Final consonant clusters

Sequences of three consonants initially

These are combinations of the two types described above (spr eI, skw eq, stj Hdnt). The /s/ at the beginning is cut off by the following stop consonant, and during the pronunciation of this stop the following consonant is fully prepared. The influence of the three consonants on each other in these clusters is similar to that in two-consonant clusters.

Sequences of consonants at the end of words are more varied than at the beginning mainly because /s, z/ are added to most nouns to make their plural forms, and /t, d/ are added to most verbs to make their past forms, also /T/ can be added to numerals.

2.2.1 Stop + stop

When we have a cluster of 2 stop consonants, we start pronouncing the first consonant by making a closure for this sound in our mouth. Then without releasing the air we put the speech organs in the position for the second stop consonant thus making the second closure. So at the same time we have two closures in our mouth. The air cannot go out after the first stop consonant so it loses its explosion and becomes incomplete. We hear only one explosion after the 2^nd consonant. This phenomenon is called loss of plosion (e.g. sle pt, bI g b OI, le kC q, etc.). It happens whenever one stop consonant (except /C, G/) is followed immediately by another, not only at the end of words but also in the middle of words or between words. For /C, G/ the friction part is never missing, so they should always be complete (wI C C eq, lR G g Rdn).

When we have 2 stop consonants having the same place of articulation (e.g. sto p p eering, goo d t eacher) we hold the closure for them for double the usual time. So the first stop consonant does not have an explosion, too.

When we have the cluster of the strong-weak pair (e.g. be d t ime, bi g c astle) the force of articulation also changes from strong to weak or vice versa.

If three stop consonants come together (e.g. /sle pt b xdlI/), there is still one explosion, that of the third consonant. The first consonant is formed and held for longer than usual, the second consonant disappears, and the third is pronounced normally.

2.2.2 Stop + nasal

When we have a cluster of a stop consonant /t, d, p, b, k, g/ with the nasal consonants /m, n/ the explosion of a stop happens through the nose. So the nasal plosion takes place. We start pronouncing a stop consonant by raising the soft palate and making a closure for the air in our mouth. But then instead of releasing the closure we start forming the nasal consonant by putting the tip of the tongue to the alveolar ridge for /n/, or by closing the two lips for /m/ (or we leave the speech organs in the same position if the stop consonant and the nasal consonant have the same place of articulation). Then we just lower the soft palate and the explosion of the stop consonant goes through the nose (a dm ire, no t m ine, par tn er).

Besides, in clusters of the voiceless stop consonants with /m, n/ some devoicing of the nasal consonants takes place (progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords).

2.2.3 Stop + lateral

When we have a cluster of a stop consonant /t, d, p, b, k, g/ with the lateral consonant /l/ the lateral plosion takes place. We make the closure for a stop consonant in our mouth and then without releasing the air we raise the tip of the tongue to the alveolar ridge for /l/ (or we just lower the sides of the tongue if the first consonant is /t/ or /d/). And we hear the explosion of a stop consonant when we pronounce /l/ as the air goes along the sides of the tongue (ta bl e, goo d l uck, ba dl y).

If /l/ is preceded by a voiceless stop consonant, it becomes partially or completely devoiced (progressive assimilation affecting the work of the vocal cords).

2.2.4 Consonants + /s, z/

Because of the way in which regular plurals are formed in English there are very many sequences of a consonant followed by /s, z/. All these clusters should be pronounced together without any pause or interval between the sounds. But clusters of stop consonants followed by /s, z/ are of special interest.

When we have a cluster of a stop consonant /t, d, p, b, k, g/ with the fricative consonants /s, z/ the fricative plosion takes place. We start producing a stop consonant and then instead of letting the air out, we put our speech organs in the position necessary for /s, z/. So we hear the explosion of a stop consonant when we pronounce /s, z/ and all the air goes through a narrow opening in our mouth (ca ts, u ps ide, thin k s o, ba gs).

2.2.5 Alveolar consonants + /T, D/

When we have a cluster of the alveolar consonants /t, d, n, l/ with the dental consonants /T, D/ regressive assimilation affecting the place of articulation takes place. Normally these alveolar consonants are made with the tip of the tongue on the alveolar ridge. But when they are followed by /T, D/ they are made with the tongue-tip touching the back of the upper front teeth. So we say that the alveolar consonants /t, d, n, l/ are represented by their dental variants (te nT, kL l D qm).

2.2.6 /l/ + consonant

Various consonants may follow /l/. We have already discussed clusters /l/ + /T, D/. Before any consonant /l/ will be dark and the following consonant will be formed while /l/ is being pronounced. /l/ is never syllabic in these clusters (he lp, mi lk, fi lm, etc.).

2.2.7 Nasal + consonant

We have already dealt with nasal consonants followed by /T, D/. There are many other different consonants which may follow /m, n, N/. Usually the organs of speech in such clusters are exactly or almost exactly in the same position for the nasal as for the second consonant (se ns, hA nt, mA nC, SrI mp, 'traIq mf, Tx Nk, 'fI Ng q, etc.).

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