SHS 250 – Speech and Hearing Science, SHS 250, University-
Level Course, Academic Year Not Specified – Final Exam
Study Guide with Comprehensive Term Definitions and
Phonetics Concepts Summary
Introduction:
This document provides a complete and structured overview of
key concepts in speech and hearing science for SHS 250, with a
strong focus on phonetics, phonology, speech production, and
dialectal variation. It includes clearly defined terminology,
exam-style questions with correct answers, and concise
explanations aligned specifically with final exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Answers:
vowel reduction -Correct Answer:-occurs in unstressed
syllables; vowel reduces along the dotted line, usually moving
one step in progression centrally
ex: /i/ to "i" in bit
diphthongs reduce to monophthongs
diphthong -Correct Answer:-employs a gradual transition from
one vowel-like sound to another
, allophone -Correct Answer:-variation of a phoneme which
does not change meaning
complementary distribution -Correct Answer:-rules based on
the phonetic environment. 2 allophones will not occur in the
same phonetic environment; the allophones occur in mutually
exclusive environments. Can be predicted
free variation -Correct Answer:-random; allophones can occur
in the same environment
coarticulation -Correct Answer:-when a sound is produced
differently because of the influence of sounds in its phonetic
context (neighborhood)
ex: key /ki/, k /k/, cow (rounded back vowel)
Assimilation -Correct Answer:-the change of a sound segment
whereby it takes on characteristics of neighboring sounds,
becoming similar
spreading/shingling -Correct Answer:-as if the characteristics
permeate nearby sounds, 'coloring' them ex: input > imput
Level Course, Academic Year Not Specified – Final Exam
Study Guide with Comprehensive Term Definitions and
Phonetics Concepts Summary
Introduction:
This document provides a complete and structured overview of
key concepts in speech and hearing science for SHS 250, with a
strong focus on phonetics, phonology, speech production, and
dialectal variation. It includes clearly defined terminology,
exam-style questions with correct answers, and concise
explanations aligned specifically with final exam preparation.
Exam Questions and Answers:
vowel reduction -Correct Answer:-occurs in unstressed
syllables; vowel reduces along the dotted line, usually moving
one step in progression centrally
ex: /i/ to "i" in bit
diphthongs reduce to monophthongs
diphthong -Correct Answer:-employs a gradual transition from
one vowel-like sound to another
, allophone -Correct Answer:-variation of a phoneme which
does not change meaning
complementary distribution -Correct Answer:-rules based on
the phonetic environment. 2 allophones will not occur in the
same phonetic environment; the allophones occur in mutually
exclusive environments. Can be predicted
free variation -Correct Answer:-random; allophones can occur
in the same environment
coarticulation -Correct Answer:-when a sound is produced
differently because of the influence of sounds in its phonetic
context (neighborhood)
ex: key /ki/, k /k/, cow (rounded back vowel)
Assimilation -Correct Answer:-the change of a sound segment
whereby it takes on characteristics of neighboring sounds,
becoming similar
spreading/shingling -Correct Answer:-as if the characteristics
permeate nearby sounds, 'coloring' them ex: input > imput
