Phonetics and Speech Sounds

Front

What does 'Phonetic' refer to?

Back

Phonetic refers to the sounds of speech and how they are represented in writing. It helps us understand how to pronounce words correctly.

Front

What is a 'Symbol' in phonetics?

Back

A symbol is a mark or character used to represent something. In phonetics, symbols represent specific sounds in speech.

Front

Define 'Sound' in the context of speech.

Back

Sound is what we hear when someone speaks. In English, there are many different sounds that make up words.

Front

What is a 'Vowel'?

Back

A vowel is a type of sound in speech that is produced without blocking the airflow. The main vowels in English are A, E, I, O, and U.

Front

What is a 'Consonant'?

Back

A consonant is a speech sound that is made by partially or completely blocking the airflow. Examples include sounds like B, C, and D.

Front

What is a 'Diphthong'?

Back

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable.

Front

What does 'Pronunciation' mean?

Back

Pronunciation is how we say words. It can vary greatly, making it important to learn the correct sounds.

Front

Define 'Syllable'.

Back

A syllable is a single, unbroken sound of a spoken word. It usually contains a vowel sound and can have consonants before or after it.

Front

What does 'Inconsistent' mean in pronunciation?

Back

Inconsistent means not always the same. In pronunciation, it refers to how the same letter can sound different in different words.

Front

What are 'Voiced' sounds?

Back

Voiced sounds are made when the vocal cords vibrate. For example, the sound /b/ is voiced, while /p/ is not.