## Phonetics Studies Review Guide: Short Answer & Essay Questions This guide covers key concepts in phonetics, focusing on syllable structure, sound changes, and phonological principles. We'll explore these through short answer questions and then delve deeper with essay prompts. ### Short Answer Questions & Answers **1. Clements and Sezer (1982): Purpose of Syllable Hierarchy Study in Turkish** The main goal of Clements and Sezer's study was to investigate the constraints on the presonor and postsonor positions of vowels in Turkish syllables. They used principles of harmony and dissonance, analyzing morphophonological examples, including loanwords, to demonstrate how the sonority hierarchy operates within the language. Think of harmony and dissonance as a kind of "sound agreement" within a syllable. Certain sounds prefer to be near each other, while others clash. **2. Syllable Hierarchy and Ergenç's (1995) Principle of Least Effort** Ergenç's Principle of Least Effort suggests a predictable relationship between the sonority levels of vowels and consonants within a word's sonority structure. Speakers strive for clarity with minimal articulatory effort. The syllable hierarchy reflects this, with sounds arranged to optimize ease of production and perception. Imagine building with LEGOs. The Principle of Least Effort is like finding the most stable and efficient way to build a structure using the fewest pieces. **3. Assimilation: Types and Definition** Assimilation is a sound change where one sound takes on characteristics of a neighboring sound. Basic types include: * **Consonant-consonant assimilation:** A consonant influences another consonant. * **Consonant-vowel assimilation:** A consonant influences a vowel, or vice versa. * **Progressive assimilation:** A sound is influenced by the preceding sound. * **Regressive assimilation:** A sound is influenced by the following sound. * **Vowel harmony:** A type of assimilation affecting vowel features across a word. Don't confuse assimilation with dissimilation, where sounds become *less* alike. **4. Progressive vs. Regressive Assimilation** * **Progressive assimilation:** The preceding sound influences the following sound. Example: *müdür* > *kursu* (the /r/ influences the following /s/). * **Regressive assimilation:** The following sound influences the preceding sound. Example: *divar* > *duvar* (the /u/ influences the preceding /i/). Think of "progressive" as moving forward, and "regressive" as moving backward in the word. **5. Epenthesis: Definition and Example** Epenthesis is the insertion of a sound not originally present in a word. Example: *scala* > *iskele* (the /i/ is epenthesized). Epenthesis often occurs to break up consonant clusters or to facilitate pronunciation. **6. Coalescence: Definition and Turkish Example** Coalescence is the merging of two sounds into a new, single sound. In Turkish, *sütlü aş* > *sütlaç* illustrates coalescence (/l/ and /a/ merge into /la/). **7. Basic Syllable Units in Generative Phonology** Generative phonology defines the syllable using three core units: * **Onset:** The consonant(s) before the nucleus. * **Nucleus:** The vowel (or syllabic consonant) forming the core of the syllable. * **Coda:** The consonant(s) after the nucleus. **8. Syllable Weight: Light vs. Heavy Syllables** Syllable weight is determined by the number of moras. * **Light syllable:** Contains one mora (typically a short vowel). * **Heavy syllable:** Contains two moras (long vowel, or vowel + consonant). In English, "be" is a light syllable, while "beat" is a heavy syllable. **9. Sonority Index (Broselow and Finer, 1986)** The sonority index ranks sounds based on their acoustic energy and openness. Broselow and Finer's index typically orders sounds as follows: (1) Plosives, (2) Fricatives, (3) Nasals, (4) Liquids, (5) Glides, (6) Vowels. **10. Sonority Sequencing Generalization** The Sonority Sequencing Generalization states that sonority should rise to a peak (usually the nucleus) and then fall within a syllable. Vowels have the highest sonority. ### Essay Questions These questions require more in-depth discussion and application of the concepts covered above. Remember to use examples from different languages where possible to illustrate your points. **1. Sound Changes in Turkish:** Discuss assimilation, dissimilation, epenthesis, deletion, metathesis, etc., and their impact on the Turkish sound system. **2. Syllable Weight and Consonant Gemination:** Explore syllable weight across languages, comparing its effects on phonological processes. Analyze the role of consonant gemination in Turkish syllable weight. **3. Sonority Hierarchy and Syllable Structure:** Explain the sonority hierarchy and its influence on syllable structure. Provide examples from various languages. **4. Syllable Structure in Generative Phonology:** Examine the structure of syllables (onset, nucleus, coda) within generative phonology, comparing their distribution and restrictions across languages. **5. Phonological Rules and Surface Structure:** Detail phonological rules and how they affect the surface structure of language, including concepts like aspiration and epenthesis. This review guide provides a solid foundation for your phonetics studies. Remember to practice applying these concepts to different languages and sound systems. Good luck!