READING WEEK 3: THE SOUNDS OF LANGUAGE

Understanding Speech Sounds

Human beings have a special ability to produce different sounds while speaking. Our
vocal tract and the muscles in and around our mouth allow us to create a variety of sounds.
However, when we talk, we do not use random sounds. Instead, we select specific sounds that
help us communicate meaningfully. To study these sounds, we need to slow down and analyze
individual parts of speech. This process is not simple, but it helps us understand how sounds are
used in language.

Phonetics and the IPA

The study of speech sounds is called phonetics. There are three main areas of phonetics:
articulatory phonetics, which focuses on how sounds are made; acoustic phonetics, which studies
the physical properties of sound waves; and auditory phonetics, which examines how we hear
sounds. Linguists use a special system called the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to
represent these sounds. The IPA provides symbols for each sound in English and other
languages. This system makes it easier to study pronunciation and understand how speech is
formed.

Voiced and Voiceless Sounds

When we produce sounds, air moves from our lungs through the vocal cords. If the vocal
cords vibrate, the sound is called a voiced sound. Examples of voiced sounds include [z] and [v].
If the vocal cords do not vibrate, the sound is voiceless, like [s] and [f]. You can feel this
difference by placing your hand on your throat while saying these sounds. Voiced sounds create
a vibration, while voiceless sounds do not.

Place of Articulation

The place of articulation refers to where the sound is made. For example, bilabial sounds,
like [p] and [b], are made using both lips. Labiodental sounds, like [f] and [v], involve the upper
teeth and lower lip. Alveolar sounds, like [t] and [d], use the tongue and the area behind the
upper front teeth. Each consonant sound is produced in a specific location in the mouth, which
affects how it sounds.

Familiar and Unfamiliar Symbols

Some IPA symbols are easy to recognize, like [p] for "pop" and [b] for "bob." Others,
like [θ] and [ð], represent the "th" sounds in "thin" and "this." These sounds are called dental
sounds because they involve the tongue and teeth. Other special symbols include [ʃ] for the "sh"
sound in "shoe" and [ʧ] for "ch" in "child." Understanding these symbols helps learners
pronounce words more accurately.

Manner of Articulation
 Sounds are also classified by how they are produced. Stop consonants, like [p] and [t], are
made by briefly blocking the airflow and then releasing it. Fricatives, like [s] and [f], allow air to
pass through a narrow space, creating friction. Some sounds, like [l] and [r], are called
approximants because they are produced with less obstruction in the mouth. Each type of sound
has unique characteristics that help differentiate words in speech.

Vowels and Diphthongs

Unlike consonants, vowel sounds are made without blocking the airflow. Vowels are
classified based on tongue position. For example, [i] in "heat" is a high front vowel, while [ɑ] in
"hot" is a low back vowel. Some vowel sounds change position while being pronounced. These
are called diphthongs, such as [aɪ] in "hi" and [aʊ] in "how." Diphthongs create smooth
transitions between vowel sounds and add variety to speech.

Pronunciation Differences

English pronunciation varies across regions. In American English, the vowel in "bait" is
often pronounced as a diphthong [eɪ], while in British English, it may be a single vowel [e].
Some English speakers pronounce "butter" with a sound called a flap [ɾ], making it sound like
"budder." These variations help distinguish accents and influence how English is spoken
worldwide.

By understanding phonetics, we can improve our pronunciation and communication

skills. Learning about voiced and voiceless sounds, places of articulation, and IPA symbols can
help language learners speak more clearly and confidently.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Theo đoạn văn, cơ quan phát âm của con người có đặc điểm gì?
Answer: It allows humans to produce a wide range of sounds with great speed.
2. Tại sao Bảng chữ cái ngữ âm quốc tế (IPA) lại quan trọng?
Answer: It helps represent the sounds of different languages systematically.

3. Làm thế nào để một người có thể cảm nhận sự khác biệt giữa âm hữu thanh và vô thanh?
Answer: By placing a fingertip on their throat while pronouncing different sounds.

4. Ba đặc điểm nào được sử dụng để mô tả phụ âm?

Answer: Voiced/voiceless distinction, place of articulation, and manner of articulation.

