: seal [t’ul’e´ n’], mirror [z’e’ rkala], smarter [umn’e´ ye], conveyor [kanv’e´ yir];
- I – [a]: kittens [kat'a´ ta], softly [m'a´ hka], oath [kl'a´ tva], took [vz'a´ l], mattress [t'u f'a ´ k], swan [l'ib'a´ zhy];
- yu – [y]: beak [kl'u´ f], people [l'u´ d'am], gateway [shl'u´ s], tulle [t'u´ l'], suit [kas't 'mind].
- Note: in words borrowed from other languages, the stressed vowel “E” does not always signal the softness of the previous consonant. This positional softening ceased to be a mandatory norm in Russian phonetics only in the 20th century. In such cases, when you do a phonetic analysis of the composition, such a vowel sound is transcribed as [e] without a preceding apostrophe of softness: hotel [ate´ l'], strap [br'ite´ l'ka], test [te´ st] , tennis [te´ n:is], cafe [cafe´], puree [p'ure´], amber [ambre´], delta [de´ l'ta], tender [te´ nder], masterpiece [shede´ vr], tablet [table´ t].
- Attention! After soft consonants in prestressed syllables the vowels “E” and “I” undergo qualitative reduction and are transformed into the sound [i] (except for [ts], [zh], [sh]). Examples of phonetic analysis of words with similar phonemes: - grain [z'i rno´], earth [z'i ml'a´], cheerful [v'i s'o´ly], ringing [z'v 'and n'i´t], forest [l'i sno´y], blizzard [m'i t'e´l'itsa], feather [p'i ro´], brought [pr' in'i sla´], knit [v'i za´t'], lie [l'i ga´t'], five grater [p'i t'o´rka]
Phonetic analysis: consonants of the Russian language
There is an absolute majority of consonants in the Russian language. When pronouncing a consonant sound, the air flow encounters obstacles. They are formed by organs of articulation: teeth, tongue, palate, vibrations of the vocal cords, lips. Due to this, noise, hissing, whistling or ringing appears in the voice.
How many consonants are there in Russian speech?
In the alphabet they are designated by 21 letters. However, when performing sound-letter analysis, you will find that in Russian phonetics consonant sounds more, namely 36.
Sound-letter analysis: what are the consonant sounds?
In our language there are consonants:
- hard - soft
and form the corresponding pairs:
- [b] - [b’]: b anan - b tree,
- [in] - [in’]: in height - in yun,
- [g] - [g’]: city - duke,
- [d] - [d’]: dacha - dolphin,
- [z] - [z’]: z von - z ether,
- [k] - [k’]: k onfeta - to enguru,
- [l] - [l’]: boat - l lux,
- [m] - [m’]: magic - dreams,
- [n] - [n’]: new - nectar,
- [p] - [p’]: p alma- p yosik,
- [r] - [r’]: daisy - row of poison,
- [s] - [s’]: with uvenir - with urpriz,
- [t] - [t’]: tuchka - t ulpan,
- [f] - [f’]: f lag - f February,
- [x] - [x’]: x orek - x seeker.
- Certain consonants do not have a hard-soft pair. Unpaired ones include:
- sounds [zh], [ts], [sh] - always hard (zhzn, tsikl, mouse);
- [ch’], [sch’] and [th’] are always soft (daughter, more often than not, yours).
- The sounds [zh], [ch’], [sh], [sh’] in our language are called hissing.
A consonant can be voiced - voiceless, as well as sonorous and noisy.
You can determine the voicedness-voicelessness or sonority of a consonant by the degree of noise-voice. These characteristics will vary depending on the method of formation and the participation of the organs of articulation.
- Sonorant (l, m, n, r, y) are the most sonorous phonemes, in them a maximum of voices and a few noises are heard: l ev, rai, n o l.
- If, when pronouncing a word during sound parsing, both a voice and noise are formed, it means that you have a voiced consonant (g, b, z, etc.): plant, b people, life.
- When pronouncing voiceless consonants (p, s, t and others) vocal cords they don’t strain, only noise is made: st opka, fishka, k ost yum, tsirk, sew up.
Note: In phonetics, consonant sound units also have a division according to the nature of formation: stop (b, p, d, t) - gap (zh, w, z, s) and method of articulation: labiolabial (b, p, m) , labiodental (f, v), anterior lingual (t, d, z, s, c, g, w, sch, h, n, l, r), midlingual (th), posterior lingual (k, g, x) . The names are given based on the organs of articulation that are involved in sound production.
Tip: If you're just starting to practice spelling words phonetically, try placing your hands on your ears and saying the phoneme. If you were able to hear a voice, then the sound being studied is a voiced consonant, but if noise is heard, then it is voiceless.
