Rhythm Chapter four

What is rhythm? The rhythm of speech is based on the timing of sound segments (syllables). The uneven timing of stressed and unstressed syllables gives English speech its rhythm. A person who speaks English with the rhythm of another language is said to speak with an accent.

Take more time out. The time is out. -Content words: (nouns-verbs, adjectives, adverbs) These word forms contain the core of information in a message and are spoken clearly and fully. - Function words: (articles, helping verbs, pronouns) are simplified and spoken quickly.

Listen: Call right back. I will call you right back. Will you call me right back? Page: 4.3

Reduced forms and rhythm: Reduced forms are words or groups of words that are spoken simply and quickly. Vowels become unstressed and consonants combine or become silent. - who is he? -What do you mean?

Simplifying vowels: Function words are spoken with reduced vowels: -I can wait. Can anyone do that? /k ә n/ In certain circumstances function words are spoken clearly: 1- when the function word is stressed for emphasis. 2- When the function word ends an utterance. Page: 4.4

Articles: The: say /ðә/ before a consonant: The past the time say/ði/ before a vowel: The idea the office Page: 4.6

a/an a before consonants / ә / A spy a border an before vowels / ә n/ An eye an order Page: 4.7

Other function words: are, or, for, your /әr/ yes or no? / әr/ these are fine /fәr/ two for one. /jәr/ what’s your name? Page 4.7/ 4.8

Was = /wәz/ What was that? Was that interesting? Page: 4.8 Will = /wәl/ It will rain. What will happen?

Could, should, would It could rain. /kәd/ We should ask. /∫әd/ I would not ask. Page: 4.9

That: As an adverb: it is pronounced fully: That one. I doubt that. As a function word: it is reduced: /ðәt/ I know that it’s right. I heard that you called. Tell me that it’s okay. Page: 4.10

To, you: Easy to do. /tә/ you have to try it. /jә/ page: 4.10

do, does, did -As main verbs: pronounced clearly: They do accounting. She does computer graphics. I did my paperwork. -as helping verbs: reduced: What do you need? /dә/ What does it mean? /dәz/ When did it start? /d Ι d/ Page: 4.11

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Simplifying Consonants: Some consonants are omitted or not spoken clearly. And: /әnd/ nice and easy you and I / әn/ before a consonant the d is not pronounced: Rock’n roll now and then

Of = /әv/ the f is often not clearly pronounced when it is before a consonants. Lots of luck /ә/ it’s kind of nice /ә/ Have, has, had: -as main verbs, they are pronounced clearly. -As helping verbs, h is omitted: /әv/ what have you been up to? /әz/ what has happened? /әd/ Teresa had arrived.

He, him, his, her, hers: -These pronouns are often spoken with the h silent: /әr/ Give her this copy. / ɪm/ tell him I’ll call him later. Them: /ðәm/ Get th’m /әm/ Get ‘em

Reduced Word Groups: combining consonants -final t followed by y is often pronounced/ t∫/ Won’t you? Why can’t you? -final d followed by y is often pronounced / d ʒ/ Did you? Would you go?

Linking with the tapped t Between vowels final t and d are usually tapped: Not at all what about it? Common two-word reductions: (pages ) Ought to /ɑtə/ Got to /gɑtə/ What do /wʌtə/ Want to /wʌnə Going to /gʌnə/

Omission of h and t: The h in he, his, her and hers is often omitted when these pronouns connect with other words, particularly function words. (pages ) Is he your friend? /ɪzi/ Is her name Diana? /ɪzər/

Contracted forms: I am= I’m You are= you’re We are= we’re They are = they’re (pages )

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