Spoken Language Essay

Linguistics is the scientific study of language specifically language form, language meaning and language on context (M André, 1960). The different branches of linguistics are: 3.1 Phonology

Oxford dictionary defines phonology as the study of sound patterns that occur within and across the language. It studies the rules governing the structure, distribution and sequencing of speech sounds and the shapes of the syllables (University of North California, 2011). Spoken language makes use of a wide range of articulation and organs available in the human body. The use of organs like lungs, larynx, palates, tongue, lips and nose are important in the production of speech. If one lacks one or more of these organs important, the pronunciation of words

The sounds can be categorised as voiced and voiceless. A voiced sound is one where the vocal cords vibrate the voiceless sound is one where there is no vibration in the vocal cords. A typical example will the /p/ and the /b/ sound. The /p/ sound like in pit is said to be voiceless as the sound is made by the action of the lips brought together and the tongue remaining still with no vibration in the vocal cords. Where in the word bit, the /b/ sound is said to be voiced as the pronunciation of the word cause a vibration the vocal cords. Same principles apply for the sound /f/ in fat (voiceless) and /v/ in vat (voiced). Some of the different consonants sounds can be classified as

As phonology deals in areas of stress, rhythm and intonation of words and sounds, the understanding of same will enable to communicate and understand English correctly. The sounds and the pronunciation can have direct effects on meaning, question formation, understanding of the English language and if not done correctly may mislead the listeners. Having good knowledge of the different aspect of sounds applicable to consonants, vowels and diphthongs will make one’s speech clearer, easily understood and therefore more effective