Intonation
Intonation refers to the rise and fall of a speaker's voice pitch during speech. It can convey a speaker's emotions, attitudes, and emphasis on certain words or phrases. Intonation has a significant influence on the interpretation and meaning of spoken language and can change the meaning of a sentence even if the words stay the same. For example, a rising intonation at the end of a sentence can indicate a question, while a falling intonation can indicate a statement.
Tone
Tone refers to the attitude or emotion a speaker conveys through their choice of words and speaking style, including factors such as volume, pace, and intonation. Tone can express a speaker's feelings towards the topic being discussed, the audience they are speaking to, or the situation they are in. For example, a speaker may use a friendly tone when speaking to friends, a formal tone in a business meeting, or an angry tone when expressing frustration. The tone of a speaker's voice can greatly affect how their message is perceived and can influence the listener's understanding and interpretation of the message.
Linking
Linking, in the context of connected speech, refers to the process of smoothly connecting one word to the next in continuous speech. This helps to create a more natural, fluent-sounding delivery by avoiding abrupt pauses between words. Linking can be achieved in a variety of ways, including the blending of sounds from one word into the next, the elimination of sounds between words, and the insertion of transitional sounds. Linking is an important aspect of pronunciation in many languages and can greatly improve the intelligibility and naturalness of a speaker's speech.
Rhythm
Rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in speech, creating a musical beat or flow to the language. In English, rhythm is created by the alternating pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. It is an important aspect of speech as it can affect the listener's perception of the speaker's pace, emphasis, and tone. A slower, more measured rhythm can convey a sense of formality or seriousness, while a faster, more energetic rhythm can convey excitement or enthusiasm. Rhythm is also important in helping listeners to understand and remember what is being said, as it can help to break up complex or lengthy information into more manageable chunks.
Aspiration
Aspiration is a phonetic feature that refers to the release of a burst of air when pronouncing certain speech sounds. In English, aspiration is often associated with the initial sounds of words beginning with voiceless plosives, such as /p/, /t/, /k/. The degree of aspiration can vary between accents and languages, but in Received Pronunciation, it is characterized by a strong burst of air following the release of the plosive.
For example, in the word "pat", the initial /p/ sound is aspirated in RP, which means there is a strong burst of air following the release of the plosive. In some accents, such as Cockney, the /p/ sound may not be as aspirated or may not be aspirated at all.
To improve aspiration when speaking RP, one can practice holding their voice while they produce the burst of air and consciously paying attention to the release of the burst when speaking. Practising minimal pairs, such as "pat" and "bat", can also help highlight the difference in aspiration and improve accuracy.
Prosody
Prosody refers to the rhythmic and melodic aspects of speech, including features such as stress, intonation, rhythm, and tempo. It encompasses the melody and musicality of speech, and plays a crucial role in conveying the emotional and communicative content of speech. Prosody can indicate the speaker's attitudes, intentions, and emotions, and can greatly influence the listener's interpretation of the message being conveyed. For example, a monotone, flat prosody can indicate boredom or lack of interest, while a lively, energetic prosody can indicate excitement or enthusiasm. Prosody is an important aspect of speech and can greatly enhance the listener's understanding and enjoyment of the spoken message.
Syllable stress
Syllable stress refers to the emphasis given to certain syllables within a word, leading to a rhythmic pattern in speech. In English, syllable stress can change the meaning of a word, and is an important aspect of pronunciation. In English, some words are stressed on the first syllable (such as "object"), while others are stressed on the second syllable ("present"). The stress placed on certain syllables within a sentence can also affect the rhythm and melody of speech, and can convey the speaker's attitudes and emotions. For example, a sentence spoken with strong stress on certain words can convey emphasis and importance, while a sentence spoken with a more even stress pattern can convey a more neutral or conversational tone. Understanding syllable stress is important for effective and clear communication in English.
Head voice
Head voice is a term used in vocal music to describe a type of singing voice that is produced in the upper part of the vocal range, usually above the chest voice. It is characterized by a bright, clear, and nasal tone, and is used to produce high notes with ease and control. The head voice is typically considered more delicate and less resonant than Chest voice, but is still an important part of a well-rounded singing technique.
