Vowels in stressed syllables of a content word are usually pronounced in the same way whether they are made prominent or not (see also Unit 10): A: Is she a DOCtor? /dokt∂/ B: NO, her SISter's a doctor. /dokt∂/ The vowel in a one-syllable content word doesn't change itspronunciation, although the vowel in a one-syllable function word can(see Unit 21): content word: It's a big CAT. /big/ It's really BIG. /big/ function word: It's for you. /f∂/ but: WHAT'S it FOR? /fo:/
However, the vowels in unstressed syllables of a content word can varya lot. In slow, careful speech the vowel may have its full form, butin normal speech these vowels are often reduced to /∂/ (or sometimes for /ι/). For example, 'calendar' can be said /kælιnd∂/ or /kæl∂nd∂/; the second vowel varies from /ι/ to /∂/. Here are some more words which have variable vowels in unstressed syllables.
/æ/ to /∂/ accelerate accept cassette /o:/ to /∂/ forbid forever corridor
/υ/ to /∂/ calculate documentary regular
/aι/ to /∂/ or /ι/ director dilemma financial
/∂υ/ to /∂/ omit proclaim microcosm
/ι/ to /∂/ begin hopeless effective
/o/ to /∂/ comparison complain concise
Notice also the common ending-ity: /ιti/ to /∂ti/ ability scarcity density security
It is not essential to reduce these vowels in your own speech in orderto be understood, although reduced vowels usually sound more naturaland fluent.
Important for listening! In some words, when an unstressed syllable ending in a vowel isfollowed by another unstressed syllable beginning with a vowel, the twosyllables may merge into one. This only happens in normal speech; inslow, careful speech both syllables are said: slow speech: casual /kæ3.ju.el/ = three syllables normal speech: casual /kæ3.j∂l/ = two syllables
Other words like this include: virtual, actual, adverbial, colonial, studious, obedient, ingredient, gradient
1 musician 2 director 3 December 4 minute ( = tiny) 5 ambulance 6 cricket 7 hotel 8 vocabulary 9 Mongolia 10 corridor 11 consent 12 airport
She's a musician in an orchestra. He's a company director. Her birthday's in December. The painting was minute. The ambulance came immediately. I play cricket every weekend. We stayed in a smart hotel. I'm terrible at learning vocabulary. She's from Mongolia. Her office is across the corridor. He gave his consent. We live near the airport.
Now listen again and repeat, first the words alone and then the sentences with the words in context.
You will hear short definitions. After each definition, press'pause', choose an answer from the box and say it aloud. (Use slow,careful speech.) When you press 'play' again you will hear the correctanswer.
Use the words from exercise 2 to complete these sentences. Key. Example: The graph goes from zero to infinity . (/ιn'fιn∂ti/) 1 I was late again and my boss was __________ with me. 2 He was a __________ boy who was happiest when he was reading. 3 Since he appeared on TV he's become a bit of a __________. 4 The country used to be an important __________ power. 5 The __________ of people didn't bother to vote in the election. 6 I want you to underline the __________ in each sentence. 7 Honey's the main __________ in the sauce. 8 Just out of __________, how old are your sisters? 9 It seemed to defy the laws of __________. 10 Because of the snow, we were __________ prisoners in our own home.
Now say the sentences aloud (with the words you have written pronouncedas in normal speech). Then listen and check your answers.
Follow up: Thinkabout how you pronounce the words listed in В opposite. Which of thevowels indicated for the unstressed syllable do you normally use?
Чтобы не быть зависимыми от городской сети электроснабжения, многие приобретают генератори, которые используют в качестве как резервных, так и постоянных источников питания. Организуйте бесперебойное электроснабжение на Вашем предприятии, в магазине, банке, офисе, гараже или доме.