Strong forms & weak forms, Linking and Rhythm

Huang Wanmei

Strong forms & Weak forms

• Strong forms: stressed forms

• Weak forms: unstressed forms (schwa //)

Words Strong Vowels Weak Vowels

at // //

has // //

she /:/ //

could // //

How are strong forms changed into weak forms?

• From strong vowels to weak ones //– Prepositions

at for from of to– Aux verbs

am are can do does had has have must shall should was were will would

– Adverbs conjunctions articlesa an and as but some than that the

– Pronounsher them us you your

• From strong vowels to weak ones //– be been he him his she we

• // dropping– Weak forms which drop their initial // except at the

beginning of utterances

– had has had have he her him his

Linking Vowel to Vowel

•  If our lips are round at the end of the first word, we insert a // sound:

We write it like this: too often who is so I do all

We say it like this: toowoften whowis sowI dowall

• If our lips are wide at the end of the first word, we insert a // sound:

We write it like this: I am Kay is the end she asked

We say it like this: Iyam Kayyis theyend sheyasked

Linking Consonant to Vowel

• When a word ends in a consonant sound, we often move the consonant sound to the beginning of the next word if it starts with a vowel sound.

• For example, in the phrase "turn off"

We write it like this: turn off

We say it like this: tur noff

• To link the final vowels /:/ or // to a following by adding the // sound, for example:

answer it

answer rit

the idea of

the idea rof

• // and // before // sound:

won’t you

/ /

could you

/ /

• If you're linking the same sound, you should simply hold the sound a little longer:

• had difficulties

• kiss someone

• make coffee

• Listen and find out the differences

1. The plane is here. The play is here.

2. We arrive at 9. We arrived at 9.

3. I'm going to bite it. I'm going to buy it.

4. Keep playing.Key playing.

5. Did you know? Do you know?

Rhythm of English

• Rhythm in English speech is based on stress. A rhythm unit is formed by a stresses syllable, together with unstressed syllables.

• 1 2 3 4

• 1 and 2 and 3 and 4

• 1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4

• 1 and then a 2 and then a 3 and then a 4

• Tom John Steve Sam• Thomson Johnson Steven Samson• Thomson and Johnson and Steven and Samson• Thomson and then Johnson and then Steven and then Samson

• 句中重读音节相继出现的地方，通常语速会慢一些，音节听起来也清楚一些。

• 重读音节之间拥挤出现的非重读音节听起来轻快而且含糊。

• 一句话说起来所需时间长短不取决于句中的单词数或音节数，而取决于句中有多少个重读音节。

Patterns of rhythm

1. Sentences with two stressed syllables

Come here.

Do it now.

Leave it alone.

They did it well.

I think he ought to.

2. Sentences with three stressed syllables.

Don’t go now.

Sam works hard.

I think he wants us to go.

I’m sorry I’m late again.

I wonder if he’ll tell them in advance.

3. Sentences with four stressed syllables.

He used to play it every day.

She ought to know the way by now.

You said that he wanted us to come for the party.