Hint: For associative communication, remember the phrases: “Oh, we didn’t forget our friend.” - this sentence contains absolutely the entire set of voiced consonants (excluding softness-hardness pairs). “Styopka, do you want to eat some soup? - Fi! - similarly, the indicated replicas contain a set of all voiceless consonants.
Positional changes of consonants in Russian
The consonant sound, just like the vowel, undergoes changes. The same letter phonetically can represent a different sound, depending on the position it occupies. In the flow of speech, the sound of one consonant is compared to the articulation of a consonant located next to it. This effect makes pronunciation easier and is called assimilation in phonetics.
Positional stun/voicing
In a certain position for consonants, the phonetic law of assimilation according to deafness and voicedness applies. The voiced paired consonant is replaced by a voiceless one:
- at the absolute end of a phonetic word: but [no´sh], snow [s’n’e´k], garden [agaro´t], club [klu´p];
- before voiceless consonants: forget-me-not a [n’izabu´t ka], obkh vatit [apkh vat’i´t’], Tuesday [ft o´rn’ik], tube a [corpse a].
- doing a sound-letter analysis online, you will notice that the voiceless paired consonant standing before the voiced one (except for [th'], [v] - [v'], [l] - [l'], [m] - [m'] , [n] - [n'], [p] - [p']) is also voiced, that is, replaced with its own a ringing couple: surrender [zda´ch’a], mowing [kaz’ba´], threshing [malad’ba´], request [pro´z’ba], guess [adgada´t’].
In Russian phonetics, a voiceless noisy consonant does not combine with a subsequent voiced noisy consonant, except for the sounds [v] - [v’]: whipped cream. In this case, the transcription of both the phoneme [z] and [s] is equally acceptable.
When parsing the sounds of words: total, today, today, etc., the letter “G” is replaced by the phoneme [v].
According to the rules of sound-letter analysis, in the endings “-ого”, “-го” of adjectives, participles and pronouns, the consonant “G” is transcribed as the sound [в]: red [kra´snava], blue [s'i´n'iva] , white [b'e´lava], sharp, full, former, that, that, whom. If, after assimilation, two consonants of the same type are formed, they merge. In the school curriculum on phonetics, this process is called consonant contraction: separate [ad:'il'i´t'] → the letters “T” and “D” are reduced into sounds [d'd'], besh smart [b'ish: u ´much]. When analyzing the composition of a number of words in sound-letter analysis, dissimilation is observed - the opposite process to assimilation. In this case it changes common feature for two adjacent consonants: the combination “GK” sounds like [xk] (instead of the standard [kk]): light [l’o′kh’k’ii], soft [m’a′kh’k’ii].
Soft consonants in Russian
In the phonetic parsing scheme, an apostrophe [’] is used to indicate the softness of consonants.
- Softening of paired hard consonants occurs before “b”;
- the softness of the consonant sound in a syllable in writing will help determine the vowel letter that follows it (e, ё, i, yu, i);
- [ш'], [ч'] and [й] are only soft by default;
- The sound [n] is always softened before soft consonants “Z”, “S”, “D”, “T”: claim [pr'iten'z 'iya], review [r'itseen'z 'iya], pension [pen 's' iya], ve[n'z'] el, licé[n'z'] iya, ka[n'd'] idat, ba[n'd'] it, i[n'd'] ivid , blo[n'd']in, stipe[n'd']iya, ba[n't']ik, vi[n't']ik, zo[n't']ik, ve[n' t'] il, a[n't'] ical, co[n't'] text, remo[n't'] edit;
- the letters “N”, “K”, “P” during phonetic analysis of the composition can be softened before soft sounds[ch'], [sch']: glass ik [staka'n'ch'ik], substitute ik [sm'e'n'sh'ik], donch ik [po'n'ch'ik], mason ik [kam'e'n'sch'ik], boulevard ina [bul'va'r'sch'ina], borscht [bo'r'sch'];
- often the sounds [з], [с], [р], [н] before a soft consonant undergo assimilation in terms of hardness-softness: wall [s't'e′nka], life [zhyz'n'], here [ z'd'es'];
- in order to correctly perform sound-letter analysis, take into account the exception words when the consonant [p] before soft teeth and labials, as well as before [ch’], [sch’] is pronounced firmly: artel, feed, cornet, samovar;
Note: the letter “b” after a consonant unpaired in hardness/softness in some word forms performs only a grammatical function and does not impose a phonetic load: study, night, mouse, rye, etc. In such words, during letter analysis, a [-] dash is placed in square brackets opposite the letter “b”.
