Phonetic Processes Research Articles

Allophonic Variation in Romance Languages: Categorical and Gradient Processes

The distinction between categorical phonological alternations and gradual phonetic processes is an important one in the study of sound systems. However, the correct classification of specific phenomena as belonging to phonology or to phonetics is often difficult. In recent years some researchers have argued that many processes traditionally understood as phonological alternations actually belong to the realm of gradient phonetics. Here I focus on consonant lenition phenomena in Spanish and other Romance languages and examine the potential arguments for their traditional analysis as alternations between phonological categories.

The Phonetic Challenges of Vowel Elision for Nigerian Students of French for Specific Purpose (FOS)

This article examines the specific phonetic challenges faced by Nigerian students in French vowel elision for specific purpose (FOS). The study analyzes the difficulties related to vowel elision, a phonetic process crucial for the acquisition of advanced linguistic skills in FOS. The research methodology includes classroom observations, student assessments, and interviews with students and teachers, providing in-depth analysis of error patterns and contributing factors. The results show that the main obstacles come from the interference of mother tongues (L1), insufficient phonetic training and a lack of awareness of the nuances of French phonology. The study proposes suitable teaching strategies, focusing on targeted phonics training and awareness activities, to improve the effectiveness of FOS teaching for Nigerian students. Implications for teaching practice and future research are discussed.

Фонетические процессы в сочетаниях согласных (на материале осетинского языка)

The aim of the research is to identify all potential consonant clusters in the modern Ossetian literary language where assimilative and dissimilative changes are possible. The article discusses a detailed algorithm aimed at creating a theoretical basis for an orthoepic dictionary of the Ossetian literary language. The research is novel in that it is the first to obtain data on all possible assimilative and dissimilative processes in the Ossetian literary language. Consonant clusters were identified using a representative corpus of Ossetian texts presented on the Internet and consisting of 836,593 words. As a result of the study of 819 consonant clusters, such combinations were found in which, based on data on the phonemes of the Ossetian literary language, assimilative processes could be expected. In particular, this refers to consonant clusters where voiced and voiceless consonants meet at the boundaries of morphemes, voiced consonants in the final position and voiced consonants at the boundaries of morphemes. To determine the phonetic processes that occur in these clusters (progressive assimilation for voicing/devoicing, regressive assimilation for voicing/devoicing), words containing such clusters were included in the instrumental analysis program.

Instrumental Case of Noun Plurals in the Western Polissian and Contiguous Dialects

The dialectal system of noun formation often demonstrates much greater inflectional variability in a single case position than in the literary language. This feature of the dialect paradigm is determined by the consequences of the active interaction of ancient substantive stems and innovation at the present stage of form formation of word-change norms.
 The best way to trace the specific features of filling the paradigm in general and the degree of inflectional variability specifically in a particular link is to observe spontaneous dialect speech for a long time and to form a corpus of textual records based on fixed spoken testimonies. This approach to the description of the relevant linguistic phenomena provided the basis for realizing the goal of this study – to find out the specifics of the formation of the instrumental case in the plural of substantives in the Western Polissian and related dialects based on the most complete composition of dialectal manifestations of nouns; to comment on the factors influencing the existence of dialectal differences in the studied case position.
 The case study materials of the research are the authors' records of factual material made in 146 localities in the Volyn and Rivne regions.
 The presented and analyzed material gives grounds to assert that the formation of the instrumental case of the plural nouns in the dialectal language system, as well as in the literary one, is determined by the unification of inflectional types based on the model of the corresponding manifestations of the substantives, primarily ancient *-ā-, *-jā-stems, rarely – formal vocal *-ǐ-stems. The folk conversational tradition also indicates innovations that reflect the consequences of phonetic processes. Thus, inflectional variability in the analyzed case position is determined by differences in the realization of vowel and consonant sounds, typical to the sound system of the Western Polissian and related dialects. Among the archaic word-change phenomena in the studied range, the remnants of ancient dual forms of the instrumental case of substantives are attested.
 The article provides demonstrative examples of variant implementation of a particular ending in a particular subdialect, as well as inflectional variants of a case position of a particular noun, which may indicate that forming dialectal inflectional norms is still ongoing.

