Articulation bases of english
The summary of all main principles of articulation in a certain language is called the Articulation Basis of English.
The main points of difference between the articulation basis of English and Ukrainian / Russian are as follows.
The tongue in English is more tense and bulky and has a retracted position for most of the phonemes.
The lips are also tenser and less movable than in Ukrainian. They are mostly spread or neutral.
Forelingual English consonants have an apical articulation: they are articulated with the tongue tip against the alveoli, as /t, d, s, z, t∫,d∫ /, or against the teeth / θ, ð /. The corresponding Ukrainian ones are articulated with the blade of the tongue (the tip is lowered), against the teeth (dorsal articulation).
All English consonants are hard (except for / ∫, ¿ /) and have no palatalization. Palatalization in English is a phonetic mistake.
The English word final voiced consonants must not be devocalised, as they are weak (bag, sad). The English word final voiceless consonants are strong (night, weak, tape).
The English plosive voiceless / p, t, k / are pronounced with aspiration which is foreign for Ukrainians (Kate, take, a plate).
The English sonorants /m, n, l/ are tenser and longer than the corresponding Ukrainian ones and they are syllabic when post-tonic and preceded by a consonant /'e²-bl, 'l²-tl, 'p¦-zl/.
English vowels are grouped not only according to the quality but also according to their quantity into long and short.
Some vowels /i:, u: and diphthongs/ are characterized by a gliding articulation from one vowel element to another while in Ukrainian and Russian no diphthongs could be found.
There are back open vowels in English while in Ukrainian and Russian low position of the tongue is associated only with central vowel.