Introduction
Language originates with the ear, and transcribing spoken English refers to the graphic representation of utterances on paper, utilizing the phonetic alphabet recommended by the International Phonetic Association.
OBJECTIVES
By the unit's end, you should be able to transcribe simple words and phrases in English.
MAIN CONTENT
Transcribing Spoken English
When transcribing spoken English, several considerations must be kept in mind. The foremost is focusing on sounds, disregarding the word's spelling. English spelling doesn't faithfully represent sounds, making it misleading. Ignoring spelling is advisable.
SPOKEN ENGLISH
It's crucial to note that phonetic symbols serve as visual aids, helping identify pronunciation differences or similarities. For instance, 'son' and 'sun' share the same phonetic symbols, indicating identical pronunciation. Phonetic transcription allows you to use your eyes to complement your ears.
These aspects highlight that while speaking a language is a performance skill, understanding how the language works, such as phonetic transcription, holds significant value. Your knowledge of the sound of English will be invaluable in this course.
From our preceding discussion, we've established that the letters of the English alphabet are an inadequate guide to pronunciation and transcription. In contrast, phonetic symbols are a consistently reliable guide, with each symbol representing one sound.
Now, reiterating some points, here are additional compelling reasons to be familiar with English phonetic symbols:
- Effective Dictionary Use: Dictionaries for English language learners include words in phonetic symbols immediately following the word itself. This facilitates efficient dictionary usage.
- Independence in Learning: Knowing these symbols empowers you to independently discover a word's pronunciation without relying on a tutor. Additionally, you can accurately note the pronunciation of English words you hear, avoiding perpetuating pronunciation errors from your native language.
- Visual Aid: Phonetic symbols serve as a visual aid, allowing you to discern pronunciation differences or similarities. For instance, 'seen' and 'scene' share identical phonemic symbols, indicating similar pronunciation.
- Learning Resources: Phonetic symbols, presented in a chart, become essential learning resources. Similar to having a vocabulary dictionary and a grammar book, having reference materials for pronunciation—such as phonemic symbols and key words—proves invaluable for learning spoken English.
- Language Knowledge Value: While speaking a language is a performance skill, understanding how the language works, especially through knowledge of phonetic symbols, holds significant value. Proficiency in spoken English is greatly influenced by a robust understanding of the phonetic symbols of the English language.
The Techniques of Phonetic Transcription /fəunetik trænskrip∫n/
When transcribing a word or utterance, we provide a direct specification of its pronunciation in written format. Phonetic transcription becomes necessary because ordinary spelling often fails to accurately represent pronunciation, especially in languages like English, known for its irregularities in continuous speech not reflected in orthography.
For you, a passive familiarity with phonetic transcription allows precise pronunciation extraction from a dictionary, safeguarding against potential misinformation from inadequately trained ears or the misleading effects of ordinary spelling.
Dictionaries, through phonetic transcriptions, reveal accurate word pronunciations. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is commonly used for these transcriptions, assigning unique symbols to each English sound. For example, 'no' is transcribed as /nəʊ/ and 'do' as /du:/. Even words with the same letter, like 'o,' may have different phonetic transcriptions due to distinct pronunciations.
In dictionaries, it appears as follows:
Source: [Longman Active Study Dictionary of English] cited in http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-trans.htm
Not all dictionaries provide word pronunciations. For serious learners of Spoken English, obtaining a dictionary focusing on English pronunciation is crucial.
Understanding that the 49 phonemes in British English are based on Received Pronunciation, it's essential to note that achieving a perfect English accent isn't necessary for accurate transcription. Starting with learning consonant symbols is recommended, given their simplicity, with 17 out of the 24 consonants reflecting the same form as an alphabet letter.
Study the following examples carefully, and you'll notice that almost all consonant sounds share the same form as a letter of the alphabet:
```
“
very
fast
rough
safer
divide
giving
/verɪ/
/fa:st/
/rΛf/
/seɪfə/
/divaɪd/
/gɪvɪŋ/
```
Ambiguous Spellings and Implications for Transcription:
Certain English spellings are entirely ambiguous. For instance, the word "height" is transcribed as /haɪt/. The English language has numerous homographs (same spelling, different pronunciation and meaning), including - bass, bow, buffet, does, gill, lead, live, minute, putting, read, resume, tear, tinged, wind, wound. Transcribing them highlights the differences in pronunciation.
