2023 English Language Metalanguage Glossary - Phonology

Phonology	Prosodic	Features
Term	Definition	Possible Functions	Examples
Pitch	The degree of highness or lowness of a tone (generally one's voice) (low - high)	​*same basic function as intonation*	*see intonation*
Stress	The length, emphasis, and added force to syllables	Change in word class, add emotion, highlight, contrast. Indicated by (__) or (^) on transcript.	Should I go take out the trash (should they be the one to do it) vs Should i go take out the trash (should they take out something else)
Volume	The loudness of one's voice in regards to sound produced (soft - loud)	​Loud volume (indicated by F) can add emphasis, add a sense of emotion, and can invite one to take the floor. Soft volume (indicated by P) can signify a lack of importance, or to add sensitivity.	​<P shhh P>
Tempo	The speed at which one speaks (slow - fast)	​Fast tempo can function as an indication of a lack of importance or excitement and is represented as (A), whilst slow tempo (L) can both represent emphasis or tranquility.	​<L you must understand this L>
​Intonation	The variation of pitch in speech	​Rising (/) or Questioning (?) can ask questions or express anticipation or hand over the floor. Continuing intonation (,) holds the floor, whilst a falling (\) or final (.) intonation can indicate the end of a turn.	​Elizabeth did it\ vs Elizabeth did it?
Phonology	Vocal	Effects
Term	Definition	Possible Functions	Examples
Coughs	A forced exhale, often sudden	When consciously can either be disagreement or interjecting	*Cough* Anyway...
Breath	Inhalation and exhalation	Sharp breath - shock. Slow breath - present calmness, or to hold the floor. Inhalation (H) - emphasis	I'd like to let you know that (H), I will be transferring to a new job
Laughter	Vocal expression of amusement	To demonstrate amusement	​A: Why couldn't the pony sing the lullaby? She was a little horse B: @@@
Phonology	Connected	Speech
Term	Definition	Possible Functions	Examples
Assimilation	Combining neighbouring speech sounds	For ease of pronunciation To mirror speech patterns in written forms	​bet you -> bechu bɛtju -> bɛtʃu
Vowel Reduction	When unstressed vowels are reduced (often to 'schwa' [ə]), or omitted all together	^
Elision	Omission of sounds	^	camera -> kamra
Insertion	Addition of sounds	^
Phonology		Phonological Patterning	Example:
aliteration	​same initial consonant sound in a sequence of words	create harmony/draw attention
assonance	identical vowel sounds across a series of words	same
consonance	​repetition of consonant sounds (particularly at end of words)	same
onomatopeia	sounds is similar to the words meaning	be more expressive
rhythym	pattern of syllables in a text function	create harmony / movement
rhyme	repetition of sounds at end of words	same