Presentation Presentation on on

Weak Syllables Weak Syllables

andand

Strong SyllablesStrong Syllables

Presented to:Presented to:

Mr.Sohail Falak sherMr.Sohail Falak sher

Presented by: Presented by:

Muhammad AsifMuhammad Asif

SyllableSyllable

• A syllable is a A syllable is a rhythmic rhythmic unit of unit of speech. Syllables exist to make the speech. Syllables exist to make the speech stream easier for the human speech stream easier for the human mind to process. A syllable comprises mind to process. A syllable comprises one or more segments; segments are one or more segments; segments are the the building blocksbuilding blocks for syllables. for syllables.

SyllableSyllable

• A syllable is a unit of organization A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of for a sequence of speechspeech sounds. For sounds. For example, the word example, the word waterwater is is composed of two syllables: composed of two syllables: wawa and and terter. A syllable is typically made up of . A syllable is typically made up of a a syllable nucleussyllable nucleus (most often a (most often a vowelvowel) with optional initial and final ) with optional initial and final margins margins

Syllable StructureSyllable Structure

• The general structure of a syllable The general structure of a syllable consists of the following segments:consists of the following segments:

• OnsetOnset (obligatory in some languages, (obligatory in some languages, optional or even restricted in others) optional or even restricted in others)

• RimeRime – NucleusNucleus (obligatory in all languages) (obligatory in all languages)

• Coda (optional in some languages, Coda (optional in some languages, highly restricted or prohibited in highly restricted or prohibited in others) others)

Types of Words Types of Words according to according to

syllablessyllables

• A word that consists of a single syllable (like A word that consists of a single syllable (like English English batbat) is called a ) is called a monosyllable monosyllable (such a word (such a word is monosyllabic), while a word consisting of two is monosyllabic), while a word consisting of two syllables (like syllables (like fatherfather) is called a ) is called a disyllable disyllable (such a (such a word is disyllabic). A word consisting of three word is disyllabic). A word consisting of three syllables (such as syllables (such as indigentindigent) is called a ) is called a trisyllable trisyllable (the adjective form is trisyllabic). A word (the adjective form is trisyllabic). A word consisting of more than three syllables (such as consisting of more than three syllables (such as intelligenceintelligence) is called a ) is called a polysyllablepolysyllable (and could be (and could be described as polysyllabic), although this term is described as polysyllabic), although this term is often used to describe words of two syllables or often used to describe words of two syllables or more.more.

Affect of SyllableAffect of Syllable

• The domain of suprasegmental The domain of suprasegmental features is the syllable and not a features is the syllable and not a specific sound, that is to say, they specific sound, that is to say, they affect all the segments of a syllable:affect all the segments of a syllable:

• Stress Stress

• Tone Tone

Weak and Strong Weak and Strong SyllablesSyllables

• one of the most noticeable features one of the most noticeable features of English is that many syllables are of English is that many syllables are weak; this is true of many other weak; this is true of many other languages, but it is necessary to languages, but it is necessary to study how these weak syllables are study how these weak syllables are pronounced and where they occur in pronounced and where they occur in English English

Description Description of weak and strong of weak and strong

syllablessyllables

• We could describe them partly in We could describe them partly in terms of stress (by saying, for terms of stress (by saying, for example, that strong syllables are example, that strong syllables are stressed and weak syllables stressed and weak syllables unstressed.unstressed.

Weak Syllables Will Weak Syllables Will have…..have…..

•four types of center:four types of center:• i) the vowel (" shwa") i) the vowel (" shwa")

• ii) a close front unrounded vowel in ii) a close front unrounded vowel in the general area of i: and Ithe general area of i: and I

• iii) a close back rounded vowel in the iii) a close back rounded vowel in the general area of u: and general area of u: and ʊʊ