Positional changes in paired voiced-voiceless consonants before hissing consonants and their transcription during sound-letter parsing
To determine the number of sounds in a word, you need to take them into account positional changes. Paired voiced-voiceless: [d-t] or [z-s] before sibilants (zh, sh, shch, h) are phonetically replaced by a sibilant consonant.
- Literal analysis and examples of words with hissing sounds: arrival [pr'ie'zhzh ii], ascend [vashsh e´st'iye], izzh elta [i´zh elta], take pity [zh a´l'its: A].
The phenomenon when two different letters pronounced as one, is called complete assimilation in all respects. When performing sound-letter analysis of a word, you must denote one of the repeated sounds in the transcription with the longitude symbol [:].
- Letter combinations with a hissing “szh” - “zzh” are pronounced like a double hard consonant [zh:], and “ssh” - “zsh” - like [sh:]: squeezed, sewed, without a splint, climbed in.
- The combinations “zzh”, “zhzh” inside the root, when parsed by letters and sounds, are written in transcription as a long consonant [zh:]: I ride, I squeal, later, reins, yeast, zhzhenka.
- The combinations “sch”, “zch” at the junction of a root and a suffix/prefix are pronounced as a long soft [sch’:]: account [sch’: o´t], scribe, customer.
- At the junction of the preposition with the following word in place of “sch”, “zch” is transcribed as [sch'ch']: without number [b'esh' ch' isla´], with something [sch'ch' e'mta] .
- During sound-letter analysis, the combinations “tch”, “dch” at the junction of morphemes are defined as double soft [ch':]: pilot [l'o´ch': ik], good fellow [little-ch': ik], report [ach': o´t].
Cheat sheet for comparing consonant sounds by place of formation
- сч → [ш':] : happiness [ш': а´с'т'е], sandstone [п'ish': а´н'ik], peddler [vari´sch': ik], paving stones, calculations, exhaust, clear;
- zch → [sch’:]: carver [r’e’sch’: ik], loader [gru’sch’: ik], storyteller [raska’sch’: ik];
- zhch → [sch’:]: defector [p’ir’ibe´ sch’: ik], man [musch’: i´na];
- shch → [sch’:]: freckled [in’isnu’sch’: ity];
- stch → [sch’:]: tougher [zho’sch’: e], biting, rigger;
- zdch → [sch’:]: roundabout [abye’sch’: ik], furrowed [baro’sch’: ity];
- ssch → [sch’:]: split [rasch’: ip’i′t’], became generous [rasch’: e’dr’ils’a];
- thsch → [ch'sch']: to split off [ach'sch' ip'i′t'], to snap off [ach'sch' o´lk'ivat'], in vain [ch'sch' etna], carefully [ch' sch' at'el'na];
- tch → [ch’:]: report [ach’: o′t], fatherland [ach’: i′zna], ciliated [r’is’n’i′ch’: i′ty];
- dch → [ch’:]: emphasize [pach’: o’rk’ivat’], stepdaughter [pach’: ir’itsa];
- szh → [zh:]: compress [zh: a´t’];
- zzh → [zh:]: get rid of [izh: y´t’], kindle [ro´zh: yk], leave [uyizh: a´t’];
- ssh → [sh:]: brought [pr’in’o′sh: y], embroidered [rash: y’ty];
- zsh → [sh:]: lower [n’ish: s′y]
- th → [pcs], in word forms with “what” and its derivatives, doing a sound-letter analysis, we write [pcs]: so that [pcs] , for nothing [n'e′ zasht a], something [ sht o n'ibut'], something;
- th → [h't] in other cases of letter parsing: dreamer [m'ich't a´t'il'], mail [po´ch't a], preference [pr'itpach't 'e´n' ie] etc;
- chn → [shn] in exception words: of course [kan'e´shn a′], boring [sku´shn a′], bakery, laundry, scrambled eggs, trifling, birdhouse, bachelorette party, mustard plaster, rag, as well as in female patronymics ending in “-ichna”: Ilyinichna, Nikitichna, Kuzminichna, etc.;
- chn → [ch'n] - letter analysis for all other options: fabulous [ska´zach'n y], dacha [da´ch'n y], strawberry [z'im'l'in'i´ch'n y], wake up, cloudy, sunny, etc.;
- !zhd → in place of the letter combination “zhd”, double pronunciation and transcription [sch’] or [sht’] is allowed in the word rain and in the word forms derived from it: rainy, rainy.
Unpronounceable consonants in Russian words
During the pronunciation of an entire phonetic word with a chain of many different consonant letters, one or another sound may be lost. As a result, in the spelling of words there are letters devoid of sound meaning, the so-called unpronounceable consonants. To correctly perform phonetic analysis online, the unpronounceable consonant is not displayed in the transcription. The number of sounds in such phonetic words will be less than letters.
