Peculiarities of the cc, cv, vc, VV Articulatory Transitions in English and in Russian
1. Aspiration
One of the features which are peculiar to CV transition in English is aspiration. This phenomena does not exist in Russian. In English it is mostly observed in the pronunciation of the initial [p], [t], [k] followed by an accented vowel. If [p], [t], [k] are preceded by [s], there is no aspiration.
Aspiration is stronger if [p], [t], [k] are followed by a long vowel, compare Pete, pit. Aspiration can be characterized as a case of a loose CV transition. Aspiration does not exist in Russian speech.
The Russian initial [п], [т], [к] are differentiated before vowels only due to the allophonic differences of the vowel phonemes which follow them.
2. Palatalization
Another feature peculiar to the CV, CC transition in English is palatalization. It is the adaptation of dental or velar consonants to the high front vowels [i:], [ı] or the sonorant [j]. Some phoneticians mark palatalization sounds by a raised [y'], e.g. “ky”.
3. Labialization
One more peculiar feature of the CV, CC transition in English and in Russian is labialization, which is the assimilation of a consonant to the following rounded vowel and the sonorant [w] – regressive assimilation. For example, in the word cool the lips are rounded already at the medial stage of [k].
This type of the CV, CC transition is close both in English and in Russian. Care should be taken not to protrude the lips too much for the English [u:], [ɔ:], which is characteristic of the Russian [y], [o], compare: cool – Kyjib, tool – mwjib. Some authors mark labialized sounds by a raised "w".
4. Nazalization and other qualitative changes of vowels in CV, VV transition One of the features peculiar to the CV transition in English is nasalization All English vowels are mostly oral, that is they are pronounced with the raised soft palate. But if the soft palate is lowered at the medial stage of the nasal sonorant, followed by a vowel, the air escapes through the nasal cavity, this makes the vowel nasal, e.g. [ɔ:] is nasalized in morning – progressive assimilation. Vowels may also change their quality under the influence of the dark [l], which follows them and in sequences after [j]. For example, the vowel sound [e] becomes more open before dark [l] in the word bell than in the word bed-VC transition, regressive assimilation.
The vowel sound [u:] becomes more front preceded by [j], compare: use, ooze. In the first word [u:] is more front – CV transition.
The VV articulatory transition in English is characterized by regressive assimilation. It can be observed, for example, in the pronunciation of the article the and the preposition to before vowels: the apple [ðı 'æpl]. The peculiar feature in the VV transition in English is the presence of a glottal stop between two vowels in cases like the apple, we'all, when they are mispronounced as [wıˈɒ:l], [ðı 'æpl]. The glottal stop is pronounced in GA in words like certainly [ˈsɜ:nlı] instead of ['sɜ:tnlı] in RP.
5. Nasal plosion
Assimilation may affect not only the work of the soft palate; in the combination of a plosive + a nasal sonorant it also affects the manner of noise production and the CC transition in English results in the nasal plosion. For example, in the word recognize the final stage of [g] coincides with the medial stage of the sound [n] which follows it – regressive assimilation. In Russian similar combinations are pronounced with the oral plosion of the plosive consonants which are followed by nasals, compare recognize – close CC transition, огни – loose CC transition.
6. Lateral plosion
The manner of noise production is affected by assimilation in the combinations a plosive + the lateral sonorant l. This type of articulatory transition is called lateral plosion. Russian learners mispronounce these combinations inserting [a] inside the clusters [tl], [dl].
In the Russian language [тл], [дл] clusters occur in the initial position and are pronounced with close CC transition: тля, для.
7. Loss of plosion
Assimilation affects the manner of noise production in the combinations of two English plosives: [pt], [pd], [bd], [pk], [bk], [tp], [tk], [kp], [kt], [gd] and in the combination [ktʃ] in which the first consonant loses its plosion.
For example, in the word helped the final stage of [p] coincides with the medial stage of [t] which follows it. In Russian similar combinations are pronounced with the loose CC transition, compare apt in which [p] is plosionless and аптека where [п] and [т] are pronounced with plosions.
Voicing and devoicing English and Russian consonants affected by assimilation
In the English CC articulatory transitions the vocal cords are affected by
incomplete assimilation. Cases when one of the two adjacent consonants becomes voiced under the influence of the neighboring voiced consonant, or voiceless – under the influence of the neighboring voiceless consonant are rare. For example, in the word gooseberry [s] becomes voiced under the influence of the next voiced [b] – regressive assimilation. In the combination what's this the voiced [z] becomes voiceless under the influence of the preceding voiceless [t] – progressive assimilation.
In the process of speech the sonorants [m], [n], [l], [r], [j], [w] are partly devoiced before a vowel followed by the voiceless consonant phonemes [s], [p], [t], [k], e.g. plate, twice. In this case partial progressive assimilation affects the work of the vocal cords both in English and in Russian: compare the above examples with the Russian пламя, смена, кров.
In Russian voiceless – voiced distinction can be completely lost, compare суп, субпродукты where [б] undergoes complete regressive assimilation to [п] which follows it. Russian learners should be careful about the cases where regressive assimilation may fully affect the work of the vocal cords due to the Russian habit of regressive voicing or devoicing, for example blackboard – no voicing of [k], set back -no voicing of [t], these people – no devoicing of [z].
The active organ of speech and the place of articulation affected by assimilation
In the CC articulatory transition assimilation may affect the active organ of speech and the place of articulation. Forelingual apical [t], [d], [n], [l], [s], [z] become dental followed by the interdental voiced [ð] or voiceless [θ]. For example, in month the medial stage of [n] articulation is not accomplished, assimilated to the interdental [θ] which follows it, [n] becomes dental – regressive assimilation.
Regressive assimilation affects the place of articulation and the manner of noise production when the alveolar [t, d] are followed by the post-alveolar [r]. For example, in the word trip [t] becomes post-alveolar and [r] is pronounced with an alveolar tap -
progressively assimilated to the plosive [t]. In the word comfort the bilabial [m] becomes labio-dental – regressively affected by [f].
Assimilation can be obligatory (the points described above) and occasional, resulting from careless speech. For example, this shop, don't care in careless speech can be pronounced as ['ðıʃ 'ʃɒp, 'dəuŋ 'kɛə]. Such cases should be avoided. On the other hand, in rapid colloquial speech some sounds are usually not pronounced. This is called elision.
The vowels [i], [u], [e] may be omitted: university [ˌju:ni'və:siti], believe [b(i)'li:v], territory ['terıt(ə)rı].
The consonants [t], [d] are never pronounced between other plosives: locked gate [lɒk 'geıt], stopped behind ['stɔp bi'haınd], strict teacher ['strık 'ti:tʃə], rubbed down ['rʌb'daun].
The consonants [t], [d] may be omitted in the following combinations [st], [ft], [ʃt], [nd], [ld], [zd], [ðd], [vd] if they are followed by a consonant, e.g. next day ['neks 'dei], just one ['ʤʌs 'wʌn], finished now ['fıniʃ 'nau]. [t] is often omitted before the abbreviated negation [nt], e.g. you mustn't do it [ju 'mʌsn 'du: it].
Loss of [h] is observed when it is non-initial and unstressed: tell him he is wanted ['tel (h)im (h)i iz ,wontid]. But [h] is pronounced when stressed or preceded by a silence: he is wanted [hi: iz ˌwɒntid], her answer is wrong [hɜ: 'ɑ:nsə ız ˌrɒŋ], who was it? ['hu: ˌwɒz it].