• iv) a syllabic consonant iv) a syllabic consonant

The vowel ( " shwa" ) The vowel ( " shwa" ) əə

• i)Spelt with " a '; strong pronuciation would be i)Spelt with " a '; strong pronuciation would be ææ • attend /attend / ətend ətend / character /k/ character /kæærrəktəəktə//• barracks / bbarracks / bæærəks æærəks / / • ii) Spelt with " ar" ;strong pronuciation would have ɑ: ii) Spelt with " ar" ;strong pronuciation would have ɑ: • particular / pparticular / pəətIkjtIkjəəlləə/ molar /m/ molar /məʊlə(rəʊlə(r)/)/• monarchy/mmonarchy/mɒɒnki/nki/• iii) Adjectival endings spelt " ate" ; strong pronunciation would be eiii) Adjectival endings spelt " ate" ; strong pronunciation would be e I I • intimate / IntImintimate / IntImət ət / accurate// accurate/æækjkjərət ərət //• desolate/desdesolate/desələtələt/ / • There are exceptions to this for example " private is usually /praIvIt /There are exceptions to this for example " private is usually /praIvIt /• iv) Spelt with " o " ; strong pronuciation would have iv) Spelt with " o " ; strong pronuciation would have ɒɒ • tomorrow /ttomorrow /təmɒrəʊəmɒrəʊ / potato / p / potato / pəteItəʊ əteItəʊ //• carrot / kcarrot / kæærrətət / /• v) Spelt with " or " ; strong pronunciation would have ɔ: v) Spelt with " or " ; strong pronunciation would have ɔ: • forget / f forget / f əgetəget / ambassador / / ambassador / ææmbmbææssəəddəə / /• opportunity /opportunity /ɒɒppətju:nItI /ətju:nItI /

Other examplesOther examples• vi) Spelt with “ e “ ; strong pronunciation would have evi) Spelt with “ e “ ; strong pronunciation would have e• settlement /setlmsettlement /setlməntənt/ violet /va/ violet /vaIIllət ət // postman /ppostman /pəʊstmən əʊstmən //• vii) Spelt with “ er “; strong pronunciation would have vii) Spelt with “ er “; strong pronunciation would have

ɜ: ɜ: • perhaps / pperhaps / pəhæpəhæp / stronger /str / stronger /strɒɒŋgŋgə ə //• superman /su:psuperman /su:pəəmmæn æn //• Viii)Spelt with “ oug” ( there are other pronunciation of Viii)Spelt with “ oug” ( there are other pronunciation of

the letter sequence the letter sequence • “ “ ough” ) ough” ) • Borough / bʌrBorough / bʌrəə/ thorough / θ ʌ r/ thorough / θ ʌ rəə / /• ix)Spelt with “ u “ ; strong form would have ʌ ix)Spelt with “ u “ ; strong form would have ʌ • Autumn / ɔ: tAutumn / ɔ: təməm / support / s / support / səpəpɔ:ɔ:tt / /

halibuthalibut• / h/ hæællIIbbətət/ / • x)Spelt with “ ous” x)Spelt with “ ous” • Gracious /greIGracious /greIəs əs / callous / k/ callous / kæælləsəs//

Close front Close front and and Close back vowels Close back vowels • Two other vowels are commonly found Two other vowels are commonly found

in weak syllables, one close front ( in in weak syllables, one close front ( in the general area of i: and i) and the the general area of i: and i) and the other close back rounded ( in the other close back rounded ( in the general region of u: and ʊ ) . In general region of u: and ʊ ) . In strong syllables it is easy to distinguish strong syllables it is easy to distinguish i: from ,u: from ʊ , but in weak i: from ,u: from ʊ , but in weak syllables the difference is not so clear .syllables the difference is not so clear .

ExamplesExamples

• Easy busyEasy busy

• i) i:zi: bi) i:zi: bIIzi:zi:• ii) i:zii) i:zII b bIIzzII

More ExamplesMore Examples• i) In word-final position in words spelt with final “ y” or “ ey” i) In word-final position in words spelt with final “ y” or “ ey”

( after one or more consonant letter e.g. “ happy / hæpi / ( after one or more consonant letter e.g. “ happy / hæpi / valley /væli / valley /væli /

• and in morpheme final position when such words have and in morpheme final position when such words have suffixes beginning with vowelss,e.g. “ happier / hæpiə / suffixes beginning with vowelss,e.g. “ happier / hæpiə / easiest /i:ziəst /easiest /i:ziəst /

• “ “ hurrying” / hhurrying” / hʌʌriIriIŋŋ / /• ii) In prefix such as those spelt “ re” , “ pre” , “ de” if is ii) In prefix such as those spelt “ re” , “ pre” , “ de” if is

precedes a vowel and is unstressed,for example in react / precedes a vowel and is unstressed,for example in react / riækt / preocupied /priɒkjəpaId/ riækt / preocupied /priɒkjəpaId/

• deactivate /diæktIveIt /deactivate /diæktIveIt /• iii) In suffixes spelt “ iate”, “ious” when they have two iii) In suffixes spelt “ iate”, “ious” when they have two

syllables, for example syllables, for example • in “ appreciate”, “hilarious” in “ appreciate”, “hilarious” • iv) In the following words when unstressed: “ he”, “ she” , “ iv) In the following words when unstressed: “ he”, “ she” , “

we” “ me” , “ be” and the word “ the” when it precedes a we” “ me” , “ be” and the word “ the” when it precedes a vowel.vowel.

