Question Bank: Phonetics & Phonology (Unit I)
Course Code: A/ENG/305/SEC-3
Topic 1: Phonetics, Scope, Acoustic & Auditory Phonetics
Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)
- Define Phonetics. Discuss in detail the scope and branches of Phonetics with suitable examples. 10
- Distinguish between Articulatory Phonetics, Acoustic Phonetics, and Auditory Phonetics. Which branch is most relevant to a linguist and why? 10
- "Phonetics is the scientific study of speech sounds." — Elucidate this statement highlighting the relationship between Phonetics and Linguistics. 10
- Write a detailed note on the physiological basis of speech. How does the nervous system coordinate with speech organs? 10
- Explain the importance of Acoustic Phonetics. How do frequency, intensity, and duration define the physical properties of sound? 10
- Discuss the scope of Phonetics in the context of modern communication technology and speech therapy. 10
Short Questions (2 Marks)
- Define Phonetics. 2
- What is Articulatory Phonetics? 2
- Define Auditory Phonetics. 2
- What is the main focus of Acoustic Phonetics? 2
- What is a 'phoneme'? 2
- Name two instruments used in Acoustic Phonetics. 2
- What is the difference between Phonetics and Phonology? 2
- Define 'speech chain'. 2
- What is meant by the 'transmission phase' of speech? 2
- Why is the ear important in Auditory Phonetics? 2
Topic 2: Respiratory System, Phonation & Air Stream Mechanisms
Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)
[Image of Human Respiratory System]- Describe the structure and function of the Human Respiratory System in the production of speech sounds. 10
- What is an Air Stream Mechanism? Describe the three major types of air stream mechanisms used in human language. 10
- Explain the Pulmonic Air Stream Mechanism in detail. Why is it considered the most common mechanism for speech production? 10
- Describe the process of Phonation. Discuss the different states of the glottis (Voiceless, Voiced, Whisper, Murmur). 10
- Draw a labeled diagram of the Larynx and explain the function of the vocal cords during speech. 10
- Distinguish between Egressive and Ingressive air streams. Provide examples of sounds produced by non-pulmonic mechanisms. 10
Short Questions (2 Marks)
- What is the function of the diaphragm in speech? 2
- Define 'Pulmonic Egressive Air Stream'. 2
- What is the Glottis? 2
- What are the vocal cords? 2
- What causes a sound to be 'Voiced'? 2
- What is the 'Adam’s Apple'? 2
- Define 'Velaric Air Stream Mechanism'. 2
- What are 'clicks'? 2
- What happens to the vocal cords during a whisper? 2
- What is the role of the trachea? 2
Topic 3: The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)
- What is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)? Discuss the history and purpose of its creation. 10
- "English spelling is not a reliable guide to pronunciation." Discuss this statement with examples and explain how IPA solves this problem. 10
- Describe the layout and organization of the IPA chart. How are consonants and vowels classified within it? 10
- Discuss the concept of 'One sound, one symbol'. How does the IPA achieve a standard representation of sounds across languages? 10
- Explain the importance of Diacritics in the IPA. How do they modify the basic value of a symbol? 10
- Compare and contrast Broad Transcription (Phonemic) and Narrow Transcription (Phonetic). 10
Short Questions (2 Marks)
- Expand IPA. 2
- Who established the IPA? 2
- Write the IPA symbol for the 'sh' sound in 'Ship'. 2
- Write the IPA symbol for the 'ng' sound in 'Sing'. 2
- Why are bracket types [] and // important in transcription? 2
- What is a 'digraph' in orthography? 2
- How many pure vowels are there in RP English? 2
- What is a 'Schwa'? 2
- Give the transcription for the word 'Judge'. 2
- Give the transcription for the word 'Cat'. 2
Topic 4: Accents of English (RP, Indian, American)
Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)
- Define 'Received Pronunciation' (RP). Discuss its social status and its evolution as the standard accent of British English. 10
- Compare and contrast British RP and General American (GA) English with reference to r-coloring (rhoticity) and vowel quality. 10
- Discuss the salient features of Indian English (IE). How does it differ phonologically from British RP? 10
- What is meant by 'Accent'? How does it differ from 'Dialect'? Discuss the factors that contribute to accent variation. 10
- Analyze the concept of 'Retroflexion' in Indian English. How does it affect the pronunciation of plosives? 10
- "English is a global language with many varieties." Discuss the legitimacy of non-native accents like Indian English in the academic world. 10
Short Questions (2 Marks)
- Define 'Accent'. 2
- What does RP stand for? 2
- What is 'General American' (GA)? 2
- What is a 'Rhotic accent'? 2
- Give one example of a vowel difference between RP and GA. 2
- What are retroflex sounds? 2
- What is 'Estuary English'? 2
- How is the /r/ sound treated in RP? 2
- Mention one feature of the Indian English /w/ and /v/ sounds. 2
- What is 'syllable-timed' rhythm (common in Indian English)? 2
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