5. Diphthong là gì?
Answer: A combination of two vowel sounds in a single syllable.

6. Trọng tâm chính của ngữ âm học cấu âm (articulatory phonetics) là gì?
Answer: The study of how speech sounds are physically produced.
 7. Đoạn văn mô tả việc tạo ra phụ âm như thế nào?
Answer: By the movement of air through different parts of the mouth and vocal tract.

8. Đoạn văn nói gì về chức năng của dây thanh âm?

Answer: They vibrate to produce voiced sounds and remain open for voiceless sounds.

9. Lưỡi đóng vai trò gì trong việc tạo ra âm thanh lời nói?
Answer: It helps create different sounds by touching various parts of the mouth.

10. Tại sao việc hiểu rõ vị trí và cách thức cấu âm lại quan trọng?
Answer: It helps in correctly identifying and producing speech sounds.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What is phonetics?

a) The study of grammar

b) The study of speech sounds
c) The study of sentence structure
d) The study of written language
Answer: b

2. Which of the following is NOT a major area of phonetics?

a) Articulatory phonetics
b) Auditory phonetics
c) Acoustic phonetics
d) Literary phonetics
Answer: d

3. What is the primary function of the vocal folds?

a) To filter air
b) To create sound
c) To produce saliva
d) To help with digestion
Answer: b

4. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is used to represent:

a) Sentence structure
b) Speech sounds
c) Writing styles
 d) Grammar rules
Answer: b

5. Voiced sounds are produced when:

a) The vocal folds are open

b) The vocal folds vibrate
c) The tongue touches the lips
d) Air is completely blocked
Answer: b

6. Which of the following is a voiceless sound?

a) [b]
b) [d]
c) [p]
d) [g]
Answer: c

7. The alveolar ridge is located:

a) Behind the upper front teeth

b) At the back of the mouth
c) Under the tongue
d) On the roof of the mouth
Answer: a

8. Which of these is a bilabial sound?

a) [t]
b) [k]
c) [p]
d) [s]
Answer: c

9. What is the study of how speech sounds are made called?

a) Acoustic phonetics
b) Auditory phonetics
c) Articulatory phonetics
d) Literary phonetics
Answer: c

10. Which of the following words contains a diphthong?

 a) Hat
b) Heat
c) Hi
d) Hot
Answer: c

11. Which of these is a labiodental sound?

a) [t]
b) [f]
c) [k]
d) [n]
Answer: b

12. The word "judge" contains which consonant sound?

a) [ʒ]
b) [ʃ]
c) [ʤ]
d) [θ]
Answer: c

13. The word "shoe" contains which consonant sound?

a) [ʃ]
b) [ʤ]
c) [θ]
d) [ð]
Answer: a

14. What is a voiced alveolar sound?

a) [t]
b) [s]
c) [d]
d) [k]
Answer: c

15. The IPA symbol [ŋ] is found in which word?

a) Night
b) Ring
c) Write
d) Thin
Answer: b
16. The phonetic symbol [ð] represents the sound in which word?

a) This
b) Thin
c) Think
d) Three
Answer: a

17. Which part of the vocal tract is used for velar sounds?

a) Lips
b) Teeth
c) Soft palate (velum)
d) Tongue tip
Answer: c

18. The sound [tʃ] is found in which word?

a) Cat
b) Chair
c) Go
d) Moon
Answer: b

19. The word "photo" begins with which sound?

a) [p]
b) [f]
c) [v]
d) [θ]
Answer: b

20. Which of the following sounds is a nasal consonant?

a) [b]
b) [d]
c) [m]
d) [v]
Answer: c

21. The sound [s] is classified as:

a) A stop
b) A fricative
c) A nasal
 d) An approximant
Answer: b

22. What is the primary characteristic of a stop consonant?

a) Complete blockage of airflow

b) Friction in the vocal tract
c) Nasal resonance
d) Smooth airflow with no obstruction
Answer: a

23. Which of these sounds is a voiced fricative?

a) [s]
b) [z]
c) [p]
d) [t]
Answer: b

24. The word "measure" contains which sound?

a) [ʒ]
b) [ʃ]
c) [tʃ]
d) [dʒ]
Answer: a

25. The word "yet" begins with which IPA symbol?

a) [j]
b) [y]
c) [ɪ]
d) [e]
Answer: a

26. The sound [w] is classified as:

a) A nasal
b) A stop
c) A glide
d) A fricative
Answer: c

27. Which of these is a high front vowel?

 a) [u]
b) [a]
c) [i]
d) [o]
Answer: c

28. The IPA symbol [ʔ] represents which sound?

a) A glottal stop
b) A nasal
c) A fricative
d) A vowel
Answer: a

29. The primary function of vowels in speech is:

a) To create obstruction
b) To provide a continuous airflow
c) To stop airflow completely
d) To create friction
Answer: b