ExamplesExamples

• In most other cases of weak syllables containing a close front In most other cases of weak syllables containing a close front unrounded vowel we can assign the vowel to the phoneme, as in unrounded vowel we can assign the vowel to the phoneme, as in the first syllable of “ resist”/rthe first syllable of “ resist”/rIIzzIIst/ “ st/ “

• Inane Inane / IneIn/ IneIn / “ enough” / / “ enough” /IIn n ʌʌ f / and the middle syllable of “ f / and the middle syllable of “ incident” and the final syllable of “ swimming” / swImIincident” and the final syllable of “ swimming” / swImIŋŋ / liquid / / liquid / lIkwId / Optic / ɒptIk /.It can be seen that this vowel is most lIkwId / Optic / ɒptIk /.It can be seen that this vowel is most often represented in spelling by the letters “ i’’ and “ e” often represented in spelling by the letters “ i’’ and “ e”

• Weak syllbles with close back rounded vowel are not so Weak syllbles with close back rounded vowel are not so common.Their most frequent occurrence is in the words “ you” , “ common.Their most frequent occurrence is in the words “ you” , “ into”, “ to”, “ do”,when they are unstressed and are not into”, “ to”, “ do”,when they are unstressed and are not immediately preceding a consonant, and “ through” and “ who” in immediately preceding a consonant, and “ through” and “ who” in all positions whey they are unstressed.We also find weak syllable all positions whey they are unstressed.We also find weak syllable where the vowel tends to sound more like the ʊ vowel of the where the vowel tends to sound more like the ʊ vowel of the book;usually this is found with a preceding j glide, as in book;usually this is found with a preceding j glide, as in evacuationevacuation

• / IvækjueI/ IvækjueIʃnʃn /.An example of such a vowel without a preceding j /.An example of such a vowel without a preceding j is Influenzais Influenza

• / Inflluenza // Inflluenza /

Syllabic ConsonantsSyllabic Consonants

Syllabic ‘l’ with alveolar consonant Syllabic ‘l’ with alveolar consonant precedingpreceding

cattle / kætl / bottle / bɒtl / cattle / kætl / bottle / bɒtl / muddle /mmuddle /mʌʌdl/dl/

With non-alveolar consonant With non-alveolar consonant precedingpreceding

Couple /k Couple /k ʌʌ pl/ trouble/ tr pl/ trouble/ trʌʌbl /bl /

Knuckle /n Knuckle /n ʌʌ kl/ kl/

• Such words usually lose their final Such words usually lose their final letter “ e” when a suffix is beginning letter “ e” when a suffix is beginning with a vowel is attached, but the l with a vowel is attached, but the l usually remains syllabic.Thus:usually remains syllabic.Thus:

• Bottle-bottling /bɒtlIBottle-bottling /bɒtlIŋŋ//

• Mudlle-muddling / mMudlle-muddling / mʌʌdlIdlIŋ/ŋ/

• ‘‘panel’ /ppanel’ /pæænl/ papal / nl/ papal / peIpl /peIpl /

• Petal / petl / parcel / pPetal / petl / parcel / pɑ:ɑ:sl /sl /

• Kernel / k Kernel / k ɜ:ɜ:nl/ Babel / beIbl /nl/ Babel / beIbl /

• Pedal / pedl / ducal /dju:kl /Pedal / pedl / ducal /dju:kl /

Rhythm and meter in Rhythm and meter in EnglishEnglish

• English poetry employs five basic rhythms English poetry employs five basic rhythms of varying stressed (/) and unstressed (x) of varying stressed (/) and unstressed (x) syllables. The meters are iambs, trochees, syllables. The meters are iambs, trochees, spondees, anapests and dactyls. In this spondees, anapests and dactyls. In this document the stressed syllables are document the stressed syllables are marked in boldface type rather than the marked in boldface type rather than the tradition al "/" and "x." Each unit of rhythm tradition al "/" and "x." Each unit of rhythm is called a "foot" of poetry. is called a "foot" of poetry.

