English Phonetics and Phonology - Week 5: Consonant Contrasts

Introduction: Hello everyone and welcome to the Week 5 of the course English Phonetics and Pholology for the Bachelor's in English Teaching at ULACIT term IIIC 2023. This week we will finish our study of the English consonant system by comparing and contrasting similar consonant pairings. Follow your professor's instructions to complete the tasks below.

Today's Goals: 

• Analyze the eight consonant pairings and explain how they are similar and different.
• Identify the 24 English consonant phonemes in an English text.
• Identify and correct errors in a phonetic transcription. 

Guiding Questions: 

• How can consonant sounds be grouped and contrasted?
• How do I feel about my understanding of the English consonant system?
• Can I recognize the IPA symbols of all the consonant sounds in English?

Task 1: /fəˈnɛtɪk joʊks/

Click the link below and match the jokes with their punchlines. 

• Group Link: CLICK HERE

Task 2: /ˈkɑnsənənt ˈkɑntræsts/

The 24 English consonant phonemes are articulated in 5 manners and 10 places of articulation. As you have seen, this information can be overwelming at first but you soon realize that there is a logic to this system of categorization that can help you remember the sounds. Although there are 24 individual sounds, 16 of them occur in pairs where they are articulated in the same place and manner but with one small difference. Click your group link below and complete the exercises.

• Group 1:  CLICK HERE

Task 3: /lɛts tʃɛk joʊr hoʊmwɚk/

Open you homework assignment and let's take a look at it together!