In Russian phonetics, unpronounceable consonants include:
- "T" - in combinations:
- stn → [sn]: local [m’e´sn y], reed [tras’n ’i´k]. By analogy, one can perform a phonetic analysis of the words staircase, honest, famous, joyful, sad, participant, messenger, rainy, furious and others;
- stl → [sl]: happy [sh':asl 'i´vyy"], happy, conscientious, boastful (exception words: bony and postlat, in them the letter “T” is pronounced);
- ntsk → [nsk]: gigantic [g'iga´nsk 'ii], agency, presidential;
- sts → [s:]: sixs from [shes: o´t], to eat up [take´s: a], to swear I [kl’a´s: a];
- sts → [s:]: tourist [tur'i´s: k'iy], maximalist cue [max'imal'i´s: k'iy], racist cue [ras'i´s: k'iy] , bestseller, propaganda, expressionist, Hindu, careerist;
- ntg → [ng]: x-ray en [r’eng ’e´n];
- “–tsya”, “–tsya” → [ts:] in verb endings: smile [smile´ts: a], wash [my´ts: a], looks, will do, bow, shave, fit;
- ts → [ts] for adjectives in combinations at the junction of a root and a suffix: childish [d’e´ts k’ii], bratskiy [bratskyi];
- ts → [ts:] / [tss]: athlete [sparts: m’e´n], send [atss yla´t’];
- tts → [ts:] at the junction of morphemes during phonetic analysis online is written as a long “ts”: bratz a [bra´ts: a], father epit [ats: yp'i´t'], to father u [k atz: y´];
- “D” - when parsing by sounds in the following letter combinations:
- zdn → [zn]: late [z'n'y], star [z'v'ozn'y], holiday [pra'z'n'ik], free [b'izvazm' e′know];
- ndsh → [nsh]: mundsh tuk [munsh tu´k], landsh aft [lansh a´ft];
- NDsk → [NSK]: Dutch [Galansk ’ii], Thai [Thailansk ’ii], Norman [Narmansk ’ii];
- zdts → [ss]: under the bridles [fall uss s´];
- ndc → [nts]: Dutch [galans];
- rdc → [rts]: heart [s’e´rts e], serdts evin [s’irts yv’i´na];
- rdch → [rch"]: heart ishko [s’erch ’i´shka];
- dts → [ts:] at the junction of morphemes, less often in roots, are pronounced and when parsed soundly, the word is written as double [ts]: pick up [pats: yp'i´t'], twenty [dva´ts: yt'] ;
- ds → [ts]: factory [zavac ko´y], rods tvo [rac tvo´], means [sr’e´ts tva], Kislovods k [k’islavo´ts k];
- “L” - in combinations:
- sun → [nz]: sun [so´nts e], solar state;
- “B” - in combinations:
- vstv → [stv] literal parsing of words: hello [hello, go away], feelings about [ch's'tva], sensuality [ch'u'tv 'inas't'], pampering about [pampering o´], virgin [d'e´stv 'in:y].
Note: In some words of the Russian language, when there is a cluster of consonant sounds “stk”, “ntk”, “zdk”, “ndk” the loss of the phoneme [t] is not allowed: trip [payestka], daughter-in-law, typist, summons, laboratory assistant, student , patient, bulky, Irish, Scottish.
- When parsing letters, two identical letters immediately after the stressed vowel are transcribed as a single sound and a longitude symbol [:]: class, bath, mass, group, program.
- Doubled consonants in pre-stressed syllables are indicated in transcription and pronounced as one sound: tunnel [tane´l’], terrace, apparatus.
If you find it difficult to perform phonetic analysis of a word online according to the indicated rules, or you have an ambiguous analysis of the word being studied, use the help of a reference dictionary. Literary norms of orthoepy are regulated by the publication: “Russian literary pronunciation and stress. Dictionary - reference book." M. 1959
References:
- Litnevskaya E.I. Russian language: short theoretical course for schoolchildren. – MSU, M.: 2000
- Panov M.V. Russian phonetics. – Enlightenment, M.: 1967
- Beshenkova E.V., Ivanova O.E. Rules of Russian spelling with comments.
- Tutorial. – “Institute for Advanced Training of Education Workers”, Tambov: 2012
- Rosenthal D.E., Dzhandzhakova E.V., Kabanova N.P. Handbook of spelling, pronunciation, literary editing. Russian literary pronunciation. – M.: CheRo, 1999
Now you know how to parse a word into sounds, make a sound-letter analysis of each syllable and determine their number. The described rules explain the laws of phonetics in the format school curriculum. They will help you phonetically characterize any letter.
