1. Yun-Pi Yuan1 Tongue Twisters

2. Yun-Pi Yuan2 OUTLINE Why are tongue twisters difficult?  Practice and explain. Practice and explain Reasons for difficulties  Conflicting syllable patterns Conflicting syllable patterns  Regular stress patterns Regular stress patterns  Phonetic compatibility Phonetic compatibility Conclusion

3. Yun-Pi Yuan3 Samples Say these tongue twisters. Why are they difficult?  She sells sea shells.  Six thick thistle sticks  Rubber baby buggy bumpers

4. Yun-Pi Yuan4 Conflicting Syllable Patterns (1) Ex. 1: She sells sea shells Final Vowel:  ABAB (ee, ells, ee, ells) Initial Consonant:  ABBA (sh, s, s, sh)

5. Yun-Pi Yuan5 Conflicting Syllable Patterns (2) Ex. 2: Six thick thistle sticks Finals:  ABCA (iks, ik, is(!), iks) Initial Consonant:  ABBA (s, th, th, s)

6. Yun-Pi Yuan6 Conflicting Syllable Patterns (3) Ex. 3: Rubber baby buggy bumpers Initial consonant:  ABBB (r, b, b, b) First vowel:  ABAA (u, a, u, u) Middle consonant:  AABA (b, b, g, mp) Final vowel group:  ABBA (er, y,y, ers)

7. Yun-Pi Yuan7 Regular Stress Patterns Four heavily stressed syllables in a row. Four identical trochees “These drumming stress patterns drive the process along and reinforce any regularities that exist around them. Any irregularity, by the same token, are highly disruptive.”

8. Yun-Pi Yuan8 Phonetic Compatability Similarity of sounds: Examples:  The sea ceaseth and it sufficeth us.  The Leith police beseecheth us.  Miss Smith’s fish sauce shop seldom sells shellfish.

9. Yun-Pi Yuan9 Rhythm and Regularity Conflicting Syllable Patterns (phonemes) Regular Stress Patterns Phonetic Compatability