SPOKEN ENGLISH : PHONETICS

 

English Vowel Sounds

English has 12 pure vowels (monophthongs) and 8 diphthongs.

Monophthongs (12 Pure Vowels):

1. /iː/ - as in seat
   Tamil equivalent: ஈ (as in ஈகை)

2. /ɪ/ - as in sit
   Tamil equivalent: இ (shorter than the Tamil இ sound)

3. /e/ - as in bed
   Tamil equivalent: Similar to எ (but slightly different)

4. /æ/ - as in cat
   Tamil equivalent: Between அ and ஐ (no exact Tamil equivalent, but closer to அ)

5. /ɑː/ - as in car
   Tamil equivalent: ஆ (as in ஆடு)

6. /ʌ/ - as in cup
   Tamil equivalent: Similar to அ (shorter sound)

7. /ɔː/ - as in saw
   Tamil equivalent: Similar to ஓ (as in ஓட்டம்)

8. /ɒ/ - as in cot
   Tamil equivalent: Similar to short அ (but slightly different)

9. /ʊ/ - as in foot
   Tamil equivalent: உ (but shorter)

10. /uː/ - as in food
    Tamil equivalent: ஊ (as in ஊமை)

11. /ə/ - as in sofa (schwa)
    Tamil equivalent: Similar to அ (neutral sound)

12. /ɜː/ - as in bird
    Tamil equivalent: Similar to ஐ, but more extended (no direct Tamil equivalent)

Diphthongs (8 Combination Vowels):

1. /eɪ/ - as in say
   Tamil equivalent: ஐ (as in ஐயா)

2. /aɪ/ - as in buy
   Tamil equivalent: அ + ஐ (closer to ஐ)

3. /ɔɪ/ - as in boy
   Tamil equivalent: ஒய் (as in ஓய்)

4. /aʊ/ - as in now
   Tamil equivalent: அவ் (as in அவன்)

5. /əʊ/ - as in go
   Tamil equivalent: ஓ (as in ஓட்டம்)

6. /ɪə/ - as in here
   Tamil equivalent: யீ + அ (as in யீறு)

7. /eə/ - as in air
   Tamil equivalent: ஏ + அ (as in ஏரல்)

8. /ʊə/ - as in tour
   Tamil equivalent: உ + அ (as in உறை)

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English Consonant Sounds (24)

1. /p/ - as in pen
   Tamil equivalent: ப (as in பல்)

2. /b/ - as in bat
   Tamil equivalent: ப (voiced form, as in பலம்)

3. /t/ - as in top
   Tamil equivalent: ட (as in தமிழ்)

4. /d/ - as in dog
   Tamil equivalent: ட/த (as in தடி)

5. /k/ - as in cat
   Tamil equivalent: க (as in கல்)

6. /g/ - as in go
   Tamil equivalent: க (voiced, as in கஞ்சி)

7. /f/ - as in fan
   Tamil equivalent: ப் (aspirated, as in பை)

8. /v/ - as in van
   Tamil equivalent: வ (as in வானம்)

9. /θ/ - as in think
   Tamil equivalent: No exact equivalent; closest to த (soft)

10. /ð/ - as in this
    Tamil equivalent: No exact equivalent; voiced version of த

11. /s/ - as in sit
    Tamil equivalent: ச (as in சரி)

12. /z/ - as in zoo
    Tamil equivalent: ச (voiced, but no exact Tamil equivalent)

13. /ʃ/ - as in she
    Tamil equivalent: ச (as in சிசு, but softer)

14. /ʒ/ - as in measure
    Tamil equivalent: No exact equivalent; voiced version of ச

15. /tʃ/ - as in church
    Tamil equivalent: ச் + ச (as in சச்சை)

16. /dʒ/ - as in judge
    Tamil equivalent: ச + voiced ஜ (as in ஜட்டி)

17. /m/ - as in man
    Tamil equivalent: ம (as in மண்)

18. /n/ - as in net
    Tamil equivalent: ந (as in நதி)

19. /ŋ/ - as in sing
    Tamil equivalent: ங (as in சங்கம்)

Short Vowels:

1. /ɪ/ (as in sit):

   • Tamil equivalent: இ (as in இல்)
   • Produced by slightly spreading the lips, tongue raised towards the front.