Remember that your pronunciation may differ from others due to regional dialects or age.
Now, pronounce each word in the groups and match the transcriptions on the right with the corresponding English words on the left:
1. pat, pick, pit, spite
2. pet, pant, part, pat
3. put, pat, pot, port
4. part, pat, pit, port
5. pork, pot, port, pet
6. punt, pot, put, pat
7. putt, part, pot, pat
8. peat, peak, spite, pit
9. fit, feat, flight, fought
10. feat, fit, fish, fat
```
/ pIt /
/ pæt /
/ pɑːt /
/pɔːt /
/ pɔːt /
/ pɒt /
/ pʌt /
/ piːt /
/ fɪt /
/ fiːt /
```
Pertinent Questions and Answers on Transcription:
Is it important for English learners to know all the phonetic symbols?
Yes, it is crucial. Just as every profession has specialized knowledge, knowing phonetic symbols is essential for students learning English. This knowledge sets you apart and might be required for transcription in the future.
Is it difficult to learn phonetic symbols?
No. Out of the 49 symbols, 19 share the same sound and shape as alphabet letters, making it relatively easy. With only 30 symbols to learn, it's a small load compared to the complexity of grammar or the vast vocabulary in dictionaries. The visual nature of symbols enhances memorization.
What is the best way to learn phonetic symbols?
Similar to learning grammar, using textbooks that focus on key areas is effective. Having a good English Pronouncing dictionary as a reference while learning symbols is recommended. Learning by being taught is a powerful approach.
Which phonetic symbols are the easiest to learn?
Consonants are the easiest, with 17 out of 24 having the same form as alphabet letters. Starting with a significant number of consonant symbols and a few easy vowel symbols like /e/ and /ɪ/ is advisable. Special attention is needed for the symbol /j/ as students often make mistakes with it, representing the initial sound of 'yellow,' not 'judge.'
Don't I need to have a perfect English accent to use phonetic symbols?
No, you don't. The 49 phonemes in British English are based on Received Pronunciation, an accent not commonly heard today. Most native speakers don't have this accent but still use phonetic symbols. When arranged in a chart, each symbol allows for variations in actual sound within certain limits, influenced by other sounds and individual speaking styles.
There isn't just one perfect way to pronounce each sound; there's an acceptable range. The focus is on making distinct sounds, like 'ship,' 'sheep,' 'sip,' and 'seep,' sounding different from each other rather than precisely like Received Pronunciation. Learning phonemic symbols helps understand the importance of length and voicing, such as recognizing that (:) indicates a long sound.
While the study of grammar and vocabulary is endless, phonetic symbols are limited, visual, and tangible. They may seem challenging initially, but it's akin to learning to swim or ride a bicycle—once mastered, it becomes easy and unforgettable.
CONCLUSION
There is no consistent relationship between the spelling and pronunciation of English. Transcription serves to introduce a straightforward method for enhancing pronunciation skills. Understanding categories like homographs (same spelling, different pronunciation) and homophones (same pronunciation, different spelling) is crucial for improving transcription skills.
SUMMARY
Transcribing English words and sentences proves to be an engaging exercise. It teaches you to focus on the sounds of English, disregarding the distraction of word spelling. In this unit, you explored the meaning of transcription, learned its techniques, and delved into the implications of ambiguous expressions for phonetic transcription.
REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS
Anitmoon.com.
http://www.antimoon.com/terms/phonemic_transcription.htm
Gimson, A. C. (1997). English Pronouncing Dictionary.
Oxford University Press.
Kreidler, C. W. (1989). The Pronunciation of English. Oxford:
Blackwell.
Ladefoged, P. (1993). A Course in Phonetics. 3rd. Ed., New York:
Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
http://www.ex.ac.uk/-bosthause/Lecture/hockett.htm
http://www.celt.stir.ac.uk/staff
www.bbcenglish.co.uk
Leave a comment behind