Калмыцкий словник в работе П. С. Палласа: графо-фонетический анализ гласных

Introduction. Quite a number of eighteenth-nineteenth century Kalmyk dictionaries have been subject to linguistic analysis. However, the Kalmyk word list in the major work by P. S. Pallas — despite being well known to the scientific community — was never analyzed, yet that was an earliest attempt to record Kalmyk vocabulary and contains decently precise spellings (closest to actual oral patterns), which makes it a unique lexicographic source. Goals. The study attempts a graphophonetic analysis of Kalmyk vowels from the dictionary of P. S. Pallas, and seeks to identify reflexes of such vowel graphemes. Materials. The paper focuses on the Kalmyk word list consisting of 531 units, some to repeat but differ in spelling. Results. The study has yielded some rows of vowel graphemic correspondences between entries contained in the Pallas Dictionary, lexemes of modern standard Kalmyk, the latter’s IPA transcriptions, and H. Nugteren’s proto-Mongolic reconstructions, which makes it possible to conduct a graphophonetic analysis of the mentioned Kalmyk word list. The latter analysis has resulted in a table introducing data on reflexes of regular vowels (i.e., three examples least). There are significant phonetic differences between graphemic patterns of the Pallas Dictionary and present-day Kalmyk lexemes, in most cases those are essentially systemic. The differences from the modern literary language are mainly derived from historical changes that have arisen in vowels and vowel complexes under the influence of certain phonetic processes. In the absolute beginning of a word and after a consonant in the first syllable, vowels experience few changes, the bulk of such transformations be observed in further syllables and relate to reduced positions.

Сопоставительная характеристика кубачинского и ицаринского идиомов даргинского ареала: фонетические данные

The paper aims to identify common and distinctive features in the phonetic system of the Kubachi language and the Itsari dialect of the Tsudakhar-Sirkhin language (the Dargin branch of the Nakh-Dagestanian languages). Based on extralinguistic observations, the Dargin languages were considered as a single language during the Soviet era, although they had many differences at all linguistic levels, including phonetics. They have a rich and complex system of both vowel and consonant systems. Meanwhile, the common properties and differences in the sound system of almost all Dargin lects remain unexplored, which complicates the problem of creating a final classification of Dargin languages and dialects. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the sound composition of the Kubachi and Itsari lects and the phonetic processes occurring in them. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that a significant amount of new material on the phonetic level of the compared linguistic units has been introduced into scientific use. As a result of the study, the issues of formation and functioning of long vowels, pharyngealized and labialized sounds, geminate consonants, as well as the sound processes occurring in the Kubachi language and the Itsari dialect were investigated. The common features and differences in the compared lects were revealed, sound correspondences were determined, the principles of the stress position were investigated.

EXTERNAL SANDHI IN THE FRENCH SPEECH STREAM: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ENCHAîNEMENT AND LIAISON DESCRIPTION

There are two opposing tendencies in the French speech stream. As a vocal-type language with a dominant open syllable and the absence of lexical stress, French creates sequences of two vowel sounds (gaping/l’hiatus) on the border of words in speech. Phonetic processes such as coupling (enchaînement) and binding (liaison) are used to remove this coarticulatively unfavorable context at the word junction. It is obvious that the implementation of coupling and binding at the border of words in the speech stream creates a diffuse acoustic marking of the external sandhi: words merge into a continuous physical signal. How do speakers create this co-articulatory cohesion of sounds in the speech stream? How do listeners manage to recognize in a continuous stream separate words that enter into certain syntactic and semantic relationships with each other? The article considers the external sandhi from the point of view of its articulatory, acoustic, auditory and cognitive processing.

Vowel Deletion as Grammatically Controlled Gestural Overlap in Uspanteko

Abstract: Uspanteko is an endangered Mayan language spoken in Guatemala. Unstressed vowels in Uspanteko often delete, though deletion is variable within and across speakers. Deletion appears to be phonological: it is sensitive to foot structure, morphology, and certain phonotactics, and it occurs in slow, careful speech. But deletion also has characteristics more typical of a phonetic process: it is intertwined with a pattern of gradient vowel reduction and is insensitive to most phonotactics. Electroglottography data shows that even 'deleted' vowels may contribute voicing to [inline-graphic 01] intervals when flanked by voiceless consonants. This suggests that 'deleted' vowels are represented in the input to speech production, even when they are acoustically masked by articulatory overlap with adjacent segments. We conclude that vowel deletion is grammatically controlled gestural overlap, consistent with the claim that phonological representations encode information about the relative timing and coordination of articulatory gestures (e.g. Browman & Goldstein 1986, Gafos 2002). At a minimum, language-specific phonetic processes must have access to more fine-grained, abstract grammatical information than is usually assumed.