2. /e/ (as in bed):

   • Tamil equivalent: எ (as in எம்)
   • Lips slightly open, tongue near mid-level.

3. /æ/ (as in cat):

   • Tamil equivalent: அ (as in அம் but wider open)
   • Open mouth, tongue low and forward.

4. /ʌ/ (as in cup):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent (close to அ in அம்மா)
   • Central, relaxed mouth position.

5. /ɒ/ (as in hot - British):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஆ (as in ஆண்)
   • Open lips, tongue back.

6. /ʊ/ (as in book):

   • Tamil equivalent: உ (as in உம் but shorter)
   • Lips rounded, tongue raised slightly.

7. /ə/ (Schwa, as in sofa):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, a relaxed, neutral sound.
   • Tongue in the middle, very relaxed.

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Long Vowels:

1. /iː/ (as in see):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஈ (as in ஈர்)
   • Lips spread, tongue forward and high.

2. /ɑː/ (as in father):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஆ (as in ஆகா)
   • Open mouth, tongue low and back.

3. /ɔː/ (as in saw):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஓ (as in ஓம்)
   • Lips rounded, tongue back.

4. /uː/ (as in boot):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஊ (as in ஊர்)
   • Lips tightly rounded, tongue raised.

5. /ɜː/ (as in bird):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, central sound.
   • Lips slightly rounded, tongue towards the middle.

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Diphthongs (Gliding Vowels):

1. /eɪ/ (as in say):

   • Tamil equivalent: எ + ஐ (as in ஐயம்)
   • Start with /e/, glide to /ɪ/.

2. /aɪ/ (as in my):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஐ (as in ஐயா)
   • Start with /a/, glide to /ɪ/.

3. /ɔɪ/ (as in boy):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஒ + ஐ
   • Start with /ɔ/, glide to /ɪ/.

4. /aʊ/ (as in now):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, close to ஆ + உ
   • Start with /a/, glide to /ʊ/.

5. /əʊ/ (as in go - British):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஓ (as in ஓர்)
   • Start with /ə/, glide to /ʊ/.

6. /ɪə/ (as in here):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, glide between இ + அ
   • Start with /ɪ/, glide to /ə/.

7. /eə/ (as in there):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, close to எ + அ
   • Start with /e/, glide to /ə/.

8. /ʊə/ (as in sure):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, glide between உ + அ
   • Start with /ʊ/, glide to /ə/.

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CONSONANT SOUNDS IN ENGLISH (24 Sounds)

English consonants can be tricky due to the aspirated and unaspirated nature, which doesn't exist in Tamil. However, the following will guide you in producing them.

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Plosive (Stop) Consonants:

1. /p/ (as in pen):

   • Tamil equivalent: ப (as in பல்)
   • Lips come together and release air.

2. /b/ (as in bat):

   • Tamil equivalent: ப (as in படம்)
   • Lips come together but voiced with vibration.

3. /t/ (as in ten):

   • Tamil equivalent: த (as in தாய்)
   • Tip of tongue touches behind upper teeth.

4. /d/ (as in dog):

   • Tamil equivalent: த (as in தன்)
   • Tongue touches behind teeth, with voice.

5. /k/ (as in cat):

   • Tamil equivalent: க (as in கல்)
   • Back of tongue touches the soft palate, releases air.

6. /g/ (as in go):

   • Tamil equivalent: க (as in காண்)
   • Same as /k/ but voiced.

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Fricative Consonants:

1. /f/ (as in fan):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent (pronounced like ப, use lower lip and upper teeth).
   • Lips and teeth come close, air friction.

2. /v/ (as in van):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, close to வ.
   • Use lower lip and upper teeth, but voiced.

