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[mʌɪskɪnɪzsʌmbə:nt]. Another example, the sound [k] in speak which is voiceless is followed by [s] which is also voiceless in a phrase such as “The man speaks
slowly” [ ðə mæn spi:ks slowlɪ], whereas the sound [g] in beg which is voiced is followed by [z] which is also voiced in the sentence such as “He begs her to
forgive him” [hɪ begz ər tə fɔrgɪv əm]. Another case of assimilation is detected in the pronunciation of the following
pairs of words. According to Finegan 2004: 116, the vowels of the words on the left column are shorter in duration than those on the right. If one looks past
the spelling, one will notice that each word on the left column ends in a voiceless consonant,whereas each word on the right column ends in a voiced consonant.
Thus, English lengthens vowels which precede voiced consonants. Examples:
cap cab
cat cad
back bag
cot cod
2.1.7.2 Aspiration
Aspiration is articulation of a sound that is accompanied by a small emission of air, in a small explosion Finegan, 2004: 112. A little differently, Ladefoged
1993 formulates aspiration as “a period of voicelessness after the release of an articulation as in “pie” [p
h
aɪ]. Voiceless stops t, p, k are aspirated when they are in the initial syllable, in words such as time, pot, cat, but p, t, k are unaspirated
in medial position after an s in words like spew, stew, skip.
2.1.7.3 Deletion
According to Reima Al-Jarf 1989, a sound might be eliminated to facilitate articulation. For example, friendship becomes [frenʃɪp]. This is also applicable in
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other words such as “aspects [æspeks], he must be [hɪmʌsbɪ], grandpa [græmpa], postman [pousman], west cliff [wesklif], and handsome [hænsəm].
2.1.7.4 Insertion or Epenthesis
Insertion or epenthesis, Reima 1989 explains, is a phonological process in which a certain sound is inserted in order to facilitate pronunciation. The
phonologist points to the sentence “I am e tired” as an example. In practice, the sentence is pronounced as [ʌɪmət
h
ɑɪəd]. A sudden transition from [m] which is bilabial to [t] which is alveolar seems rather difficult. Thus, the [ə] is inserted for
easier pronunciation.
2.1.7.5 Phonotactic Rules
Speakers of a language have an implicit knowledge of which are the combination of sounds that are allowed or are frequent in their language. In
English, Finegan 2004 explains, having several consonant sounds together is fairly normal. For example: r + k + t as in worked. This pattern will have a very
direct influence on an L2 student learning English. In English, the linguist argues, consonant +consonant CC combinations in
initial position are very normal. To these possibilities, one has to add the fact of having an [s] as the first consonant and a plosive as the second only voiceless -p,
t, k-, not voiced b, d , g. For examples, St + vocal as in stress, stand. Sk + vocal as in squint, skull.
2.1.7.6 English Stress
According to Reima 1989, English has the following stress rules: 1.
The great majority of two-syllable words are stressed on the first syllable, e.g.,‘never, ‘breakfast, ‘Monday.
