Linking [r]

When a word ending in [ə], [a:], [o:] or [3:] is immediately followed by a word beginning with a vowel, the sound [r] is very often inserted at teh end of it, jpining it to the next word. When the ordinary spelling of the word ends in the letter r (or − ‘re’ as in are, more), the inserted r-sound is called a linking [r]. When there is no written r in spelling, the inserted r-sound is called instructive (e.g. the idea [r] of it). Learners of English are generally not recommended to use instructive [r], while the linking [r] is recognized as a typical feature of English Standard Pronunciation.

e.g.: never again [‘nevər ə’gein]

Elision in Consonant Clusters

Elision of [t, d, h]

Elision means the dropping of a sound or sounds, either within a word or at a junction of words in rapid colloquial speech. Formal speech tends to retain full form under the influence of spelling.

A group of consonants may be reduced by an elision. In particular. We find the elision of “t” or “d” b/w 2 other consonants.

e.g.: friends [frenz], mostly [mousli]

Pronouns with the initial [h] and the auxiliaries “have, has, had” commonly lose [h] when they are unstressed within an utterance. [h] is pronounced in those words when they are initial in an utterance or when they are stressed

e.g.: the people have gone [Әə ‘pi:pl əv ‘gΛn]

Clusters of two identical consonants

It must be rememebered that elisions of consonants are not always permissible. In general, a double consonant at a word junction must not be reduced by elision.

e.g.: what time? [‘wot ‘taim]

with this [‘wiӘ ‘Әis]

In any such phrases, the two consonants should be run together smoothly without a break.

The elision of one of a boundary cluster of two consonants sometimes occurs in very rapid speech, but it is usually characterized as vulgarism.

e.g.: he went away [hi ‘wen ə’wei]

I want to come [ai ‘won ə ‘ kΛm]

Give me a cake [‘gi mi ə ‘ keik]

Note the traditional orthographical rendering of such careless and vulgar pronunciation as “I wonna come, gimme a cake, I gonna do it”, etc., especially in American texts.

Reduction of Functional Words in English

An important feature of English pronunciation is the weakening and reduction of functional words in an unstressed position in an utterance. If such words are pronounced with their full forms when unstressed there is a serious loss of understanding for the English listener. The list of functional words that are generally unstressed in speech includes articles, prepositions, some pronouns, auxiliary and modal.

Words always weak in an unstressed position

According to their pronunciation in an unstressed position it is possible to divide them into three groups. The first group includes functional words that are never used in their strong form in an unstressed position in the utterance:

Word strong form weak form

the Әi: Әi˙ (before a vowel) Әə (before a consonant)

a ei ə

an æn ən

and ænd ənd

but bΛt bət

than Әæn Әən

that (not demonstrative) Әæt Әət

us Λs əs

them Әem Әəm

there (indefinite pronoun) Әεə(r) Әə(r)

there (adverb) Әεə(r) −

Note: The strong form of these words is used when the word is said in isolation os emphasis.

Words which may be both weak and strong in an unstressed position

The second group includes auxiliary and modal verbs and prepositions which are reduced when unstressed at the beginning or in the middle of an utterance, but retain their strong form when they occur at the end of an utterance.

Word strong form weak form

am æm əm

is iz z,s

are a:(r) ə(r)

was woz wəz

were wə:(r) wə(r)

will wil əl, l

would wud əd, d

shall ∫æl l

should ∫ud ∫əd, ∫d, d

have hæv əv, v

has hæz əz, z

had hæd əd, d

do du: du’ (before a vowel), də (before a consonant) d (before j)

does dΛz dəz

must mΛst məst

can kæn kən

could kud kəd

some (partitive) sΛm səm

as æz əz

at æt ət

from from frəm

of ov əv

to tu: tu’ (before a vowel or finally) tə (before a consonant)

Words always strong in an unstressed position

They do not have their weak forms

Do, does, have has, had − as main words; when, then, on ,off, in, is ,will, that (demonstrative pronoun); some (indefinite pronoun)