Introduction to Linguistics Study Guide Anna Gartsman & Laura Hughes Northeastern University Senior Honors Project 2006-2007
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Honors Project Cover Page Introductory Linguistics Study Guide By Anna Gartsman and Laura Hughes, Class of 2007 May 2007 Department of Linguistics College of Arts & Sciences Northeastern University Advisor: Janet Randall Project field: Linguistics Colleges/Majors: • Anna Gartsman: o School of Computer Science: Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology o School of Arts & Sciences: Linguistics • Laura Hughes o School of Arts & Sciences: Linguistics and Psychology Abstract: A step-by-step guide to the major areas of introductory-level theoretical linguistics (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) with a focus on practical problem-solving. Designed to assist students in low-level linguistics classes and tutors of same by providing additional explanations, examples and exercises. Introduction to Linguistics Study Guide Anna Gartsman & Laura Hughes Northeastern University Senior Honors Project 2006-2007 Contents Phonetics Syntax The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Constituency Natural Classes Lexical Categories Features English Phrase Structure & Syntax Trees Ambiguous Sentences Phonology Complex Sentences Minimal Pairs Transformations Phonemes and Allophones Complementary & Contrastive Distribution Semantics Environments Connotation & Denotation Determining the Underlying Phoneme Processes of Semantic Change Rules Theta roles Analyzing Data Sets Tautologies, Contradictions, & Phonological Processes Contingencies Sense & Reference Morphology Presupposition & Entailment Basic Lexical Categories (Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb) Pragmatics Morphology Terms & Definitions Grice’s Cooperative Principle, Maxims of Subcategorization Frames Conversation & Conversational Morphology Trees Implicature Zero-Derivation Speech Acts Morphology in Other Languages Brown & Levinson’s Politeness Theory Word Formation Processes Answers to Exercises Tables & Charts References 2 Phonetics Phonetics is the study of speech sounds. Lessons The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Overview & Tips IPA Example Chart: Consonants IPA Example Chart: Vowels IPA Transcription Exercises Natural Classes Overview, Examples & Tips Consonant Chart Vowel Chart Exercises Features Overview, Examples & Tips Example Problems List of Distinctive Features (Consonants) List of Distinctive Features (Vowels) Distinctive Feature Chart (Consonants) Distinctive Feature Chart (Vowels) Exercises 3 The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Objective: Transcribe English speech sounds in the international phonetic alphabet. What is the international phonetic alphabet (IPA), and why do we need one? The International Phonetic Alphabet is a way of transcribing speech as it’s pronounced, which means it can be used to transcribe any language (so long as there are symbols for the sounds spoken in that language). Because there is a one-to-one correspondence between symbols and sounds in IPA, there are no problems with weird, ambiguous spelling, silent letters, etc. such as we often find in written English. In phonetics and phonology, we use IPA to represent data sets of sounds from different languages. Using words written in IPA, we can focus on the sounds of a language without having to learn the writing systems of different languages—many of which don’t have any writing system at all, or have one that isn’t based on sounds (such as Chinese). You can use your textbook or handouts or the charts provided here to learn the IPA symbols used for English consonants and vowels. Since many languages have sounds we don’t use in English, you may be introduced to more symbols in later problem sets; but these symbols are all you need to start transcribing English speech. Transcription Tips: • Sounds Not Spelling When transcribing words into the IPA, focus on the sounds, not the way that they’re spelled. Say the word aloud. • Normal (Fast) Speech Be careful not to say the word too slowly and carefully, because that may change some of the sounds. The idea is to transcribe the way you usually pronounce the word in normal speech. • IPA Symbols Are Not the Same As Letters An IPA symbol may look like an English letter, but represent a different sound than that letter normally does. This is especially true of vowels. Note, for example, that [e] is the vowel sound in “say” or “weigh”, not in “bed” (that would be []). • Ignore Silent Letters Many English words have silent letters, the “e” at the end of “cape,” for example. Remember, the difference between “cap” and “cape” doesn’t have to do with the “e”—it’s a different vowel between [k] and [p] (that is, [kæp] vs. [kep]). • Your Pronunciation May Vary Even within English, people with different dialects may pronounce words differently. (Again, this is especially true of vowels!) There may be more than one way to transcribe a word, but there is only one way to transcribe the word the way you say it. • Use Your Friends If you’re worried that your accent or dialect is too non-standard, or if you can’t tell what sound you’re saying, ask someone else to say the word. If you’re worried about “priming” them to pronounce the word the way you do, write down the word and have them read it to you. The charts on the following pages give examples of the English consonants and vowels. We transcribed the words into IPA using our own dialect of Standard American English; your mileage may vary. (The symbols in parentheses show alternative symbols for the same sound.) 