1. The shape of English Words-Segmentals and Supra-Segmentals
Claudia Petrescu

2. The Shape of English Words
English allows a wide variety of syllable types:
See [siy] CV –open syllable
Sit [sit] CVC - closed syllable
Spit [spit] CCVC - begins with a consonant cluster = initial cluster [sp]
Spits [spits] CCVCC - ends with a consonant cluster = final cluster
Sprint [sprint] CCCVCC

3. Examples of syllable types in other languages (1)
Japanese – CV-CV-CV-CV
e.g. ha = tooth - >CV;
naka = centre -> CV-CV
wakarimasu = (I) understand -> CV-CV-CV-CV-CV
Problem: difficulties pronouncing closed syllables
- add a vowel to the end of a closed syllable
e.g. si (CV) to(CV) instead of sit

4. Examples of syllable types in other languages (2)
2) Italian – closed syllables do not occur at the end of a word
Problem: add a vowel to words which end with closed syllables
e.g. big – ‘bigə’

5. Examples of syllable types in other languages (2)
3) Cantonese and Vietnamese – only /p/, /t/, /k/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ are permitted as the final sound
Problem: bad – might be pronounced as bat
might insert a vowel (ə) - badə

6. Consonant Clusters Are the following real English words? Blick – bnick
in English consonant clusters are limited to certain combinations in initial and final positions (/n/ can only be preceded by /s/ in initial position; Russian - /kn/; French - /pn/)
Differences between English and other languages lead to ss.’ inability to produce many of the clusters and might cause incomprehensibility

7. Learner Difficulties with Consonant Clusters (1)
Learners try to simplify the clusters
Inserting vowels between consonants
Spanish – insert /e/ to the initial /s/ because /s/ does not occur in initial position; ‘estreet’, ‘espeak’
Japanese – insert a vowel between each consonant of the cluster (no consonant clusters); street – ‘sutorito’
Arabic – no initial three-consonant clusters; street – ‘sitreet’ or ‘istreet’

8. Learner Difficulties with Consonant Clusters (2)
2) Deleting vowels between consonants
Cantonese and Vietnamese – no consonant clusters – tend to delete one of the consonants
e.g. CCVC green - would be pronounced as CVC geen
CVCC past – would be pronounced as CVC pat or even pa

9. Word and Sentence Stress
Stress = involves making vowels longer and louder
Schwa /ə/ (mid central vowel)
Teaching schwa is crucial
The most frequently occurring vowel sound in English
Generally,unstressed syllables are pronounced as schwa
e.g. Canada – Canadian
photograph - photography
drama – dramatic
democrat - democracy

10. Major and Minor Stress List A List B List C accident addition athlete
calendar diploma contact
Elephant completion boycott
instrument proportion substitute
oxygen opinion acrobat
vegetable conclusion celebrate
telephone

11. Placement of Word Stress (1)
Two-syllable words
More likely on the 1st syllable if a noun (>90%), and 2nd if a verb (>60%)
e.g. a. The unhappy customer may insult the manager.
b. That’s an insult.

12. Placement of Word Stress (2)
Three-syllable words
Usually on the 1st or 2nd syllable
List A List B List C
instrument commercial artichoke
calendar vanilla hurricane
curious develop appetite
sentiment astonish crocodile

13. Placement of Word Stress (3)
Compounds
The 1st. word receives major stress and the 2nd minor stress
Airplane
Bedtime
Eyelid
Haircut
Hair-style
Gold mine

14. Placement of Word Stress (4)
Adjective-noun phrases
That’s a black board. (a board that is black)
He works in a green house. (a house that is green)
I saw a black bird. (a bird that is black)
Adjective-noun compounds
That’s a blackboard. (a board for writing on)
He works in a greenhouse. (a place to grow plants)
I saw a blackbird. (a kind of bird)