有關《廣雅疏證》中 C-l-/C-r-式聯綿詞的考察

Binomes(聯綿詞) have been extensively discussed in various studies as evidence of the existence of initial clusters(複輔音) in Old Chinese. Notably, binomes with the second syllable being consonant “r-” or “l-” have been particularly emphasized and utilized as evidence for the study of initial clusters. As a consequence, the prevailing consensus among scholars posits that binomes emerged through the division of initial clusters. However, the specific phonetic processes that led to the evolution of binomes from initial clusters remain a relatively understudied aspect. This paper aims to meticulously analyze the C-l-/C-r- binomes found within the compilation “Guangyashuzheng(廣雅疏證)”, a repository containing a plethora of binomes from the Old Chinese period. Guided by the theoretical framework of Zheng-Zhang Shangfang's Old Chinese phonology, this study undertakes the task of categorizing the binomes into discrete groups: K-l-/K-r- binomes, Q-l-/Q-r- binomes, P-l-/P-r- binomes, and S-l-/S-r- binomes. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper delves into the intricate phonetic relationships that exist between binomes and initial clusters. As a result of this extensive examination, it becomes evident that certain binomes indeed emerged through the fragmentation of initial clusters. This substantiates the necessity for further refinement of our comprehension of the initial cluster system within Old Chinese linguistic structures.

MENTIONS FROM A HISTORY OF ARMENIAN PHONETIC STYLISTICS THOUGHT: PAUSE, RHYME, TIMBRE (FROM THE 1950s TO THE 2020s)

Armenian thinking regarding the phonetic and stylistic senses is related to the Russian stylistic thought. In Russian linguistics, Lomonosov, Shcherba, Avanesov, Panov and others dealt with phonetic stylistics. Armenian linguists also have remarkable observations about phonetic stylistics. Phonetic stylistics has developed rapidly and comprehensively especially in these last two centuries, and such development demands attention. In recent studies, sound symbolism is interpreted, the existence of which was confirmed by the results of experiments. The field of experimental phonetics is gaining momentum around the world. The article presents the problems of phonetic stylistics development (from the 1950s to the present day). The phonology of the Modern Armenian language describes and classifies the phonetic system of the modern stage of the Armenian language by revealing the phonetic processes taking place in the language and the changes in the different order of sounds as well as the reasons for their occurrence, the patterns. We have studied the works related to phonetic stylistics of the Armenian language, the provisions in various studies. Reference was made to the main components of phonetic stylistics: timbre, pause, rhyme. We have interpreted the observations of Armenian and foreign linguists. The methodological basis is the combination and analysis of existing theoretical provisions. We have tried to present the material of scientific literature chronologically

Words Produced by Sundanese-Indonesian Bilingual Babies

Babies are good learners and they learn to identify the sounds (phonemes) of their language. Before starting to speak, they do various processes. The processes are called by early phonological processes. Early phonological processes are the processes that babies do to produce their understandable words. This case study explores the Indonesian words produced by babies at age 1-2 and the phonological processes that they do. Using observation and interview, this study employs 2 babies and their mother as the additional participants to give stronger data. The finding of this study showed that in producing the words, babies do some early phonetic processes. Babies at the age of twelve months or a year did a process called by babbling. Babies at 1 to 2-year old and so do substitution, syllable simplification or reduction of consonant cluster, and assimilation. In other words, babies at the age of one to two years old do all of early phonetic processes. The results in this study will be able to provide the information about the Indonesian words produced by babies 1 to 2 years old as the second language and their true meaning so that adults are able to understand what babies say and want

Phonological reading route in Portuguese: Paradoxical precise non-word decoding contrary to purported conversion grammar rules