4 Phonetic Alphabet Chart: Consonants of English IPA Symbol Example (Standard Orthography) Example (IPA) p powers, superhero, cape pawrz, suprhiro, kep b Batman, Robin, lab bæmæn, rabn, læb t toxic, Green Lantern, invisible jet taksk, rin læntrn, nvzbl dt d Doctor Doom, incredible, Alfred daktr dum, nkrdbl, ælfrd k costume, Doctor Octopus, Hulk kastjum, daktr aktps, hlk Gotham, Magneto, Rogue am, mænio, ro f fortress, Alpha Flight, tough fortrs, ælf flajt, tf v villain, Professor Xavier, Batcave vln, prfsr zevir, bækev threat, Lex Luthor, stealth rt, lks lur, stl The Hulk, weather, scythe hlk, wr, saj s Superman, lasso, spandex suprmæn, læso, spændks z zonk, laser, disguise zak, lezr, dskajz ( š ) Shadowcat, radiation, Flash ædokæt, redien, flæ ( ž ) treasure, Mirage trr, mra h Hulk, superhero hlk, suprhiro t ( č ) champion, Watchmen, launch tæmpiyn, watmn, lnt d ( ǰ ) justice, origin, judge dsts, rdn, dd m Magneto, Aquaman, crime mænio, akwmæn, krajm n Nightcrawler, spandex, Robin najkralr, spændks, rabn super strength, Batarang supr strk, bæræ l Lois Lane, Alfred, Smallville lows len, ælfrd, smalvl r Rogue, Alfred, Nightcrawler ro, ælfrd, najkralr w Wonder Woman, Nightwing wndr wmn, najtw j ( y ) united, slayer junajd, slejr uh-oh, Batman o, bæmæn Magneto mænio Weird Consonants to Notice Glottal Stop: Voiceless stop that’s rare in English. It may almost seem like a short pause instead of a sound. “uh-oh” is the best example, but it can also replace “t” in certain words (like “mitten”) in some dialects. Lateral Flap: A quick flap of the tongue. Comes out sort of like a cross between a “t” and “d” sound, as in “butter”. j Palatal Glide: Be careful with word-medial [j]. Compare “layer” [lejr] with “lair” [ler]. 5 Phonetic Alphabet Chart: Vowels of English IPA Symbol Example (Standard Orthography) Example (IPA) i superhero suprhiro invisibility nvzbli e cape kep incredible nkrdbl æ Batman bæmæn Buffy bfi ability bli a Robin rabn u Superman suprmæn Doctor Octopus daktr aktps o Rogue ro law l aj ( a ) kryptonite krptnajt aw ( a ) powers pawrz j ( ) Superboy suprbj Weird Vowels to Notice aj, aw, j Diphthongs: Although written with two symbols, these count as one sound. Schwa: Always unstressed. Usually comes out sounding like [] as in “cut”. Found in longer words when another vowel is stressed. Low Back Round Vowel: Not everyone has this sound in their dialect. Do you have a difference between “caught” and “cot”? If so, then “caught” would be [kt]. If not, they are both [kat]. 6 IPA Transcription Exercises I. Consonants 1. Write the IPA symbol for the first sound in these words: sniffles ___ bronchitis ___ cold ___ pneumonia ___ flu ___ death ___ 2. Write the IPA symbol for the last sound in these words: rash ___ concussion ___ lacerations ___ hemorrhage ___ fracture ___ death ___ 3. Write the IPA symbol for the highlighted sound in these words: alcoholism ___ hemophilia ___ diabetes ___ cancer ___ hypothyroidism ___ chronic death... syndrome___ II. Vowels 1. Write the IPA symbol for the first sound in these words (just the first sound of the first word is fine if it’s a phrase): obesity ___ amnesia ___ epilepsy ___ aphasia ___ autism ___ attention deficit disorder___ 2. Write the IPA symbol for the last sound in these words (just the last sound of the last word is fine if it’s a phrase): dystrophy ___ sciatica ___ polio ___ punched in the jaw ___ 3. Write the IPA symbol for the highlighted sound in these words: borderline ___ schizoid ___ bipolar ___ paranoid ___ obsessive compulsive ___ antisocial ___ III. From Orthography to IPA 1. Write the following words in IPA: chlamydia _______________________ gonorrhea _______________________ hepatitis _______________________ syphilis _______________________ 1a. Alternate exercises for people who find STDs discomforting: fluffy bunnies________________________ sunshiney rainbows___________________ pretty unicorns_______________________ grim death and despair_________________ 7 2. Transcribe the following into IPA: Do no harm. Off with your shirt, let's have a look. A few days with a cooperative test subject could be worth months of theoretical research. IV. From IPA to Orthography 1. Write each word in standard English orthography. pl __________________ tot __________________ pil __________________ tt __________________ pul __________________ tat __________________ pl __________________ tut __________________ pel __________________ 2. Write each sentence in standard English orthography. aj kænt bliv ju at mi dz æt hæv ni lmnz n t? aj hæv strs ælrdi maj hajpolajsimi z nat mædnd. aj wz dstktli tld æt aj hæd bld r prablm V. Going Beyond 1. If you know another language, what (if any) sounds in that language cannot be represented using the symbols you now know? 2. Here’s a passage from another dialect of English.