RHYTHM in Speech
Stress-Timed Rhythm vs Syllable-Timed Rhythm
English Grammar & Use - B1+ Suite
START
Review: RHYTHM in Speech
Stress-Timed Rhythm vs Syllable-Timed Rhythm
<< CLICK HERE
SCHWA 101
CONTENT:
- Stress vs Syllable timed languages
- Vowel Shortening
- The Schwa sound
- Examples of Schwa
- Listening to sentences and understanding
- Audio sentences to model
OUTCOME STATEMENT: After this module you will have some tools to help you understand native speakers more easily.
STUDY TIME: Unlimited QUIZ:
Key
hover over these symbols to read Definitions
LISTEN
= Audio Files
AIM4: SCHWA 101 - page 1 of 3
Welcome to this mini-module about CONNECTED SPEECH & WEAK VOWEL SOUNDS in standard English.
e.g. the auxilliary verb:
HAVE
refers to the natural way words are pronounced together in spoken English. When Native Speakers talk at normal speed:
- many words have a different sound from the 'dictionary' pronunciation
- many words seem to be linked together.
- many words sound shorter than you expect them to be.
Connected speech
click the button to start
Review 1
This happens because native speakers shorten the length of the vowel sounds in many words!!
CONNECTEDSPEECH
What have we learnt so far?
Vowels = A, E, I, O, UVOWEL SHORTENING in English connected speech involves REDUCING VOWELS TO WEAKER, SHORTER SOUNDS, often to a sound known as SCHWA.The Phonetic symbol for schwa is /ə/ and schwa sounds like this: Using schwa instead of other longer vowel sounds makes speech more fluid and natural, but it also makes it more difficult for learners to understand.
- English is a stress-timed language, which means the rhythm of spoken English is based on stressing certain syllables at regular intervals. Unlike some languages where every syllable takes the same amount of time (syllable-timed languages), in English, only the stressed syllables are timed equally, and the unstressed syllables are fitted in between them.
so, what type of words are usually 'shortened', i.e. which words commonly have the weak vowel schwa?
YOU ACTUALLY HEAR:
YOU EXPECT TO HEAR:
Click me to find out
- Connected Speech: In standard native speech, certain words and sounds may link or combine, leading to pronunciations like /dʒə/ for "do you" and /həv/ for "have".
- Strong & Weak Forms: Function words like "do," "are," "have," "can," and "as" often have weak forms in connected speech (e.g., "can" as /kən/ instead of /kæn/).
schwa in FUNCTION words Review the sounds
NEXT
Now, let's put that learning into practice: Listen to how this sentences sound in Standard English, then try to mimic the intonation.
NEXT
AIM4: SCHWA 101 - page 3 of 4
Now, let's practice some questions in these forms: Present Simple & Continuous, Past (S&C), Present Perfect (S&C), Future Simple, i.e. Will. There is also the common 'opinion question'; Do you think 'x' will...?
1. Listen to the audios a few times 2. Audios are at 2 'speeds': The first is 'slow connected speech', the second is 'rapid connected speech' 3. If you hover your mouse over the question, you'll see the meaning in Italian! 4. Tap the audio icons once to START the loop and again to STOP the loop.
This exercise will help you understand better when interlocutors ask you questions. Understanding the question is essential if you want to answer!
Click me for questions with DO as the main verb
Click me for questions with WORK as the main verb
Click me for questions with THINK ABOUT as the main verb
1. What do you think about him?
2. Are you thinking about going on holiday soon?
3. What did you think about yesterday?
4. What were you thinking about when you crashed your car?
5. Have you thought about what I said?
6. Have you been thinking about this for a long time?
7. When will you think about my proposal?
8. Do you think you will be able to think about my proposal soon?
6. What have you been working on today?
7. When will you work on it?
8. Do you think his solution will work?
4. What were you working on when your computer crashed?
5. Has it worked?
1. Where do you work?
2. Are you working tomorrow?
3. Did you work yesterday?
1. What do you do?
2. What are you doing tomorrow?
3. What did you do yesterday?
4. What were you doing at 5am this morning?
5. What have you done!
6. What have you been doing recently?
7. What will you do when you retire?
8. When do you think you'll do the accounts?
This page is password protected
Enter the password
This page is password protected
Enter the password
In spoken English, many function words have both a strong (dictionary) pronunciation and a weak form. The weak form often includes the schwa sound /ə/ & is the most common form in normal native speech.
Modal Verbs
Auxilliary Verbs
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Articles
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Quantifiers
Prepositions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Conjunctions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
In spoken English, many function words have both a strong (dictionary) pronunciation and a weak form. The weak form often includes the schwa sound /ə/ & is the most common form in normal native speech.
Modal Verbs
Auxilliary Verbs
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Articles
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Quantifiers
Prepositions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Conjunctions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
A4 CREATIONS © 2024 by JONATHAN BOYDELL is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Connected Speech In English: rhythm
Foundation Concept: Stress-timed languages (e.g. English) vs Syllable-timed languages (e.g. Italian)
English has a stress-timed rhythm, which means that the time between stressed syllables is roughly equal. Some syllables are stressed (spoken louder and longer), while others are unstressed (spoken softer and shorter). The stressed syllables are found in the most important words of the sentence, i.e. the communicative words. This creates an alternating pattern between stressed (strong) words and unstressed (weak) words where important words stand out, e.g. This alternating STRONG - weak - STRONG pattern is found in every English sentence in normal speech.
