Page 279 - DENG504_LINGUISTICS

Unit 20: Difference in R.P. and Indian English

Notes
Consonant Initial Middle Final
p pan span sap
b bit cubs nib
t tip steel cut
d dot heads lid
k kite skin lock
g guide flags big
t ∫ chain touched catch
d ¥ joy gauged edge
m man slums calm
n nest sense stone
ŋ — rings things
l lane split bell
f fish raft stiff
v veil sleeves hive
θ think months width
ð they breathed bathe
s soap test cross
z zero confusion crows
∫ shop brushed flash
¥ — confusion beige
h heart behave —
r read brave —
w watch sweet —
j yatch news —

We will now look at the descriptive classification of vowel sounds in English language. To understand
the occurrence and functioning of vowel sounds, it is important to introduce the concept of ‘cardinal’
vowels. To help identify vowels in different languages, phoneticians use a series of reference vowels,
called cardinal vowels with which to compare them. These consist of four vowels produced at each
extremity of the vowel producing area: /i/, /a/, /a/ and /u/, plus four in intermediate positions
which sound equidistant between /i/ and /a/at the front and /u/ and /a/ at the back. /e/ and / ε /
are intermediate at the front, and /o/ and / / are intermediate at the back. These eight cardinal
vowels are numbered as follows: 1/i, 2/e, 3/e, 4/a, 5/a, 6/], 7 /o/, and 8 /u/. In addition, equidistant
between /i/ and /u/ is the central, close vowel /tt/.
20.1 The Standard of Pronunciation

The pronunciation of a language varies every six miles because of geographical and cultural reasons.
The speakers of one and the same language will vary in the standard of pronunciation on the basis of
their standards of education and living. A villager may speak language of a different variety from a
man from the city.
The pronunciation of English also varies from one geographical entity to the other, from one country
to another. There are marked and distinct phonetic features associated with English spoken in the
English-speaking nations such as the U.K., the U.S.A., Canada and Australia. Even within the U.K.,
there are variations between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

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