30. The word "boy" contains which diphthong?

a) [aɪ]
b) [eɪ]
c) [ɔɪ]
d) [aʊ]
Answer: c

Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises

1. The study of speech sounds is called _______. (Answer: phonetics)

2. The IPA symbol [θ] represents the sound in the word _______. (Answer: thin)

3. A _______ is a sound that combines two vowel sounds. (Answer: diphthong)

4. The vocal cords vibrate when producing _______ sounds. (Answer: voiced)

5. The place where a sound is produced in the mouth is called the _______ of articulation.
(Answer: place)

6. The word "judge" contains the consonant sound _______. (Answer: [ʤ])

7. The word "shoe" contains the consonant sound _______. (Answer: [ʃ])
8. The word "ring" ends with the sound _______. (Answer: [ŋ])

9. The sound [ʧ] is found in the word _______. (Answer: church)

10. The sound [ð] is found in the word _______. (Answer: this)

11. The sound [f] is classified as a _______ consonant. (Answer: fricative)

12. The tongue is used to produce _______ sounds like [t] and [d]. (Answer: alveolar)

13. The study of how sounds are physically produced is called _______ phonetics. (Answer:
articulatory)

14. The IPA symbol for the sound in "measure" is _______. (Answer: [ʒ])

15. The sound [m] is classified as a _______ consonant. (Answer: nasal)

16. The word "photo" starts with the _______ sound. (Answer: [f])

17. The word "cat" ends with the _______ sound. (Answer: [t])

18. The word "yellow" begins with the _______ sound. (Answer: [j])

19. The term for a speech sound unit that distinguishes meaning is _______. (Answer:
phoneme)

20. The IPA symbol [h] represents the sound in the word _______. (Answer: hat)

21. The sound [b] is a _______ consonant. (Answer: bilabial)

22. The term for a combination of a stop and a fricative sound is _______. (Answer:
affricate)

23. The IPA symbol [ɹ] represents the _______ sound. (Answer: r)

24. The word "knight" starts with a _______ sound. (Answer: silent)

25. The IPA symbol [ʔ] represents the _______. (Answer: glottal stop)

26. The sound [dʒ] is found in the word _______. (Answer: jam)

27. The IPA symbol for the vowel sound in "boot" is _______. (Answer: [u])

28. The word "sing" contains a _______ nasal. (Answer: velar)

29. The word "lamp" contains a _______ consonant. (Answer: lateral)

 30. The sound [eɪ] is found in the word _______. (Answer: face)

31. The word "think" begins with a _______ sound. (Answer: voiceless)

32. The word "zebra" begins with a _______ sound. (Answer: voiced)

33. The word "chocolate" contains an _______ sound. (Answer: affricate)

34. The IPA symbol [ɔɪ] represents the vowel sound in the word _______. (Answer: boy)

35. The sound [ʃ] is found in the word _______. (Answer: ship)

36. The term for a sound that is produced with air passing through the nose is _______.
(Answer: nasal)

37. The word "apple" starts with the vowel sound _______. (Answer: [æ])

38. The IPA symbol [t] represents the sound in the word _______. (Answer: tea)

39. The sound [v] is found in the word _______. (Answer: van)

40. The term for the pitch variation in speech is called _______. (Answer: intonation)

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What does the passage say about the human vocal tract?
Answer: It allows humans to produce a wide range of sounds with great speed.
2. Why is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) important?
Answer: It helps represent the sounds of different languages systematically.

3. How can someone feel the difference between voiced and voiceless sounds?
Answer: By placing a fingertip on their throat while pronouncing different sounds.

4. What are the three features used to describe consonants?

Answer: Voiced/voiceless distinction, place of articulation, and manner of articulation.

5. What is a diphthong?
Answer: A combination of two vowel sounds in a single syllable.

6. What is the main focus of articulatory phonetics?

Answer: The study of how speech sounds are physically produced.

7. How does the passage describe the production of consonants?

Answer: By the movement of air through different parts of the mouth and vocal tract.
 8. What does the passage say about the function of the vocal folds?
Answer: They vibrate to produce voiced sounds and remain open for voiceless sounds.

