+1 862 207 3288 Part 1: Transcription (40 pts)
Using the IPA symbols provided in the text (see text covers, phonetics chapter, etc.), please broadly
1
transcribe the English language of Jack Dalrymple in the short youtube video linked here (“Minuteman
Report: Minot Floods”, from 0:19-0:46 only). In the clip, the current state governor discusses the
flooding situation in Minot, ND
2
, and the helpful role of the National Guard. Broadly transcribe his
native (midwest North) American English for the specified 27 seconds, including every phonetic segment
that he produces during that time. You can experiment with a narrower (e.g., using diacritics)
transcription if you like, but make sure your consonants and vowels are accurate.
Part 2: Labeling segments for natural classes (20 pts)
(A)
For the first 15 words of the transcription you completed for Part 1, list the voicing, PLACE of
articulation and MANNER of articulation for every consonant that you transcribed (NOT spelling—we
are concerned with pronunciation). If a consonant occurs more than once, you only have to list it and
its
features one time. For example,if the sound [t] occurs several times in the first 15 words, you only
need
to write down that it is a “voiceless alveolar stop” one time.
(B)
In the same 15 words, for every vowel that you transcribe, then list whether the vowel is a [+ front]
or
[+back] vowel, and if it is [+high] or [+low]. For vowels that are neither [+front] or [+back] and/or
neither [+high] or [+low], (elegantly) account for these vowels by stating that they are [- back, –
front]
and/or [- high, – low]. For example, [a] on the Finegan chart is [- front, – back, + low]. Describe
all
vowels in this way. Challenge question: Why might it matter to use a binary feature representation
([+/-])
for the vowels (vs. to say “middle” vowel)?
1
“broadly” here means you do not need to include syllable markers, aspiration, or any
symbols/diacritics beyond the
consonants and vowels themselves.
2
Nathan V grew up in this area.
1200-090.F15.vooge
Part 3: Hindi phonology (20 pts)
Argue if [b] and [b
h
] are contrastive or in complementary distribution and why you think so. If the two sounds are
contrastive, provide evidence why you think so. If the two sounds are in complementary distribution,
(a) specify the
distribution of allophones in a phonological rule and (b) be clear about what the underlying phoneme is
and why you
think so. Please show your work.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Part 4: East coast English phonology (20 pts)
Some East coast dialects have additional diphthongs in inventory, like [ʌj].
Argue if [ʌj] and [aj] are contrastive or in complementary distribution and why you think so. If the
two sounds are
contrastive, provide evidence why you think so. If the two sounds are in complementary distribution,
(a) specify the
distribution of allophones in a formal phonological rule and (b) be clear about what the underlying
phoneme is and
why you think so. Please show your work to assure at least partial credit.
1. [bʌjt ] ‘bite’
2. [tajm] ‘time’
3. [baj] ‘buy’
4. [rajd] ’ride’
5. [najnθ] ‘ninth’
6. [fajl] ‘file’
7. [wrʌjt] ‘write’
8. [bʌjk] ‘bike’
9. [fʌjt] ‘fight’
10. [taj] ‘tie’
11. [tʌjp] ‘type’
12. [rʌjs] ‘rice’
13 [rajz] ‘rise’
14. [fajr] ‘fire’
15. [lʌjf] ‘life’
16. [bajd] ‘bide’
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
