American English Phonetics (Phonics?) rules

Question

Hi,Would someone recommend an online resource, preferably free, or a (text)book that describes the phonetics rules of American English. To clarify, I'm looking for a list of rules that, for example, define that one reads book as "bûk", example as "ig'zampul" and so forth.I've heard of "Hooked-on-Phonics" and my impression was that it's targeted for children applying games, songs, etc. to help the children learn. I'm looking for something more "dry", something like a textbook.Thanks in advance

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hi, Would someone recommend an online resource, preferably free, or a (text)book that describes the phonetics rules of American English.To ... games, songs, etc. to help thechildren learn. I'm looking for something more "dry", something like a textbook. Thanks in advance[/nq]
I can't speak for American E, but aren't you asking the impossible? Aren't we always saying here that English has only a weak set of rules linking spelling and pronunciation? At a guess, I'd say that any linguistics-based textbook on the subject would be dry indeed, perhaps dauntingly lengthy, and very likely too complicated to be really useful.
I wonder if a dictionary intended for foreign learners would be the most likely source of a simplified system. You could have a prowl round the 'net using search terms such as "advanced learners". Maybe switch to one of the foreign Googles ending in .fr, .de, etc.

Otherwise, I'd say your best bet actually would be books aimed at teaching children to read. Perhaps somebody could recommend something like a teacher's handbook, which may be helpful.

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Would someone recommend an online resource, preferably free, or a (text)book that describes the phonetics rules of American English. To clarify, I'm looking for a list of rules that, for example, define that one reads book as "bûk", example as "ig'zampul" and so forth.[/nq]
You may be approaching language the wrong way round. There are no a priori rules how American English ought to be spoken. In actual use we hear pronunciations that tell us ABC is American and DEF is English and someone else is Australian: but no one nowadays treats those patterns as phonetic rules.
[nq:1]I've heard of "Hooked-on-Phonics" and my impression was that it's targeted for children applying games, songs, etc. to help the children learn. I'm looking for something more "dry", something like a textbook.[/nq]
American schools changed approx. 1965-1975 their methods of teaching reading and writing. Phonics is the general name for the method used 1865-1965 (which now seems a better teaching method than the fashions of the late 20th century.)

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I can't speak for American E, but aren't you asking the impossible?[/nq]
Hope not.

[nq:1]Aren't we always saying here that English has only a weak set of rules linking spelling and pronunciation?[/nq]
The set may be weak but still some core rules have to be present. That's what I'm looking for.
[nq:1]Otherwise, I'd say your best bet actually would be books aimed at teaching children to read. Perhaps somebody could recommend something like a teacher's handbook, which may be helpful.[/nq]
Maybe. Any titles you would recommend?
Thanks in advance

Usenet · Answer

I may be being obtuse here, but I assume you already know how to pronounce English your written language shows you're a native speaker or bilingual. That would mean that you already know the core rules; so you just want to find somewhere they're listed?
[nq:2]Otherwise, I'd say your best bet actually would ... could recommendsomething like a teacher's handbook, which may be helpful.[/nq]
[nq:1]Maybe. Any titles you would recommend?[/nq]
Afraid not: there were some books on pronunciation about when I was an EFL teacher, but I can't remember what they were I didn't bother with them. Some of our up-to-date ELT may come on line this evening, though. I don't know if any of our other teachers are primary-education specialists.

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I may be being obtuse here, but I assume you already know how to pronounce English your written language ... bilingual. That would mean that you already know the core rules; so you just want to find somewhere they're listed?[/nq]
Here's the story. I studied English in school as ESL, so I do know the core rules, mostly. There are two problems though:
1) I graduated school long time ago so I don't remember everything Istudied.
2) I studied British English (which is not a problem by itself but whenyou live in the US AND you have your own native language accent AND you studied British version of English - things may get tricky

).

In other words, I'm looking for AE pronunciation/phonetic rules to refresh my memory using American version of the rules.
[nq:1]Some of our up-to-date ELT may come on line this evening, though. I don't know if any of our other teachers are primary-education specialists.[/nq]
I'd interested to take a look, if possible. Thanks

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Here's the story. I studied English in school as ESL, so I do knowthe core rules, mostly. There are two ...

). In other words, I'm looking for AE pronunciation/phonetic rules to refresh my memory using American version of the rules.[/nq]
In that case, I wouldn't consider using any printed source. All you have to do is see some American films and TV, and talk to people. If you aren't in the US yet, then why not listen to Voice of America for a few days?
At least one of the American dictionaries on line has sound files for words you want to check. See:
http://www.m-w.com/

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In that case, I wouldn't consider using any printed source. All you have to do is see some American films and TV, and talk to people. If you aren't in the US yet, then why not listen to Voice of America for a few days?[/nq]
That will not help much, at least in my experience. This is the same, I think, as if someone would give you a solution to a problem instead of explaining how you can solve the problem yourself (i.e. by knowing and applying the rules).
Thanks

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]In that case, I wouldn't consider using any printed source. ... why not listen to Voice of Americafor a few days?[/nq]
[nq:1]That will not help much, at least in my experience. This is thesame, I think, as if someone would give you a solution to a probleminstead of explaining how you can solve the problem yourself (i.e. by knowing and applying the rules). Thanks[/nq]
In that case I misunderstood your problem. I thought you wanted to be able to understand American speech better. You mean you want to change your own? Even if that's necessary and I suspect it isn't you can't do it by learning rules. You do it in exactly the same way: by hearing and by speaking.
Most Americans pronounce the letter "r" in any position (as do very many British people, of course); almost all say something like British "ah" for the short "o"; almost all use a "@" in some of the unstressed syllables where most Brits have "I"; there's a strong tendency to use a "flap" a sort of "d" sound for "t" between vowels. I think those are all the most striking differences, but I suppose I must have missed a couple. I promise you'll pick up the local sounds almost unconsciously when you get there: stop worrying.

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]2) I studied British English (which is not a problem by itself but when you live in the US AND you have your own native language accent AND you studied British version of English - things may get tricky

).[/nq]
See if this is what you're looking for:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764173693/qid=1129160537/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Would someone recommend an online resource, preferably free, or a (text)book that describes the phonetics rules of American English. To clarify, I'm looking for a list of rules that, for example, define that one reads book as "bûk", example as "ig'zampul" and so forth.[/nq]
I think you might find that the Merriam Webster publication, "A Pronouncing Dictionary of American English" by Kenyon and Knott is just what you want. It notes various regional pronunciations, with other pertinent info. It uses the International Phonetic Alphabet, which it presents and explains very well.
John
PS It's not free, alas but it's not all that expensive either.

American English Phonetics (Phonics?) rules

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