9. What role does the tongue play in speech sound production?

Answer: It helps create different sounds by touching various parts of the mouth.

10. Why is it important to understand place and manner of articulation?

Answer: It helps in correctly identifying and producing speech sounds.

Dưới đây là bản dịch sang tiếng Việt của 10 câu hỏi và đáp án cậu yêu cầu:

1. Đoạn văn nói gì về bộ máy phát âm của con người?

Trả lời: Nó giúp con người tạo ra nhiều âm thanh đa dạng với tốc độ cao.
2. Tại sao Bảng mẫu tự ngữ âm quốc tế (IPA) lại quan trọng?
Trả lời: Nó giúp thể hiện các âm thanh của những ngôn ngữ khác nhau một cách có hệ
thống.
3. Làm thế nào để cảm nhận sự khác biệt giữa âm hữu thanh và âm vô thanh?
Trả lời: Bằng cách đặt đầu ngón tay lên cổ họng khi phát âm các âm thanh khác nhau.
4. Ba đặc điểm được sử dụng để mô tả các phụ âm là gì?
Trả lời: Sự phân biệt hữu thanh/vô thanh, vị trí cấu âm và phương thức cấu âm.
5. Nguyên âm đôi (diphthong) là gì?
Trả lời: Là sự kết hợp của hai nguyên âm trong cùng một âm tiết.
6. Trọng tâm chính của ngữ âm học cấu âm là gì?
Trả lời: Nghiên cứu cách các âm thanh trong lời nói được tạo ra về mặt vật lý.
7. Đoạn văn mô tả việc tạo ra phụ âm như thế nào?
Trả lời: Qua sự chuyển động của luồng không khí đi qua các bộ phận khác nhau trong
miệng và bộ máy phát âm.
8. Đoạn văn nói gì về chức năng của dây thanh quản?
Trả lời: Chúng rung để tạo ra các âm hữu thanh và mở rộng khi phát ra các âm vô thanh.
9. Lưỡi có vai trò gì trong việc tạo ra âm thanh lời nói?
Trả lời: Nó giúp tạo ra các âm thanh khác nhau bằng cách chạm vào các phần khác nhau
trong miệng.
10. Vì sao hiểu rõ vị trí và phương thức cấu âm là điều quan trọng?
Trả lời: Nó giúp nhận biết và phát âm chính xác các âm thanh trong lời nói.

Câu hỏi trong sách: 1-9

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Những khía cạnh khác nhau của ngôn ngữ được nghiên cứu trong ngữ âm học cấu âm,
ngữ âm học âm học và ngữ âm học thính giác là gì?
Answer: Articulatory phonetics studies how speech sounds are produced, acoustic
phonetics examines the physical properties of sound waves, and auditory phonetics
focuses on how speech sounds are perceived by the ear.
2. Khoảng trống giữa dây thanh âm được gọi là gì?
Answer: The glottis.

3. Làm thế nào để phiên âm âm cuối trong từ tiếng Anh “tongue”?

Answer: [ŋ]

4. Từ nào trong số này bắt đầu bằng âm thanh glottal trong cách phát âm bình thường?
Answer: who

5. Trong cách phát âm của "mechanic" có bao nhiêu âm xát (fricatives)?

Answer: One ([k] is a stop, [m] and [n] are nasals, [h] is the only fricative).

6. Làm thế nào để mô tả nguyên âm trong cách phát âm bình thường của "hot"?
Answer: It is a low back vowel.

7. Trong lời nói thông thường, âm nguyên âm phổ biến nhất là gì?
Answer: The schwa [ə].

8. Trong IPA (IPA Handbook), thuật ngữ nào được sử dụng cho cả âm lỏng (liquids) và âm
lướt/đệm (glides)?
Answer: Approximants.

9. Phiên âm nào là đại diện tốt nhất cho cách phát âm tiếng Anh Mỹ của từ "pure"? (a)
[purə] (b) [puə] (c) [pjʊə] (d) [pjʊr]
Answer: (d) [pjʊr].

