Speaking and Pronunciation Flashcards

Which of the following best describes 'hypercorrection' in pronunciation?

Answer: Using an overly formal pronunciation rule incorrectly in an attempt to sound correct

Hypercorrection occurs when speakers over-apply a perceived rule, such as saying 'between you and I' instead of 'between you and me.'

In the IPA, the symbol /ə/ represents:

Answer: The schwa, an unstressed mid-central vowel

The schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel in English, appearing in unstressed syllables such as the 'a' in 'about.'

What speaking technique involves deliberately slowing down and clearly articulating sounds to aid listener comprehension?

Answer: Enunciation

Enunciation means speaking each sound clearly and distinctly, which is especially useful in noisy environments or formal presentations.

When a speaker's voice trails off at the end of statements, it typically signals:

Answer: Completion of a thought or declarative statement

A falling intonation pattern at the end of a sentence typically signals that the speaker has finished a declarative statement.

The process of one sound becoming more like a neighboring sound is called:

Answer: Assimilation

Assimilation occurs when a sound takes on features of an adjacent sound, such as 'ten boys' sounding like 'tem boys' due to the following /b/.

Which factor most directly affects a speaker's accent in a second language?

Answer: Phonological transfer from their first language

Phonological transfer occurs when the sound system of a speaker's native language influences how they produce sounds in a second language.

A 'thought group' in spoken English refers to:

Answer: A cluster of words spoken together as a single unit of meaning, separated by brief pauses

Thought groups are meaningful chunks of speech bounded by pauses, helping listeners parse meaning in real time.