- If every word was 'STRONG' it would be the equivalent of ALWAYS USING CAPITALS AND BOLD WHEN WRITING.
- We can do it, but only when we need to for a specific reason. It's not the standard form.
Stress-Timed Rhythm in English
FUNCTION WORDS (unstressed) am - to the
COMMUNICATIVE WORDS (stressed) I - GOING - SHOPS
One important feature of Stress-Timed Language is:
Syllable-Timed Languages
In stress-timed languages you can add extra unstressed words without making the sentence much longer to say!
In contrast, many other languages, e.g. Italian, are syllable-timed. In syllable-timed languages, each syllable takes about the same amount of time to say. The rhythm is more even, and there is less difference between stressed and unstressed syllables and words.
Read, then listen to the sentences below:
- Me, you, him, her.
- Me and you and him and her.
The second sentence didn't take much longer to say even though it has three extra words (3 x 'and')!!
stress-timed languages are able to do this because they shorten the vowel sounds in unstressed/weak/functional words! To learn about short vowels, close the window and start the module.
Connected Speech In English: rhythm
Foundation Concept: Stress-timed languages (e.g. English) vs Syllable-timed languages (e.g. Italian)
English has a stress-timed rhythm, which means that the time between stressed syllables is roughly equal. Some syllables are stressed (spoken louder and longer), while others are unstressed (spoken softer and shorter). The stressed syllables are found in the most important words of the sentence, i.e. the communicative words. This creates an alternating pattern between stressed (strong) words and unstressed (weak) words where important words stand out, e.g. This alternating STRONG - weak - STRONG pattern is found in every English sentence in normal speech.
- If every word was 'STRONG', it would be the equivalent of ALWAYS USING CAPITALS AND BOLD WHEN WRITING.
- We can do it, but only when we need to for a specific reason. It's not the standard form.
Stress-Timed Rhythm in English
FUNCTION WORDS (unstressed) am - to the
COMMUNICATIVE WORDS (stressed) I - GOING - SHOPS
One important feature of Stress-Timed Language is:
Syllable-Timed Languages
In stress-timed languages you can add extra unstressed words without making the sentence much longer to say!
In contrast, many other languages, e.g. Italian, are syllable-timed. In syllable-timed languages, each syllable takes about the same amount of time to say. The rhythm is more even, and there is less difference between stressed and unstressed syllables and words.
Read, then listen to the sentences below:
- Me, you, him, her.
- Me and you and him and her. Now, listen to both:
The second sentence didn't take much longer to say even though it has three extra words!!
stress-timed languages are able to do this because they shorten the vowel sounds in unstressed/weak/functional words! To learn about short vowels, close the window and start the module.
SCHWA 101
J B
Created on May 31, 2024
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Geographical Challenge: Drag to the map
View
Explainer Video: AI for Companies
View
Explainer Video: Keys to Effective Communication
View
SWOT Challenge: Classify Key Factors
View
Big Data: The Data That Drives the World
View
Mind Map: The 4 Pillars of Success
View
Momentum: Employee Introduction Presentation
Explore all templates
Transcript
RHYTHM in Speech
Stress-Timed Rhythm vs Syllable-Timed Rhythm
English Grammar & Use - B1+ Suite
START
Review: RHYTHM in Speech
Stress-Timed Rhythm vs Syllable-Timed Rhythm
<< CLICK HERE
SCHWA 101
CONTENT:
OUTCOME STATEMENT: After this module you will have some tools to help you understand native speakers more easily.
STUDY TIME: Unlimited QUIZ:
Key
hover over these symbols to read Definitions
LISTEN
= Audio Files
AIM4: SCHWA 101 - page 1 of 3
Welcome to this mini-module about CONNECTED SPEECH & WEAK VOWEL SOUNDS in standard English.
e.g. the auxilliary verb:
HAVE
refers to the natural way words are pronounced together in spoken English. When Native Speakers talk at normal speed:
Connected speech
click the button to start
Review 1
This happens because native speakers shorten the length of the vowel sounds in many words!!
CONNECTEDSPEECH
What have we learnt so far?
Vowels = A, E, I, O, UVOWEL SHORTENING in English connected speech involves REDUCING VOWELS TO WEAKER, SHORTER SOUNDS, often to a sound known as SCHWA.The Phonetic symbol for schwa is /ə/ and schwa sounds like this: Using schwa instead of other longer vowel sounds makes speech more fluid and natural, but it also makes it more difficult for learners to understand.
so, what type of words are usually 'shortened', i.e. which words commonly have the weak vowel schwa?
YOU ACTUALLY HEAR:
YOU EXPECT TO HEAR:
Click me to find out
schwa in FUNCTION words Review the sounds
NEXT
Now, let's put that learning into practice: Listen to how this sentences sound in Standard English, then try to mimic the intonation.