Chest voice
Chest voice is a term used in vocal music to describe a type of singing voice that is produced in the lower part of the vocal range and is characterized by a rich, resonant tone. It is produced by vibration of the vocal cords in the larger, lower part of the larynx and is typically used for singing lower notes and for producing a strong, powerful sound. Chest voice is considered to be the most natural and natural-sounding type of singing voice, and is a key part of most singers' vocal technique. In contrast to head voice, which is used for singing higher notes and is characterized by a brighter, more nasal tone, chest voice is used for a more full-bodied, grounded sound.
Vocal fry
Vocal fry is a low, creaky-sounding speech pattern that is produced by allowing the vocal cords to vibrate at the lowest frequency possible. This results in a harsh, popping sound that is often used to add emphasis or express boredom or disinterest. Vocal fry has become increasingly common among younger speakers, particularly women, and is often criticized for being perceived as unprofessional or irritating. However, its use is still a matter of personal preference and can vary widely based on individual speaking style, cultural background, and other factors.
Voice inflexion
Voice inflexion refers to the variations in pitch, tone, and volume used to express emotions, attitudes, and meaning in speech. It is an important aspect of verbal communication, as it helps to convey the speaker's intended meaning and emphasis, and can greatly impact the listener's interpretation of the message. Voice inflexion is influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural background, regional dialect, and individual speaking style. Effective use of voice inflexion can make speech more engaging, interesting, and convincing, while a lack of inflexion can make speech monotonous or difficult to understand.
Retroflex
Retroflex sounds are a type of consonant sound produced by curling the tongue back into a shape that resembles the roof of the mouth. In phonetics, retroflex sounds are characterized by a concave tongue shape and a retracted tongue root, which creates a distinctive sound that is different from other types of sounds produced by the tongue. These sounds are common in many languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Sanskrit, and Hindi. Retroflex sounds are typically produced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge or the hard palate, which can affect the pronunciation of other nearby sounds. In some languages, retroflex sounds are considered a separate set of sounds and are represented by unique symbols in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Trilled /r/
The trilled /r/ is a sound produced by vibrating the tongue rapidly against the alveolar ridge, which is the ridge located just behind the upper front teeth. This sound is common in many languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Scottish English, among others. In some languages, such as Spanish, the trilled /r/ is a basic sound and is used in many words. In others, such as Italian and Scottish English, it is used only in certain positions or words. The trilled /r/ is produced by quickly vibrating the tongue back and forth, creating a rolling or trilling sound. This sound is different from the English /r/, which is typically pronounced as a flap or an approximant, depending on the accent and the surrounding sounds.
Pulmonic consonants
Pulmonic consonants are speech sounds that are produced by expelling air from the lungs, also known as pulmonic egressive airflow. They are the most common type of consonants in the world's languages and include sounds such as /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/, /m/, /n/, /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /h/, and many others. Pulmonic consonants are classified based on their manner of articulation (such as stop, fricative, nasal, etc.), place of articulation (such as bilabial, labiodental, dental, alveolar, etc.), and voice (voiced or voiceless). Pulmonic consonants are produced by blocking the airflow in some way and then releasing it, causing a burst of air that creates the sound.
Nasalization
Nasalization is a sound feature in which air is expelled through the nose as well as the mouth during speech. This results in a sound that is partially or fully nasal in quality. The production of nasalized sounds involves the lowering of the soft palate, which allows air to escape through the nose while the mouth remains closed.
In some languages, nasalized vowels are contrastive phonemes, meaning that they are separate sounds from their oral counterparts and can change the meaning of a word. In other languages, nasalization is a phonetic detail that is dependent on the context in which a sound is produced, such as the presence of a following nasal consonant.
Nasalization is an important aspect of many languages and can play a role in the rhythm and melody of speech. It is a feature that non-native speakers may have difficulty mastering and may require specific training in order to produce the sounds accurately.