Abstract It is traditionally said that the phonological reading route operates based on the application of grapheme-to-phoneme conversion rules. Indeed, know-why decoding is based on orthoepic grammatical rules that specify how grapheme pronunciation depends on grapheme position. However, know-how decoding performance may be based on intuition derived from drill-and-practice modeling and shaping. It may occur in the absence of rules, and even in opposition to the rules readers subscribe to. The present study explores that paradox. In Portuguese pronunciation, the “S” coda is uttered as /z/ when preceding voiced attacks (B, D, G, J, L, M, N, V, Z). Even though Brazilian fluent readers exhibit that assimilation phonetic process in their reading aloud, they tend to be unaware of it. When asked how “S” is to be uttered, they state the inter-vowel grammar position rule: “We always utter ‘S’ as /s/, except when it occurs in between vowels. In that case, and only in that case, we utter ‘S’ as /z/.” In the present study, 40 elementary-school students (3rd-6th grades, aged 8-11 years) read aloud 18 non-words: ASBA, ASCA, ASDA, ASFA, ASGA, ASJA, ASKA, ASLA, ASME, ASNA, ASPA, ASQUA, ASRA, ASSA, ASTA, ASVA, ASXA, ASZA. Results: Upon being interviewed before reading, each student stated the same grammar inter-vowel position rule. During reading, younger students failed to perform phonetic junctions due to syllabification. Long inter-syllabic pauses prevented phonetic junction and, thence, “S”-coda assimilation. In contrast, older students showed perfectly fluent and precise know-how decoding performance. Due to their extensive history of drill-and-practice modeling and shaping, they performed phonetic junction and thus presented perfect “S”-coda voicing. They were surprised upon realizing they performed perfectly and in perfect contrast to the rule they had just stated. Their teachers were submitted to the same task and were equally puzzled and even ashamed. In conclusion: (1) When reading fluency emerges, syllabification is replaced by a phonetic junction. Therefore, the emergence of the phonetic assimilation process of “S”-coda voicing may be regarded as a reading-fluency landmark; (2) Once reading fluency emerges, the phonetic assimilation process of “S”-coda voicing emerges with it as an unconscious process that occurs independently from grammar position rules, and in complete opposition to them; (3) Know-how decoding performance is based on intuition derived from drill-and-practice modeling and shaping. It may be dissociated from know-why decoding knowledge, which is based on orthoepic grammatical rules that specify how grapheme pronunciation depends on grapheme position. Know-how decoding performance may occur in the absence of rules, or even in total contrast to the rules that readers subscribe to, due to phonetic processes that readers are unaware of, such as assimilation. Therefore, the assumption that “the phonological route works based on the application of conversion rules” is unwarranted. Instead, phonological route works based primarily on intuitive decoding derived from the statistical distribution of grapheme-phoneme patterns in language, which is implemented by drill-and-practice modeling and shaping. Orthoepic grammar rules are secondarily added to inform intuition so that conversion is made dependent on grapheme position. Keywords: Reading, Decoding, Phonology, Phonetics, Rule, Expectancy.

A Multi-Layer Transcription Model – concept outline

This paper discusses the assumptions of a Multi-Layer Transcription Model (hereinafter: MLTM). The solution presented is an advanced grapheme-to-phoneme (G2P) conversion method that can be implemented in technical applications, such as automatic speech recognition and synthesis systems. The features of MLTM also facilitate the application of text-to-transcription conversion in linguistic research. The model presented here is the basis for multi-step processing of the orthographic representation of words with those being transcribed gradually. The consecutive stages of the procedure include, among other things, identification of multi-character phonemes, voicing status change, and consonant clusters simplification. The multi-layer model described in this paper makes it possible to assign individual phonetic processes (for example assimilation), as well as other types of transformation, to particular layers. As a result, the set of rules becomes more transparent. Moreover, the rules related to any process can be modified independently of the rules connected with other forms of transformation, provided that the latter have been assigned to a different layer. These properties of the multi-layer transcription model in question provide crucial advantages for the solutions based on it, such as their flexibility and transparency. There are no assumptions in the model about the applicable number of layers, their functions, or the number of rules defined in each layer. A special mechanism used for the implementation of the MLTM concept enables projection of individual characters onto either a phonemic or a phonetic transcript (obtained after processing in the final layer of the MLTM-based system has been completed). The solution presented in this text has been implemented for the Polish language, however, it is not impossible to use the same model for other languages.

Изменение юкагирской фонемы /ħ/ в диахронии (на примере одульского языка)

This work examines several previous studies that documented the different stages of the Odul language development and our own language material. The analysis revealed the natural phonetic process of the Yukaghir phoneme /M/ transformation. This process was took place in different ways in different Odul tribes. However, two directions of development can be clearly distinguished: the first—[ħ] → [ħs''] → [s''], the second—[ħʃ] → [ħʃ''] → [ʃ'']. This fact probably indicates that not only different Yukaghir tribes but also, perhaps, clan groups, had their own inherent linguistic differences. The combination of the genera for various reasons resulted in articulatory traditions being mixed, existing in parallel at the initial stage without impeding the transmission of information. Later, the new system began to be formed, with the affricate [ħç] and the slit [s''] and [ʃ''] becoming independent phonemes, but the /s''/ and /ʃ''/ remaining interdictorial variants of pronunciation. Borrowings from the Russian language with the initial “s” adapted and pronounced by the Odulas according to the articulatory norms of the recipient language, as well as with an interlingual tuning, even when the sound was not soft, produced a new phoneme /s''/ in the “sh-pronouncers,” and the expansion of the positional variation of the phoneme /s''/ in the “s-pronouncers.”