• IAMBIC (x /) : That IAMBIC (x /) : That timetime of of yearyear thou thou mayst mayst in in meme bebeholdhold

• TROCHAIC (/ x): TROCHAIC (/ x): TellTell me me not not in in mournmournful ful numnumbersbers• SPONDAIC (/ /): SPONDAIC (/ /): BreakBreak, , breakbreak, , breakbreak/ On thy / On thy coldcold

graygray stonesstones, O , O SeaSea! ! • Meters with three-syllable feet are Meters with three-syllable feet are • ANAPESTIC (x x /): And theANAPESTIC (x x /): And the sound sound of a of a voicevoice that that

is is stillstill• DACTYLIC (/ x x): DACTYLIC (/ x x): ThisThis is the is the forforest priest primemeval, the val, the

murmurmuring muring pinespines and the and the hemhemlock (a trochee lock (a trochee replaces the final dactyl) replaces the final dactyl)

Strong and Weak FormsStrong and Weak Forms

Strong forms are often found:Strong forms are often found:

• When they occur at the end of a wordWhen they occur at the end of a word

• When a word is contrasted with When a word is contrasted with another wordanother word

• When a word is stressed for emphasisWhen a word is stressed for emphasis

• When a word is being quoted.When a word is being quoted.

  Strongform

Weak form Example

Prepositions      

to tu: tə   I went to the market.

For fɔ:(r) fə(r)   Wait for me!

From frɒm frəm   She's from York.

Into ɪntu: ɪntə   Put it into the box.

Of ɒv ə(v)   A bottle of wine.

As æz əz   ..as good as gold...

at æt ət   He's not at home.

Auxiliary verbs   Strong Form Weak Form  

Example

Do du: də Where do you live?

Are ɑ: ə(r)* John and Mary are here.

was wɒz wəz I was quite interested.

Were wɜ: wə(r) They were bored.

Would wʊd wəd She said she would be here.

Could kʊd kəd What could I do?

Should ʃʊd ʃəd They should be here by now.

Can kæn kən What can you do with it?

Must mʌst məs(t) You must be a bit more patient.

Others  

 

  Strong Form  

Weak Form  

Example

And ænd ənd, ən, n ̩ Rock 'n' roll.

but bʌt bət ...but one of the main points...

Than ð ænð æn ððən It's faster than mine.

that (as a relative) ð ætð æt ð ð ətt The dog that bit me ...

you (as object pronoun) ju: jə Where do you live?

your jɔ: jə (r) Where's your jumper?

her (as object pronoun) hɜ:(r) (h)ə(r)* I'll give her a ring later.

A eɪ ə Take a good book.

an æn ən He's an idiot!

The ði: ðə, ði (before a vowel) What's the time?

     

   

 

Weak FormsWeak Forms

• English is a stress-timed language, which English is a stress-timed language, which means that stressed syllables are equal in means that stressed syllables are equal in timing. In order to fit our words into this timing. In order to fit our words into this pattern, we tend to "squash" or compress pattern, we tend to "squash" or compress other syllables or words occurring between other syllables or words occurring between stresses, in order to keep up with the more stresses, in order to keep up with the more or less regular rhythm (Mayers 1981:422). or less regular rhythm (Mayers 1981:422). Therefore, compressing or "weakening" Therefore, compressing or "weakening" some sounds is necessary to keep the some sounds is necessary to keep the rhythm of English.rhythm of English.

A weak form is the pronunciation of a word or A weak form is the pronunciation of a word or syllable in an unstressed manner. Of course, syllable in an unstressed manner. Of course, the difference between the strong form the difference between the strong form (stressed) and the weak form (unstressed) of (stressed) and the weak form (unstressed) of a word is not apparent in writing, but in a word is not apparent in writing, but in speech these two variations in pronunciation speech these two variations in pronunciation can be drastically different. If spoken in can be drastically different. If spoken in isolation, the weak form of a word would isolation, the weak form of a word would probably be unintelligible. The difference probably be unintelligible. The difference between the two forms can affect meaning. between the two forms can affect meaning. Here is an example to show how strong and Here is an example to show how strong and weak forms of a single word (weak forms of a single word (thatthat) can change ) can change the entire meaning of a sentence:the entire meaning of a sentence: John thinks that man is evil. /ð ə t/John thinks that man is evil. /ð ə t/This version of the sentence, with the weak This version of the sentence, with the weak (unstressed) form of (unstressed) form of thatthat, means "John thinks , means "John thinks all humans are evil." əall humans are evil." ə

• Weak forms are usually distinguished Weak forms are usually distinguished by a change in vowel quality from a by a change in vowel quality from a border position on the vowel border position on the vowel quadrilateral to a central position. The quadrilateral to a central position. The vowel in a weak form is usually the vowel in a weak form is usually the schwa (schwa (əə). Weak forms are pronounced ). Weak forms are pronounced more quickly and at lower volume in more quickly and at lower volume in comparison to the stressed syllables. comparison to the stressed syllables. They are also not central to changes in They are also not central to changes in intonation. intonation.