NEXT
AIM4: SCHWA 101 - page 3 of 4
Now, let's practice some questions in these forms: Present Simple & Continuous, Past (S&C), Present Perfect (S&C), Future Simple, i.e. Will. There is also the common 'opinion question'; Do you think 'x' will...?
1. Listen to the audios a few times 2. Audios are at 2 'speeds': The first is 'slow connected speech', the second is 'rapid connected speech' 3. If you hover your mouse over the question, you'll see the meaning in Italian! 4. Tap the audio icons once to START the loop and again to STOP the loop.
This exercise will help you understand better when interlocutors ask you questions. Understanding the question is essential if you want to answer!
Click me for questions with DO as the main verb
Click me for questions with WORK as the main verb
Click me for questions with THINK ABOUT as the main verb
1. What do you think about him?
2. Are you thinking about going on holiday soon?
3. What did you think about yesterday?
4. What were you thinking about when you crashed your car?
5. Have you thought about what I said?
6. Have you been thinking about this for a long time?
7. When will you think about my proposal?
8. Do you think you will be able to think about my proposal soon?
6. What have you been working on today?
7. When will you work on it?
8. Do you think his solution will work?
4. What were you working on when your computer crashed?
5. Has it worked?
1. Where do you work?
2. Are you working tomorrow?
3. Did you work yesterday?
1. What do you do?
2. What are you doing tomorrow?
3. What did you do yesterday?
4. What were you doing at 5am this morning?
5. What have you done!
6. What have you been doing recently?
7. What will you do when you retire?
8. When do you think you'll do the accounts?
This page is password protected
Enter the password
This page is password protected
Enter the password
In spoken English, many function words have both a strong (dictionary) pronunciation and a weak form. The weak form often includes the schwa sound /ə/ & is the most common form in normal native speech.
Modal Verbs
Auxilliary Verbs
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Articles
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Quantifiers
Prepositions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Conjunctions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
In spoken English, many function words have both a strong (dictionary) pronunciation and a weak form. The weak form often includes the schwa sound /ə/ & is the most common form in normal native speech.
Modal Verbs
Auxilliary Verbs
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Articles
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Quantifiers
Prepositions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
Conjunctions
LISTEN
LISTEN
LISTEN
A4 CREATIONS © 2024 by JONATHAN BOYDELL is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Connected Speech In English: rhythm
Foundation Concept: Stress-timed languages (e.g. English) vs Syllable-timed languages (e.g. Italian)
English has a stress-timed rhythm, which means that the time between stressed syllables is roughly equal. Some syllables are stressed (spoken louder and longer), while others are unstressed (spoken softer and shorter). The stressed syllables are found in the most important words of the sentence, i.e. the communicative words. This creates an alternating pattern between stressed (strong) words and unstressed (weak) words where important words stand out, e.g. This alternating STRONG - weak - STRONG pattern is found in every English sentence in normal speech.
Stress-Timed Rhythm in English
FUNCTION WORDS (unstressed) am - to the
COMMUNICATIVE WORDS (stressed) I - GOING - SHOPS
One important feature of Stress-Timed Language is:
Syllable-Timed Languages
In stress-timed languages you can add extra unstressed words without making the sentence much longer to say!
In contrast, many other languages, e.g. Italian, are syllable-timed. In syllable-timed languages, each syllable takes about the same amount of time to say. The rhythm is more even, and there is less difference between stressed and unstressed syllables and words.
Read, then listen to the sentences below:
The second sentence didn't take much longer to say even though it has three extra words (3 x 'and')!!
stress-timed languages are able to do this because they shorten the vowel sounds in unstressed/weak/functional words! To learn about short vowels, close the window and start the module.
Connected Speech In English: rhythm
Foundation Concept: Stress-timed languages (e.g. English) vs Syllable-timed languages (e.g. Italian)
English has a stress-timed rhythm, which means that the time between stressed syllables is roughly equal. Some syllables are stressed (spoken louder and longer), while others are unstressed (spoken softer and shorter). The stressed syllables are found in the most important words of the sentence, i.e. the communicative words. This creates an alternating pattern between stressed (strong) words and unstressed (weak) words where important words stand out, e.g. This alternating STRONG - weak - STRONG pattern is found in every English sentence in normal speech.
Stress-Timed Rhythm in English
FUNCTION WORDS (unstressed) am - to the
COMMUNICATIVE WORDS (stressed) I - GOING - SHOPS
One important feature of Stress-Timed Language is:
Syllable-Timed Languages
In stress-timed languages you can add extra unstressed words without making the sentence much longer to say!
In contrast, many other languages, e.g. Italian, are syllable-timed. In syllable-timed languages, each syllable takes about the same amount of time to say. The rhythm is more even, and there is less difference between stressed and unstressed syllables and words.
Read, then listen to the sentences below:
The second sentence didn't take much longer to say even though it has three extra words!!
stress-timed languages are able to do this because they shorten the vowel sounds in unstressed/weak/functional words! To learn about short vowels, close the window and start the module.