ПОЗИТИВНІ ТА ХИБНІ ЗМІНИ В УКРАЇНСЬКОМУ ПРАВОПИСІ 2019 р.

The aim of the article is to analyze Ukrainian spelling peculiarities, highlighted in the editions of 1993, 2007 (amended version) and 2019 years, which are related to the comparative aspect, particularly to orthography (methods of combining sounds and sound combinations which ensures the same type of words’ spelling). The work uses such approaches as induction and deduction, and the main methods of researching linguistic phenomena: descriptive method and variant dynamics of writing foreign words. In the study, using the application of comparative and contrastive methods, we have determined some features of literary language norms in the spellings of 1993 and 2007, which relate to minor clarifications, descriptions, the illustrative material alphabetical order, the selection of certain lexemes to denote concepts related to changes in society, and some modernized changes in spelling. It is proved that corrections were made to the spelling of 2007 not in relation to Ukrainian grammar and orthography but mainly in relation to illustrative material, and these examples sometimes do not correspond to literary language norms. The article analyzes some positive changes regarding to various subsystems, which truly corresponds to the Ukrainian language modern state, for instance, normalized spelling of borrowed words such as “top100” or “top-ten”, names of sites and other Internet services, and complex words with borrowed components (vice-, ex-, leib-, maxi-, midi-, mini-, ober-, unter-, stubs-, which now we write together). The spelling of such words like “проєкт” and “проєкція”, the principle of transmission of Russian and Belarusian names and some male surnames in the adjective form, the spelling of the pronouns “ви” and “ваш” with lowercase and uppercase letters have been standardized. It has been proven that there are no significant changes in 2019 Spelling: the vast majority of them are contradictory and even not entirely appropriate. Especially, this alternation concerns of “о - і” and “е - і” with verbose definitions that are too difficult for a schoolchild; some norms about the position of using prepositions and prefixes “у - в”, as well as prepositions “із, зі”. We have recorded some overcomplicated explanations regarding the lengthening of consonants, the use of a soft sign “ь”, etc. Innovations in the writing of foreign words have been studied in detail. Some of the new norms are clearly motivated, but some of them are too complicated, for example, the transfer of borrowed personal names including Arabic, Persian, Turkic and others. Irregularities in the spelling of various parts of the language have been identified, in particular regarding the features of the case endings of masculine nouns of the second declension of the singular; declension of Russian surnames with the suffixes “-ин, -ін, -їн” (parallel endings in the dative case form; use of a number of Russian surnames in the vocative case form). The authors moved the irregularity of some features quantitative and fractional numerals declension and their combination with nouns. The article contains authors’ critical comments regarding the clarity and accuracy of certain spelling norms formulation, for example, phonetic processes, the use of a soft sign “ь”, writing complex words, etc. Nouns declension peculiarities are analyzed, in particular those that determine the specificity of the Ukrainian language, its uniqueness. The proposed authors’ vision of formulations concretization about the quantitative and fractional numerals declension and their combination with nouns. In general, both positive changes in spelling norms and certain inaccuracies should be eliminated and refined.

The peculiarities of the phonetic system of the Gapshima dialect of the northern Dargin language

The main purpose of the study is to describe the peculiarities of the phonetic system of the Gapshima dialect of the northern Dargin language (the Dargin branch of the Nakh-Dagestan languages). Actually, this dialect is not still studied well, and that is the relevance of this study. On the other hand, the problem of classifying the Dargin languages and dialects still remains undetermined; and particularly, the role of Gapshima speech in the system of Dargin dialects and languages isn’t still determined. The article deals with the problems of the phonetic system of the dialect, the phonetic processes in it, and also the sound correspondences in the Gapshima dialect and other idioms of the Dargin area adjacent to it — the Akusha, the Sirkhya, the Tsudahar and the Mekegi. The scientific novelty of the research is in the fact that it is the first time the wealth phonetic material peculiarities of the dialect under study in comparison with the ones of other Dargin dialects are introduced into scientific use. As a result of the study, it is established that the Gapshima speech has similarities both with the dialects of the Tsudahar and Sirkhya which are in contact with it, and with the Akush dialect, the basis of the Dargin literary language. On the other hand, a number of phonetic phenomena functioning in the Gapshima dialect is also established, which are presented in the Mekegi dialect, with which the Gapshima one does not have a direct contact. The practical significance of the study is in the results which are applicable to the practice of teaching Dargin dialectology. They will also contribute to the issue of establishing the improved classification of Dargin dialects and languages.

