Content

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………3

1. The investigation of the phoneme as a language unit…………………….. 6

1. Phoneme as a unity of three aspects……………………………………… 6

2. Conceptions of the phoneme…………………………………………….. 10

3. The system of English phoneme………………………………………… 15

   1. General characteristics of vowel phonemes……………………………… 15

   2. General characteristics of consonant phonemes…………………………. 22

4. Main trends in the phoneme theory……………………………………… 29

   1. Phonological schools…………………………………………………….. 29

   2. Methods of phonological analysis……………………………………….. 32

1.5 Phonemes in sign languages……………………………………………… 37

2. Differences in the articulation basis of English, Russian and Kazakh…… 41

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………56

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….58

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………..60

Introduction

Topicality

Phonetics deals with speech sounds. In Greek language «phonetikos» means pertaining to voice and sound. Phonetics studies the sound system of a language that is segmental phonemes, word stress, syllabic structure and intonation. Phonetics is the scientific study of sounds used in language: how the sounds are produced, how they are transferred from the speaker to the hearer and how they are heard and perceived. Sounds of the language provide an accessible and general introduction to phonetics with a special emphasis on English.

However, phonetics is obliged to take the content level into consideration too, because at any stage of the analysis, a considerate part of the phonetician’s concern is with the effect which the expression unit he is examining and its different characteristics have on meaning. Only meaningful sound sequences are regarded as speech and the science of phonetics, in principle at least, is concerned with such sounds produced by a human vocal apparatus as are, or may be carries of organized information of a language.

Human speech is the result of highly complicated series of events. The formation of the concept takes place at the linguistic level that is in the brain of the speaker: this stage may be called psychological. The message formed within the brain is transmitted along the nervous system to the speech organs. Therefore we may say the human brain controls the behavior of the articulating organs which effect in producing a particular pattern of speech sounds.

The speech sounds of a language, which constitute all its morphemes and words, are instances, manifestations or realizations of its segmental phonemes.

The phoneme is the unity of three aspects: functional, material and abstract. The phoneme performs a distinctive function. The opposition of phonemes in the same phonetic environment differentiates the meaning of morphemes, words and even utterances. Phoneme is realized in speech in the form of speech sounds and its allophones. Allophones of the same phoneme possess similar articulatory features. The difference between the allophones is predictable and is the result of the influence of the neighboring sounds. The actually pronounced speech sounds are modified by phonostylistic, dialectical and individual factors.

Native speakers abstract themselves from the difference between the allophones of the same phoneme because it has no functional value but they have a generalized idea of a complex of distinctive features which cannot be changed without the change of meaning. This functionally relevant bundle of articulatory features is called the invariant of the phoneme.

The founder of the phoneme theory was the Russian-polish scientist I.A. Baudoin de Courtenay. He did a lot in the study of phonemic alternations and was the first linguist who demanded accurate distinction between synchronic and diachronic approach to the investigation of the phoneme.

As we probably know from the course of general linguistics there exist different opinions on the point of the definition of the phoneme.

The truly materialistic view of the phoneme was originated by famous linguist L.V. Shcherba. According to L.V. Shcherba the phoneme may be viewed as a functional, material and abstract unit [1]. These three aspects of the phoneme are concentrated in the definition of the phoneme suggested by V. A. Vassilyev who looks upon the phoneme as a dialectical unity of these three aspects because they determine one another and are thus independent [2].

Quite different is the opinion of another linguist Bloch who defined the phoneme as a class of phonemically similar sounds contrasting and mutually exclusive with all similar classes in the language [3]. According to Jacobson phoneme is a minimal sound by which meaning may be discriminated [3].

As we have seen, the definition of the phoneme varies greatly. This phonetic phenomenon is still the object of linguistic interest and thus causes a great number of phonetic investigation and analysis.

So, the topicality of the phoneme investigation and different opinions of its definition and phonemic status serves as the main reason for the choice of the theme of our work: «Phoneme as a language unit».

The aim of our investigation is to analyze a complex nature of the phoneme as a phonetic phenomenon of English language

According to the aim of our investigation we have formulated the following objectives:

• to study a complex nature of the phoneme from the point of three aspects;

• to investigate characteristic features of the phoneme and its allophones;

• to analyze functions of the phoneme;

• to reveal differences in the articulation basis of English, Russian and Kazakh

Object: Phoneme as a language unit

Subject: Characteristic features of English phonemes

Hypothesis: we suppose that a detailed study of the phoneme and its different allophones, its features and functions in speech will provide learners with some ways and knowledge of the phonetic analysis and thus make the process of learning English pronunciation more effective.

Methods of investigation: in the course of our research we have used methods of description and comparative analysis.

Theoretical value of our investigation: significant points of our work can be developed and serve as a subject matter for further project and scientific works on the point of theoretical phonetics.

Practical value of the work: the results of the phonetic analysis of phonemes in the system of vowels and consonants may be used at the practical lessons of studying the phonetic structure of English language.

Basis of scientific investigation: our investigation has been carried out on the material of scientific works of such famous linguists as L.A. Shcherba, V.A. Vassilyev, Bloch and others whose contribution to the study oh phoneme is of special scientific importance.

The diploma paper consists of the following parts: introduction, main chapters, conclusion, bibliography and appendix.

Scientific apparatus is presented in introduction which includes the topicality of the research, its aim, object and subject.

The theoretical part contains the study and descriptive analysis of the phoneme, its nature and use in speech, its functions in the phonetic system from the point of different phoneticians and linguists. Practical part of the work is represented by the comparative analysis of differences of the articulation basis of English, Kazakh and Russian. It also includes practical tasks on teaching pronunciation and learning a system of English vowel and consonant phonemes.

In conclusion we outline and sum up the results of our investigation.

Bibliography includes a list of literary sources used in the process of the research which is followed by appendix.