3. /θ/ (as in think):

   • Tamil equivalent: No equivalent, pronounced by placing the tongue between teeth.

4. /ð/ (as in this):

   • Tamil equivalent: No equivalent, voiced version of /θ/.

5. /s/ (as in sun):

   • Tamil equivalent: ச (as in சல்)
   • Air through narrow gap between tongue and top of mouth.

6. /z/ (as in zoo):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, pronounced with vibration.
   • Like /s/ but voiced.

7. /ʃ/ (as in she):

   • Tamil equivalent: ச (as in சேது but softer)
   • Air through a narrow gap in the middle of the mouth.

8. /ʒ/ (as in measure):

   • Tamil equivalent: No direct equivalent, similar to Tamil ழ.
   • Voiced version of /ʃ/.

9. /h/ (as in hat):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஹ (as in ஹாய்)
   • Air released through the throat.

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Affricate Consonants:

1. /tʃ/ (as in chop):

   • Tamil equivalent: ச (as in சரிபார்)
   • Begins as /t/ and releases into /ʃ/.

2. /dʒ/ (as in job):

   • Tamil equivalent: ஜ (as in ஜான்)
   • Starts as /d/ and moves to /ʒ/.

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Nasal Consonants:

1. /m/ (as in man):

   • Tamil equivalent: ம (as in மான்)
   • Lips together, sound through the nose.

2. /n/ (as in no):

   • Tamil equivalent: ந (as in நல்)
   • Tongue touches the upper teeth, sound through the nose.

3. /ŋ/ (as in sing):

   • Tamil equivalent: ங (as in சங்கு)
   • Back of the tongue touches the soft palate, nasal sound.

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Approximant Consonants:

1. /r/ (as in run):

   • Tamil equivalent: ர (as in ராம்)
   • Tongue slightly raised, lips rounded.

2. /l/ (as in lip):

   • Tamil equivalent: ல (as in லம்)
   • Tongue touches the alveolar ridge.

3. /w/ (as in wet):

   • Tamil equivalent: வ (as in வனம்)
   • Lips rounded, voiced sound.

4. /j/ (as in yes):

   • Tamil equivalent: ய (as in யாம்)
   • Tongue close to the roof of the mouth.

ஆங்கிலத்தில் உள்ள அனைத்து ஒலிகளும்

ஆங்கிலத்தில் உள்ள ஒலிகள் பின்வருமாறு வகைப்படுத்தப்படுகின்றன:

உயிர் ஒலிகள் (Vowel Sounds)

1. முன் உயிர்கள் (Front Vowels):
   • /i:/ (beat) - "பீட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ɪ/ (bit) - "பிட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /e/ (bed) - "பெட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /æ/ (bat) - "பாட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
2. நடுத்துறை உயிர்கள் (Central Vowels):
   • /ʌ/ (cup) - "கப்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ə/ (about) - "அபவுட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
3. பின் உயிர்கள் (Back Vowels):
   • /ɑ:/ (father) - "பாதர்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ɒ/ (got) - "காட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ɔ:/ (caught) - "காட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /u:/ (boot) - "பூட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ʊ/ (book) - "புக்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது

மெய் ஒலிகள் (Consonant Sounds)

1. உயிர்மெய்கள் (Voiced Consonants):
   • /b/ (bat) - "பாட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /d/ (dog) - "டாக்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /g/ (get) - "கெட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /v/ (van) - "வான்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ð/ (this) - "தீஸ்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /z/ (zoo) - "ஸூ" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ʒ/ (vision) - "விஷன்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /r/ (red) - "ரெட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /l/ (leg) - "லெக்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /w/ (wet) - "வெட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /j/ (yes) - "யெஸ்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
2. மெய்மெய்கள் (Voiceless Consonants):
   • /p/ (pen) - "பென்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /t/ (top) - "டாப்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /k/ (cat) - "காட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /f/ (fan) - "பான்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /θ/ (thin) - "தின்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /s/ (sun) - "சன்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /ʃ/ (shoe) - "ஷூ" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /h/ (hat) - "ஹாட்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /tʃ/ (chair) - "சேர்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
   • /dʒ/ (jump) - "ஜம்ப்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது

இரட்டை உயிர்கள் (Diphthongs)

1. /eɪ/ (face) - "பேஸ்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
2. /aɪ/ (time) - "டைம்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
3. /ɔɪ/ (boy) - "பாய்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
4. /aʊ/ (now) - "நவு" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
5. /əʊ/ (go) - "கோ" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
6. /ɪə/ (near) - "நியர்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
7. /eə/ (fair) - "பேர்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது
8. /ʊə/ (cure) - "கியூர்" என்பதற்கு ஒப்பானது

Front, Central, and Back Vowels in English

1. Front Vowels:
Front vowels are produced with the highest point of the tongue raised towards the front of the mouth. They are characterized by their unrounded lips and are typically more tense than back vowels. In English, there are four primary front vowels:

• /i/ as in "see" (உள்ளது)
• /ɪ/ as in "bit" (பிட்)
• /e/ as in "bed" (படுக்கை)
• /æ/ as in "bat" (பாட்)

These vowels are arranged from high to low based on tongue height, with /i/ being the highest and /æ/ being the lowest.2. Central Vowels:
Central vowels are articulated with the tongue positioned midway between front and back vowels. They can be either rounded or unrounded, but they typically have a neutral lip position. The primary central vowels in English include:

• /ə/ (schwa) as in "about" (அபவுட்) – often occurs in unstressed syllables.
• /ʌ/ as in "cup" (கப்) – used in stressed syllables.

The schwa sound is particularly significant as it represents the most neutral vowel sound in English.3. Back Vowels:
Back vowels are produced with the tongue raised towards the back of the mouth, typically involving rounded lips. There are six main back vowels in English:

• /u/ as in "food" (உணவு)
• /ʊ/ as in "book" (புக்)
• /o/ as in "go" (கோ)
• /ɔ/ as in "thought" (சிந்தனை)
• /ɑ/ as in "father" (தந்தை)

Back vowels can also be categorized based on their height and lip rounding, with /u/ being high and rounded, while /ɑ/ is low and unrounded.

Vowels

English Sound	Tamil Representation	Example (English)	Example (Tamil)
/i:/	ஈ	see	சீ
/ɪ/	இ	bit	பிட்
/e/	எ	bed	படுக்கை
/æ/	அ	bat	பாட்
/ʌ/	அ	cup	கப்
/ə/	அ	about	அபவுட்
/ɔ:/	ஓ	thought	சிந்தனை
/oʊ/	ஓ	go	கோ
/u:/	ஊ	food	உணவு
/ʊ/	உ	book	புக்
/ɑ:/	ஆ	father	தந்தை

Consonants

English Sound	Tamil Representation	Example (English)	Example (Tamil)
/p/	ப	pen	பென்
/b/	ப்	bat	பட்
/t/	ட	top	டாப்
/d/	ட்	dog	டாக்
/k/	க	cat	காட்
/g/	க்	get	கிடை
/f/	ஃ	fan	பான்
/v/	வ	van	வான்
/θ/	த	thin	தின்
/ð/	த்	this	தீஸ்
/s/	ச	sun	சன்
/z/	ஸ	zoo	சூ
/ʃ/	ஷ	shoe	ஷூ
/ʒ/	ஜ	vision	விஷன்
/h/	ஹ	hat	ஹாட்
/m/	ம	man	மனிதன்
/n/	ந	night	இரவு
/ŋ/	ங்	sing	சிங்கு

Diphthongs

Diphthongs are combinations of two vowel sounds within the same syllable. Here are some examples:

English Diphthong	Tamil Representation	Example (English)
/aɪ/	ஐ	my
/eɪ/	ஏ	say
/ɔɪ/	ஒய்	boy
/aʊ/	அவ்	now
/oʊ/	ஓ	go