Consequences of mixing and switching languages for retrieval and articulation

AbstractA large literature has shown that language context –mixing and switching between languages – impacts lexical access processes during bilingual speech production. Recent work has suggested parallel contextual effects of language context on the phonetic realization of speech sounds, consistent with interactions between lexical access and phonetic processes. In this pre-registered study, we directly examine the link between lexical access and phonetic processes in Spanish–English bilinguals using picture naming. Using automated acoustic analysis, we simultaneously gather measures of reaction time (indexing lexical access) and acoustic properties of the initial consonant and vowel (indexing phonetic processes) for the same speakers on the same trials. Across measures, we find consistent, robust effects of mixing and language dominance. In contrast, while switching effects are robust in reaction time measures, they are not detected in phonetic measures. These inconsistent effects suggest there are constraints on the degree of interaction between lexical access and phonetic processes.

Intervocalic lenition, contrastiveness and neutralization in Catalan

In this study we examine the effects of word boundaries on the lenition of intervocalic voiceless plosives in Catalan in order to test the role of phonological contrastiveness in phonetic processes. Here we test the hypothesis that word-final intervocalic voiceless plosives (VC#V) will show greater lenition than word-internal and word-initial intervocalic tokens (VCV, V#CV), since in word-final position the contrast between /ptk/ and /bdg/ is neutralized. Lenition should be manifested acoustically as greater intensity, shorter duration and greater voicing. We find weaker support for the hypothesis than in a parallel study on Basque, suggesting the existence of phonological differences between the two languages. On the other hand, we find a strong effect of style on intervocalic lenition, with conversational speech promoting more lenited consonants. Intervocalic stop lenition in Catalan does not appear to be driven by temporal reduction.

Этноним русь и восточногерманское *rauþs ‘красный’: еще раз к обоснованию гипотезы

The author draws attention to a number of important unresolved problems (including those recognized by leading supporters) of the currently dominant variant of the Scandinavian etymology behind of the ethnonym Rus’/русь, He argues a new version of the East Germanic etymology of this ethnonym. Following the explanatory model of “Finno-Germanic militarized groups”, the author believes that for the Roman period we should also assume the existence of such groups (in particular, on Saaremaa, Lanemaa and Virumaa), controlling the sea route along the southern coast of the Baltic — but with the East Germans as the dominant element. East Germanic *rauþs ‘red’ is proposed as the original etymon for русь. Taking into account the phonetic processes characteristic of the East Germanic languages (early contraction of the original Germanic diphthongs and the tendency to increase vowels), a natural stage of evolution of *rauþs ‘red’ should be the form *rōþs. Considering ethnonymic models of the Finnish peoples (and Goths), we should justifiably obtain the form *rōþ (but with the meaning ‘red’) as the original etymon for the Slavic русь.

اداء المتعلمين العراقيين الدراسين اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة أجنبية على المستوى الجامعي في العمليات الصوتية (الفوني)

This study aims at investigating Iraqi EFL university students' use of phonetic processes concerning their performance (recognition and production) of phonetic processes, that is to say, the research focuses on those learners' cognitive and productive abilities when using phonetic processes of English. As a consequence, one hundred 4th year students, as a representative sample, are subject to a questionnaire exclusively prepared for this purpose with the hope of discovering their performance in this concern. Since phonetic processes are a daunting challenge and insurmountable problem for all foreign learners, including Iraqi EFL learners, this research emphasizes the learners' performance (recognition and production) in this regard. Accordingly, the problem so far identified is to be discussed thoroughly and the findings of this work will be of use for foreign learners of English in general. The current research is first approached theoretically by drawing upon phonetic and phonological differences in conjunction with the key phonetic processes and discussing their peculiarities with respect to the way linguistic forms are pronounced. Later on, a test is conducted to detect the learners' abilities to use the phonetic processes when producing English forms. At last, the research terminates with an appendix containing the questionnaire that involves the questions designated for this end and arrived at some conclusions in this regard.