Vocabulary
linguistics /lɪŋˈgwɪstɪks/ n. (语言学) the study of languages
morpheme /ˈmɔrfim/ n. (语素) the smallest combination of sounds that convey a meaning in a spoken language
phoneme /ˈfoʊnim/ n. (音位)the smallest unit of sound in a spoken language
phonetics /fəˈnɛtɪks, foʊ-/ n. (语音学)
phonology /fəˈnɒlədʒi, foʊ-/ n. (语音) the study of the sounds of a language
syntax /ˈsɪntæks/ n. (句式) rules concerning correct grammatical way in which words are formed into sentences
morpheme /ˈmɔrfim/ n. (语素) the smallest combination of sounds that convey a meaning in a spoken language
phoneme /ˈfoʊnim/ n. (音位)the smallest unit of sound in a spoken language
phonetics /fəˈnɛtɪks, foʊ-/ n. (语音学)
phonology /fəˈnɒlədʒi, foʊ-/ n. (语音) the study of the sounds of a language
syntax /ˈsɪntæks/ n. (句式) rules concerning correct grammatical way in which words are formed into sentences
Human Speech Anatomy
Human speech is accomplished mainly through the use of four body parts: the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. Each phoneme in a language uses a different combination of these four body parts. In English, for example, the letter P is pronounced using the lungs, throat, and mouth. The sounding of the letter N on the other hand incorporates the lungs, throat, and nasal passages. Just as sounds are made using different parts of the anatomy, so too are different letters pronounced using different parts of each body part. When pronouncing the sound L, the tongue is used, but when the sound B is pronounced, the lips are used.
Latin and Other Terms Used in Speech Anatomy
alveolar
bi-two
fricative
labial-lips
labiodental
voiced
unvoiced
plosive
velar
bi-two
fricative
labial-lips
labiodental
voiced
unvoiced
plosive
velar
Terms For Letters With Multiple Sounds
hard sound
soft sound
long sound
short sound
soft sound
long sound
short sound
Those Pesky Letters
For most Chinese students, the most difficult morphemes to master are the letters V, Z, R, and the digraph TH. The Chinese language does have sounds similar to the English Z and R, however, there is enough difference that it causes Chinese students problems in pronouncing these sounds correctly in English. These sounds must in a sense be relearned by the Chinese student if they are to learn to correctly pronounce these sounds in English. The other two sounds, V and TH, do not exist in Chinese, and must therefore be learned as a completely new sound.