Linguistics 2A Midterm Exam
Syllable = σ, a unit containing an obligatory centre part which is usually a vowel.
Nucleus = middle part of the syllable, often the vowel.
Onset = consonants before the nucleus. Onset without consonant: empty onset.
Coda = consonants after the nucleus.
Rhyme = nucleus + coda.
Syllabic consonants = a consonant pretends it’s a vowel (ex: little).
Syllable structure = English has a complex syllable structure, as it allows more than 2
consonants in onset and coda. Languages like Darai have moderately complex syllable
structure, the most complex syllable allowed is CCVC. Other languages have simple syllable
structure, like Hawaiian (CV, = timing position).
Phonotactics = which sequences of sounds are allowed within a syllable in any language
(ex: only 3 consonants are allowed in English onsets).
Phonotactic restriction = when a word isn’t grammatically possible.
Distribution = which sounds can occur in which positions within a syllable / word (ex: schwa
cannot occur in stressed syllables).
Maximal onset principle = if a consonant can be in an onset, it’s assigned to the onset of
the 2nd syllable.
Heavy syllables = syllables with 2 timing positions in rhyme (/i 3 a c u/, these are long). In
English, stress usually falls on a heavy syllable.
Light syllables = syllables with 1 timing position in rhyme.
Lexical stress [‘] = the stress pattern of syllables in isolation.
Rhythmic stress = the stress pattern of syllables in sentences.
Content words = nouns, adjectives, verbs (usually stressed).
Function words = pronouns, conjunctions, determiners (usually not stressed).
Weak forms = reduced pronunciations, usually occur in function words (ex: and, of).
Minimal word = 1 stressed syllable. This can be a closed syllable (syllable with a coda) or
an open syllable (ending in diphthong or /i 3 a c u/).
Dark l = lip, bleach, believe is [ l ] (a clear l). Full, bulk, filter is [ ɫ ] (a dark l). This is an
extrinsic allophone (depends on the position of the l).
Citation form = transcription of words in isolation.
Types of variation in pronunciation of sounds: 1. When they occur in different positions in the
syllable 2. When the words in which they occur are part of connected speech 3. Depends on
the speaker’s accent and social factors (age, gender, social class).
Phonemes = smallest units that can make a meaning difference, but they occur in different
forms depending on the environment. We can tell if 2 sounds are variants of the same
phoneme by replacing them and seeing if they make meaning difference. / /
Allophones = when they don’t make meaning difference, they’re different versions of the
same phoneme. [ ]
Broad transcription = only symbols & stress. / /
Allophonic transcription = also with diacritics. Turn the /r/ upside down. [ ]
Free allophonic variation = alternative allophones of a phoneme are possible. So, the
pronunciation might differ but it doesn’t change the meaning. Ex: you can pronounce the first
sound in ‘affix’ like /ə/ or /ӕ/.
Minimal pairs = pairs of words that only differ by 1 sound and mean different things. Ex:
pear, bear).
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Syllable = σ, a unit containing an obligatory centre part which is usually a vowel.
Nucleus = middle part of the syllable, often the vowel.
Onset = consonants before the nucleus. Onset without consonant: empty onset.
Coda = consonants after the nucleus.
Rhyme = nucleus + coda.
Syllabic consonants = a consonant pretends it’s a vowel (ex: little).
Syllable structure = English has a complex syllable structure, as it allows more than 2
consonants in onset and coda. Languages like Darai have moderately complex syllable
structure, the most complex syllable allowed is CCVC. Other languages have simple syllable
structure, like Hawaiian (CV, = timing position).
Phonotactics = which sequences of sounds are allowed within a syllable in any language
(ex: only 3 consonants are allowed in English onsets).
Phonotactic restriction = when a word isn’t grammatically possible.
Distribution = which sounds can occur in which positions within a syllable / word (ex: schwa
cannot occur in stressed syllables).
Maximal onset principle = if a consonant can be in an onset, it’s assigned to the onset of
the 2nd syllable.
Heavy syllables = syllables with 2 timing positions in rhyme (/i 3 a c u/, these are long). In
English, stress usually falls on a heavy syllable.
Light syllables = syllables with 1 timing position in rhyme.
Lexical stress [‘] = the stress pattern of syllables in isolation.
Rhythmic stress = the stress pattern of syllables in sentences.
Content words = nouns, adjectives, verbs (usually stressed).
Function words = pronouns, conjunctions, determiners (usually not stressed).
Weak forms = reduced pronunciations, usually occur in function words (ex: and, of).
Minimal word = 1 stressed syllable. This can be a closed syllable (syllable with a coda) or
an open syllable (ending in diphthong or /i 3 a c u/).
Dark l = lip, bleach, believe is [ l ] (a clear l). Full, bulk, filter is [ ɫ ] (a dark l). This is an
extrinsic allophone (depends on the position of the l).
Citation form = transcription of words in isolation.
Types of variation in pronunciation of sounds: 1. When they occur in different positions in the
syllable 2. When the words in which they occur are part of connected speech 3. Depends on
the speaker’s accent and social factors (age, gender, social class).
Phonemes = smallest units that can make a meaning difference, but they occur in different
forms depending on the environment. We can tell if 2 sounds are variants of the same
phoneme by replacing them and seeing if they make meaning difference. / /
Allophones = when they don’t make meaning difference, they’re different versions of the
same phoneme. [ ]
Broad transcription = only symbols & stress. / /
Allophonic transcription = also with diacritics. Turn the /r/ upside down. [ ]
Free allophonic variation = alternative allophones of a phoneme are possible. So, the
pronunciation might differ but it doesn’t change the meaning. Ex: you can pronounce the first
sound in ‘affix’ like /ə/ or /ӕ/.
Minimal pairs = pairs of words that only differ by 1 sound and mean different things. Ex:
pear, bear).
1
