m
ə
onophthongc entral
mid (broad variant)
unrounded
Very short
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“a” |
[ə] |
In the pre-stressed and post-stressed syllables |
About, data |
|
“a” |
[-], [ə] |
In the final unstressed syllables before “l” |
Metal, central |
|
“a” |
[ə], [-] |
In the post-stressed syllables before “r” |
Secretary |
|
“e” |
[ə], [-] |
In the post-stressed syllables before “r” |
Conference |
|
“o” |
[ə] |
In the pre-stressed and unstressed syllables |
Correct, pilot |
|
“u” |
[ə] |
In the pre-stressed closed syllable |
Until |
|
“u” |
[ə] |
In the post-stressed closed syllable |
Difficult |
|
“ar” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Radar |
|
“er” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Teacher |
|
“eur” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Grandeur |
|
“ir” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Elixir |
|
“or” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Doctor |
|
“yr” |
[ə] |
In the final position |
Martyr |
|
“ou” |
[ə] |
In the post-stressed position before consonant |
Endeavourer, famous |
|
“ur” |
[ə:], [ə] |
In the pre-stressed and final position |
Surrey, suburb |
|
Comparison with the Russian Unstressed Vowels. The English non-fined [ə] is very near to the Russian unstressed vowel in the unstressed syllable following the stressed one, cf mineral — сделано. The English final [ə] is the nearest to the Russian final unstressed vowel [a], cf карта — carter.
əυ
c entral
mid (narrow variant)
unrounded
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“o” |
[əυ] |
At the end of the word |
Also, zero |
|
“o” |
[əυ] |
In the open syllable |
No, note, notice |
[u:] do, move [ɔ] gone, body, comet, solid |
“o” |
[əυ] |
Before “l” + consonant |
Old, told, folk, voltage |
|
“o” |
[əυ] |
Before “st” |
Most, post |
[ɔ] Cost, frost, lost |
“oa” |
[əυ] |
|
Boat, coast, float |
[ɔ:] broad |
“ou” |
[əυ] |
Before “l” |
Poultry, shoulder, soul |
|
“ow” |
[əυ] |
At the end of the word |
Crow, low, show |
[αu] now, allow |
Comparison with the Russian Sound Combination [oy]. The Russian sound [o] is much more back than the nucleus of the English diphthong [зυ], it is pronounced with the rounded and protruded lips. The nucleus of the English diphthong is central but not back. The glide is very weak, the lips are neutral, cf show—шоу.
m
υ
onophthongb ack-advanced
open (broad variant)
rounded
short
Letter or letter combination |
Sound |
Position in the word or conditions of pronouncing |
Examples |
Exceptions |
“u” |
[υ] |
In the post-stressed closed syllable |
Useful, input |
|
“oo” |
[υ] |
Before “k” |
Book, look |
|
“u” |
[υ] |
In the closed syllable of some words after “b, f, p” |
Bullet, bush, full, pull, push, put |
|
“o” |
[υ] |
|
Wolf, woman |
|
“ou” |
[υ] |
|
Would, could |
|
Comparison with the Russian Vowel [y]. The Russian vowel [y] is closer, more retracted and generally longer than the English Vowel [υ]. It is pronounced with the lips not only well rounded but also protruded.
ЛІТЕРАТУРА:
Практическая фонетика английского языка: Учеб. для студ. высш учеб.заведений.-М.:Гу манит.изд.центр ВЛАДОС, 2001-384С.:ил
