What makes up our accents?

individual vowel and consonant sounds

focus in thought groups

word, phrase, and sentence stress > rhythm

linking of sounds, words, and phrases

reduced forms

intonation

Word, Phrase and Sentence Stress > Rhythm

Today I will go to the gym to work out.

0.6 sec. 0.6 sec. 0.6 sec.

0.6 sec.0.6 sec.0.6 sec.

Most men like cars.

From Rhythm and Unstress by Howard B. Woods

Stress content words:

nouns / main verbs / adjectives / adverbs negatives / wh-words / interjections

Reduce or weaken function words:

articles / conjunctions / prepositionspronouns / auxiliary verbs

How do we know which words to stress?

Content vs. Function Words

DA di di DA di di DABill is in front of the room.Ann is a way for the day.Nice is a town by the sea.

A. Find the right matches:

a. di DA di 1. Try to sleep.b. di DA di di 2. You promised to phone.c. di DA di DA 3. I'd like to help.d. di DA di di DA 4. It's broken.e. DA di DA 5. I stepped on it.

B. Create your own sentences with the same stress patterns as in a. thorough e. above.

I hear those voices of skepticism. But I ask you to consider the alternative. If an agreement is not reached, Palestinians will never know the pride and dignity that comes with their own state. Israelis will never know the certainty and security that comes with sovereign and stable neighbors who are committed to coexistence. The hard realities of demography will take hold. More blood will be shed. This Holy Land will remain a symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity.

I refuse to accept that future. And we all have a choice to make. Each of us must choose the path of peace.

- USA President Barack Obama: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, September 23, 2010

Listen to audio (11:01)

Focus in Phrases (thought groups) and Sentences

A woman / without her man / is nothing.

A woman / without her / man is nothing.

Focus in Sentences and Phrases One word or syllable in every phrase or sentence receives more stress or emphasis than the other. This word is the most prominent word in the phrase and is called the focus word. How do we create focus?

When a conversation begins or a topic is introduced, the focus is usually the last content word:

Where are you going? May I borrow the car?

If information is new or just introduced, focus shifts to the new piece of information:

Let's continue our discussion of pollution. Yesterday we defined pollution. Today we'll talk about the impact of pollution.

What's your favorite dessert? Ice cream...chocolate ice cream.

Read the following dialogues with the correct focus in each thought group.

A. I've got to study. Where've I put my book?B. Which book?A. My calculus book.B. Try the bookcase.A. The bookcase is full of your comic books.B. Then look in the bedroom.A. I've looked in the bedroom. I give up. This apartment is a mess! I can't find anything in this place.B. Wait a minute. The book is right there in your hand.

A. When's the party? B. Which party?A. The staff party. B. It's Tuesday night.A. But there's a meeting on Tuesday night.B. No. That's been postponed.

Intonation

The soccer game is this weekend.

When? When?

I have to see Dr. Smith.

I have to see, Dr. Smith.

Reduced Forms

wanna gonna hafta

shoulda woulda coulda

Whaddaya Say?

Linking

Linking, or connecting the end of one word with the beginning of the next word helps give English its flow. Sometimes an entire sentence sounds like one word.

What do you want to do? sounds like Whadayawannado?

There are certain linking conventions English speakers observe that ESL students may not be aware of:

1) When the final consonant sound of one word and the first consonant sound of the next word are the same, the sound is lengthened or held, not pronounced twice.

at_twelve (hold the "t", but make the sound only once)big_game / good_deal / class_schedule / he'll_look

2) When the final sound is a consonant and the next word begins with a vowel sound, the consonant usually jumps to the next word.

clean_up sounds like clea-nuptake_off sounds like ta-koffdrop_him_off sounds like dro-pi-moff

3) When the final sound is a stop consonant - /p/, /b/, /k/, /g/, /t/, /d/ - and the next word begins with a consonant, do not release the first stop consonant.

stop_sign (do not release /p/ ) / cab_driver / big_problem / lap_top_computer

4) When /t/ is linked with /y/, the combined sound is "ch" as in "choose.”

Don't_you know?Haven't you heard?Can't_you go?

5) When /d/ is linked with /y/, the combined sound is "j" as in "juice."

Did_you know?Would_you help?I called_you.

Linking

Sup? Sko!

Jeet? No, joo?

Ledder gedda bedder wädr heedr.

What’s up? Let’s go!

Did you eat? No, did you?

Let her get a better water heater.

Mad Gabs

Ask Rude Arrive Her A screwdriver

Plea Sway Tube Ease Heated

Please wait to be seated.

Chick He Tub An An Us Chiquita bananas