how much major ways in which English sounds are joined and linked?

Question

how much major ways in which English sounds are joined and linked?

can some one explain it please

Answer 1

We have two major ways of linking sounds:

consonant > vowel

vowel > vowel

This site explains it more thorougly.

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/linking.htm

Answer 2

Sure! There are two major ways in which English sounds are joined and linked: assimilation and elision.

1. Assimilation: This occurs when sounds change their pronunciation to become more similar to neighboring sounds. There are two common types of assimilation:

- Regressive assimilation: In this type, a sound is influenced by a sound that comes after it. For example, in the phrase "handbag," the /n/ sound in "hand" assimilates and becomes a /m/ sound because of the following /b/ sound, resulting in "hamdbag."

- Progressive assimilation: In this type, a sound is influenced by a sound that comes before it. For example, in the phrase "big apple," the /g/ sound in "big" assimilates and becomes a /ŋ/ sound because of the preceding /ŋ/ sound in "ng" (as in "sing"), resulting in "biŋ apple."

2. Elision: This occurs when sounds are omitted or dropped altogether in connected speech. It is commonly observed in fast, informal, or casual speech. Some examples of elision include:

- Consonant cluster reduction: When two or more consonant sounds occur together, one or more of them may be omitted. For example, in the word "asked," the /s/ sound may be omitted, resulting in "askt."

- Weak vowel and unstressed syllable deletion: In connected speech, weak vowels (e.g., schwa /ə/) and unstressed syllables are often skipped. For example, in the phrase "I am going to the store," the weak vowel /ə/ in "to" and the unstressed syllable in "to the" may be elided, resulting in "I'm goin' tuh store."

To summarize, English sounds are joined and linked through assimilation, where sounds change their pronunciation to become more similar to neighboring sounds, and elision, where sounds are omitted or dropped in connected speech. These processes help create the natural flow and rhythm of spoken English.