Descriptive Grammar of English

Phonetics and Phonology

2008/2009

mgr Jakub Bielak

Test 2 (January 2009) Review Sheet

1. The problems one faces in the description and classification of vowels.

2. The system of cardinal vowels.

3. English vowels and diphthongs - you should be able to describe and classify all English vowels (both monophthongs [pure vowels] and diphthongs) using the relevant parameters of description (vowel height, vowel frontness/backness, vowel length, lip shape, falling/rising, closing/centering). You should also be able to use and define the following terms: pure vowels (monophthongs), diphthongs, triphthongs, nasal vowels, rhotacized vowels, resonance, vowel height, vowel frontness/backness, vowel length, lip rounding/spreading, falling/rising diphthongs, closing/centring diphthongs.

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