Introduction to Russian phonology and word structure

1. Introduction to Russian phonology and word structure Ch. 3: The description of consonants

2. Group work Quiz each other on the parameters of the table on p. 18

3. Q&A from handout What sounds in the table do not have Russian letters?

4. Q&A from handout What sounds in the table do not have Russian letters? �, and �, and ? and ? and ? What role do they play?

5. Q&A from handout 3. What sounds in the table do not have Russian letters? �, and �, and ? and ? and ? What role do they play? Symmetry! Note, however, that the place of articulation for �, and �, is different than that of � and � and these sounds are restricted to certain environments (see pp. 21-22)

6. Q&A from handout 4. Most of the blank spaces could be filled (compare with the IPA chart). What could be there?

7. Q&A from handout 4. Most of the blank spaces could be filled (compare with the IPA chart). What could be there? Velar nasal, voiceless r, uvular r, ?, th, glottal stop�

8. Q&A from handout 5. Note that some of the designations in the table are somewhat simplified or arbitrary. The Russian [v] is not fully an obstruent and sometimes acts like a glide, as we�ll see. Why might this be?

9. Q&A from handout 5. Note that some of the designations in the table are somewhat simplified or arbitrary. The Russian [v] is not fully an obstruent and sometimes acts like a glide, as we�ll see. The relatively recent history of this sound helps us understand its status.

10. Q&A from handout Discuss #6. Note the connectedness of phones in the chart. It is very real! Every phone bears a series of relationships to other phones and this affects their behavior as subgroups.

11. Q&A from handout 7. What is the difference between palatal & palatalized?

12. Q&A from handout 7. What is the difference between palatal & palatalized? Palatal is a primary articulation, it describes an essential property of a sound Palatalized is a secondary articulation, it describes an additional, not a primary articulation

13. Q&A from handout 8. What is the issue with the palatalized labials?

14. Q&A from handout 8. What is the issue with the palatalized labials? There is a conflict between the primary and secondary tonality. Labials are naturally very low in tonality (like velars). Palatalization gives a heightened tonality. This is an unstable combination and can dissimilate/diphthongize, cf. Cz be�et [bje�et]

15. Q&A from handout 9. What is the vocalic version of [v]?

16. Q&A from handout 9. What is the vocalic version of [v]? [u]! The parallelism between [i] and [u] will become clear when we get to the vowels�

17. Q&A from handout 10. Transcribe ??? ??? ???? ???? ????

18. Q&A from handout 10. Transcribe ??? [da�c,] ??? [v,a�l] ???? [bo�l] ???? [svo�j] ???? [ro��]

19. Q&A from handout 11. Write the correct Russian word: [p,a�n] [jo��] [po�t] [p,jo�t] [la�j]

20. Q&A from handout 11. Write the correct Russian word: [p,a�n] ??? [jo��] ?? [po�t] ??? [p,jo�t] ???? [la�j] ???

21. Q&A from handout 12. What do they have in common? �, �, c, j ?,

22. Q&A from handout 12. What do they have in common? �, �, c, j ?, Palatals f s � x

23. Q&A from handout 12. What do they have in common? �, �, c, j ?, Palatals f s � x Voiceless fricatives p b m

24. Q&A from handout 12. What do they have in common? �, �, c, j ?, Palatals f s � x Voiceless fricatives p b m Labials p t k

25. Q&A from handout 12. What do they have in common? �, �, c, j ?, Palatals f s � x Voiceless fricatives p b m Labials p t k Voiceless stops

26. A couple of last notes... It is very important to remember that Russian, unlike English, lacks aspiration! Can you pronounce unaspirated voiceless stops accurately??? Note that Russian [t] and [d] are true dentals, unlike English t and d. Russians can hear the difference! Can you???? Getting these two things right will do a LOT to reduce your foreign accent!