10. Con người tạo ra âm thanh khi nói nhờ vào điều gì? How do humans produce sounds
when speaking? Answer: Humans produce sounds using the vocal tract and muscles
around the mouth.
11. IPA là viết tắt của thuật ngữ gì trong ngôn ngữ học? What does IPA stand for in
linguistics? Answer: International Phonetic Alphabet.
12. Phân biệt "voiced sound" và "voiceless sound" dựa vào điều gì? What distinguishes
voiced from voiceless sounds? Answer: The vibration of vocal cords distinguishes voiced
from voiceless sounds.
13. Âm thanh nào sau đây là âm "voiceless"? Which of the following sounds is voiceless: [z],
[f], [v]? Answer: [f].
14. Âm thanh "bilabial" được tạo ra như thế nào? How are bilabial sounds produced?
Answer: By using both lips.
15. Ký hiệu [ʃ] trong IPA đại diện cho âm nào trong tiếng Anh? What sound in English does
the IPA symbol [ʃ] represent? Answer: The "sh" sound as in "shoe."
16. Sự khác biệt chính giữa nguyên âm và phụ âm là gì? What is the main difference between
vowels and consonants? Answer: Vowels are produced without blocking airflow, while
consonants involve blocking or restricting airflow.
17. "Diphthongs" được đặc trưng bởi điều gì? What characterizes diphthongs? Answer: They
involve a smooth transition between two vowel sounds.
18. Đặc điểm nào tạo nên sự khác biệt trong cách phát âm của tiếng Anh giữa các vùng
miền? What feature creates pronunciation differences across regions in English? Answer:
Variations in vowel sounds and specific consonants like the flap [ɾ].
19. Vì sao việc học IPA hữu ích cho người học ngôn ngữ? Why is learning IPA helpful for
language learners? Answer: It helps learners pronounce words more accurately and
confidently.
20. Con người sử dụng các âm thanh cụ thể thay vì ngẫu nhiên khi nói với mục đích gì? Why
do humans select specific sounds rather than random sounds when speaking? Answer: To
communicate meaningfully.
21. Có mấy lĩnh vực chính của ngữ âm học được đề cập trong đoạn văn? How many main
areas of phonetics are mentioned in the passage? Answer: Three.
22. Điều gì tạo ra sự khác biệt giữa âm hữu thanh và vô thanh? What creates the difference
between voiced and voiceless sounds? Answer: Vibration of the vocal cords.
23. Ký hiệu IPA [θ] và [ð] thể hiện những âm nào trong tiếng Anh? Which English sounds do
the IPA symbols [θ] and [ð] represent? Answer: The "th" sounds in "thin" and "this."
24. Âm "alveolar" được tạo ra ở vị trí nào trong miệng? Where are alveolar sounds produced
in the mouth? Answer: Using the tongue and the area behind the upper front teeth.
25. Loại phụ âm nào được tạo ra bằng cách chặn hoàn toàn luồng không khí rồi thả ra? What
type of consonants are produced by completely blocking airflow and then releasing it?
Answer: Stop consonants.
26. "Diphthong" là gì theo định nghĩa của đoạn văn? What is a diphthong according to the
passage? Answer: A vowel sound that changes position while being pronounced.
27. Điều gì ảnh hưởng tới sự khác biệt về phát âm tiếng Anh giữa các vùng miền? What
affects pronunciation differences in English across regions? Answer: Variations in vowel
sounds and certain consonants like the flap [ɾ].
28. Tại sao việc hiểu các ký hiệu IPA lại hữu ích đối với người học ngôn ngữ? Why is
understanding IPA symbols useful for language learners? Answer: It helps them
pronounce words more accurately.
29. Tại sao việc nghiên cứu âm thanh lời nói lại quan trọng? Why is studying speech sounds
important? Answer: It helps improve pronunciation and communication skills.
30. Âm "fricative" được tạo ra như thế nào? How are fricative sounds produced? Answer: By
allowing air to pass through a narrow space, creating friction.
31. Phụ âm "approximant" có đặc điểm gì đặc biệt? What is special about approximant
consonants? Answer: They are produced with less obstruction in the mouth.
32. Các nguyên âm được phân loại chủ yếu dựa trên điều gì? How are vowels mainly
classified? Answer: Based on tongue position.
33. Nguyên âm nào trong tiếng Anh được coi là nguyên âm "high front vowel"? Which
vowel in English is considered a high front vowel? Answer: [i], as in "heat."
34. Nguyên âm nào được coi là "low back vowel" trong tiếng Anh? Which vowel is
considered a low back vowel in English? Answer: [ɑ], as in "hot."