Initial consonant clusters

Theoretical background

English speech is characterised by linking, that means that the sounds within a word and words within a phrase are pronounced together with no pause or interval between them. When we have two or more consonants together we call them a consonant cluster. They can be found at the beginning, in the middle, at the end of words and at a word boundary. When two sounds are pronounced together they can influence each other in different ways. The process when one consonant becomes in some way similar to an adjacent /q'GeIsqnt/ consonant is called assimilation /qsImI'leISn/. If the second consonant is changed under the influence of the first (the preceding) one it is progressive /prqV'gresIv/ assimilation. If the first consonant is changed because of the influence on it by the second (the following) one it is regressive /rI'gresIv/ assimilation.

Initial two-consonant clusters are of two sorts in English:

1) /s/ followed by one of the following consonants /p, t, k, f, m, n, l, w, j/;

2) one of the consonants (except /s/) followed by /l, r, w, j/.

· When /s/ precedes /p, t, k/ they lose their aspiration (st ar, sp ear, sk y).

2.1.1 Voiceless consonants + /n, m, l, r, w, j/

In the clusters of any voiceless consonant with the sounds /n, m, l, r, w, j/partial or complete devoicing of the second sound takes place, i.e. progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords can be observed here.

· /n, m, l, r, w, j/ become completely devoiced after /p, t, k/ in a stressed syllable (pl eI, tj Hn, kw Ik). Notice that when /l, r, w, j/ follow /p, t, k/ they become slightly fricative, i.e. some friction is heard when we pronounce them.

· They become partially devoiced:

- after /p, t, k/ in an unstressed syllable or at a word boundary (pr I'peq, 'rI tn, 'hel p m I);

- after /sp, st, sk/ (spr eI, stj H, skw eq);

- after any voiceless friction consonant /s, f, S, T, h/(sm aIl, fj H, Sr Jk, Tr J, ' hj Hmq).

2.1.2 Combinations of alveolar consonants /t, d/ with /r/

In these clusters regressive assimilation affecting the place and the manner of articulation takes place. Under the influence of the post-alveolar /r/, the alveolar consonants /t, d/become post-alveolar, too (tr aI, dr Jm), they are pronounced with the tip of the tongue close to the back of the alveolar ridge.

Besides, in /tr/there is progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords: /r/becomes partially or completely devoiced.

So, in /tr/we have double (reciprocal /rI'sIprqkql/ ) assimilation.

2.1.3 Combinations of dental consonants /T, D/ with /r/

In these clusters progressive assimilation affecting the place and the manner of articulation takes place. Under the influence of the dental /T, D/ the post-alveolar /r/is replaced by an alveolar tap or a flapped variety of /r/ (Tr J, wI D r eIn) - a single short tap is made by the tip of the tongue on the alveolar ridge.

Besides, in /Tr/there is partial devoicing of /r/, i.e. progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords takes place.

So, in /Tr/we have double assimilation.

2.1.4 Combination of consonants with /w/

/w/influences the preceding consonant and it becomes lip-rounded or labialized, i.e. regressive assimilation affecting the position of the lips takes place (dw el, sw etq).

When /w / is preceded by a voiceless consonant, /w/ becomes partially or completely devoiced i.e. progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords takes place (tw Ist, sw Hp, kw aIt).

Thus, in clusters /tw, kw, sw/ double (reciprocal) assimilation takes place.

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