English Phonetics: Plosion, Intonation, and Articulation

1. Plosion Phenomena

Nasal Plosion

At the junction of plosive consonants [t, d, p, b, k, g] with nasal sonorants [m, n], the articulation of the sonorant starts before the plosive is finished. Consequently, air passes through the nasal cavity instead of the mouth, creating nasal plosion.

Examples: shouldn't, wouldn't, meet my friend.

Lateral Plosion

When a plosive consonant meets a lateral sonorant, the plosion occurs during the sonorant's pronunciation as air escapes along the sides of the lowered tongue. This is lateral plosion.

Examples: place, blow, glance, kettle, I'd like.

Fricative Plosion

When a plosive precedes a fricative, the release occurs during the fricative's articulation due to close coarticulation. This is known as fricative plosion.

Examples: let's, what's, kinds, upside, stops, walks.

Loss of Plosion

When two plosives with the same place of articulation meet, the first loses its plosion. If they have different places of articulation, the first release is very weak. This occurs in any cluster of two plosives.

Examples: Midday, big girl, deep purple, back gate, bad times, feedback, accept, attempt.

2. Intonation of Utterances

An utterance is the minimal independent unit of communication, realized as one or more intonation groups. These are divided into final and non-final.

• Non-final groups: Formed by initial clauses, adverbial/subject groups, parenthetical words, and direct address.
• Low Rise: Indicates an incomplete utterance requiring continuation.

3. Intonation of Parentheses

Parenthetical elements (words, phrases, or clauses) are partially related to the main subject. They include reporting phrases, direct address, apposition, and insertions.

• Initial: Often use a low rising nuclear tone to gain time or show attitude.
• Final: Summarize or add detail; usually unstressed.
• Medial: Convey side-thoughts, often on a lower pitch.

4. Reporting Phrases

Reporting phrases (e.g., "he asked") may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of quoted speech. Initial phrases often form a separate group with a Mid Level or Low Rise tone. Final phrases typically form the tail of the tune.

5. Intonation of Direct Address

Direct address attracts the listener's attention. Initial address uses various tones based on attitude (e.g., Falling for serious, Falling-Rising for friendly). Final or medial address is usually unstressed or partially stressed, serving as an expression of politeness or affection.

6. Conversational Formulas

These include greetings, farewells, apologies, and gratitude. They are categorized by politeness levels:

• Friendly: Falling-Rising tone.
• Casual: Low-Rising tone.
• Normal: Falling tone.

7. Intonation of Statements

• Straightforward: Use a Falling tone; sound final and definite.
• Implicatory: Use a Falling-Rising tone; imply contradiction, correction, or hesitation.
• Friendly: Use a Low Rising tone; sound warm and encouraging.

8. Intonation of Questions

• General: Often use a Rising tone for neutral inquiries or a Falling tone for suggestions.
• Special: Typically use a Falling tone; can be emphatic or friendly (Rising tone).

9. Alternative and Tag Questions

• Alternative: Form a combined tune (e.g., Rise + Fall).
• Tag Questions: Use a Fall + Rise for uncertainty or a Fall + Fall for certainty.

10. Intonation of Imperatives

Commands and instructions typically use a Falling tone. Requests and warnings often use a Low Rising or Falling-Rising tone to sound polite and sincere.

11. Articulatory Classification of Consonants

Consonants are classified by:

1. Vocal cord vibration and exhalation force.
2. Active organ and place of obstruction (e.g., dental, alveolar, velar).
3. Type of obstruction (e.g., stops, fricatives, affricates).
4. Position of the soft palate (oral vs. nasal).

12. English Vowels

Vowels are sounds produced with free airflow through the pharyngeal and oral cavities. Classification principles:

• Stability: Monophthongs, Diphthongs, Diphthongoids.
• Tongue Position: Horizontal (front, central, back) and vertical (high, mid, low).
• Lip Position: Rounded vs. Unrounded.
• Length: Long vs. Short.
• Tension: Tense vs. Lax.