Phonetics as a science. Branches of phonetics

The study of the sound phenomena of L, in all their aspects and varieties. Phonetics as a branch of linguistics studies sounds in the broad sense, comprising segmental sounds (V/Cons) and prosodic phenomena (pitch, stress, tempo, pauses, rhythm). PH occupies itself with the study of the ways in which the sounds are organized into na system of unit and the variation of the units in all types and styles of spoken language. It also studies the acoustic properties of sound, the psychological basis of sound production and the sound phenomena that reveal the individual peculiarities of the speaker. Thus the sound medium has a special science all to itself because of the exclusive importance of oral (primary) speech as compared with written (secondary) speech. The sound medium needs special attention also because of the complex character of its production and perception. PH as a science is a branch of linguistics, it is at the same time closely connected with other linguistic sciences-grammar, lexicology, stylistics, history of language. It is also closely interconnected with physiology, biology, physics, pedagogy, psychology, math, cybernetics. PH has a long history. It was known to the ancient Greeks and Hindus. But as a science in its own right it began it develop in Russia and in Western Europe only in the second half of the 19^th century. Depending on which of sound phenomena is subdivided into 4 main branches. Articulatory: is concerned with the study of sound as a result of the activities of speech organs. It studies respiration, phonation, articulation and also the mental processes necessary for the mastery of a ph system. Perceptual: occupies itself wit the study of men’s perception of segmental sounds, pitch variation, loudness and duration. It studies th ways in which sound perception is determined by the ph system of a L. Acoustic: is concerned with the acoustics aspect of SS. It studies SS with the help of experimental methods. Phonology or functional ph: is a purely linguistic branch of ph. Phonology sets out to discover those segmental and prosodic features that have a differential value in language, and it establishes the system of phonemes and prosodemes. It also sets out to determine the frequency of occurrence of these units in syllables, words, rhythmic units and other sequences which from utterance. Special: is concerned with the study of the ph system of a concrete language. When the ph system is studied in its static form at a particular period, we deal with descriptive ph. When the system is studied in its hystorical development we speak about historical or evolutionary ph. General: is concerned with the study of men’s sound-producting possibilities and the functioning oh his speech mechanism. It establishes the types of SS which exist in various languages, the way they are produced and the role they play when forming and expressing thoughts. Theoretical: of a particular L applies those theories to the language it analyses. Comparative: is concerned with the comparative study of the ph systems of 2 or more L, especially kindred ones. Developmental: is concerned with the study of how children acquire the ph system of adult L. Practical: we mean all the practical applications of ph.

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