Oral English Lecture: Emphatic Stress, Consonants & Vowels
1. EMPHATIC STRESS
Definition: Emphatic stress is the extra force or emphasis placed on a particular word in a sentence to show importance, contrast, correction, or emotion.
LAWS / RULES OF EMPHATIC STRESS
1. Stress for Contrast
Used to show difference between two ideas.
I said BLUE pen, not BLACK pen.
He bought a CAR, not a BIKE.
2. Stress for Correction
Used when correcting someone.
She is my SISTER, not my cousin.
We met on MONDAY, not Tuesday.
3. Stress to Show Strong Emotion
Used to express anger, surprise, excitement, etc.
I am REALLY tired!
That was ABSOLUTELY amazing!
4. Stress on New Information
New or important information in a sentence receives stress.
I bought a NEW phone.
She lives in LAGOS.
5. Stress to Emphasize Auxiliary Verbs (for contradiction)
I DO understand you.
She DID complete the work.
6. Stress Changes Meaning
Changing stress changes meaning.
I didn’t say he stole the money.
(Stress on different words changes meaning.)
2. CONSONANT SOUNDS
Definition: Consonant sounds are speech sounds produced with obstruction or blockage of airflow.
English Has 24 Consonant Sounds
Plosive Sounds
/p/ /b/ /t/ /d/ /k/ /g/
pen, bag, ten, dog, cat, go
Fricative Sounds
/f/ /v/ /θ/ /ð/ /s/ /z/ /ʃ/ /ʒ/ /h/
fan, van, think, this, sun, zoo, ship, measure, hat
Affricates
/tʃ/ /dʒ/
chair, judge
Nasal Sounds
/m/ /n/ /ŋ/
man, net, sing
Lateral Sound
/l/
light
Approximants
/r/ /w/ /j/
red, wet, yes
3. VOWEL SOUNDS
Definition: Vowel sounds are speech sounds produced without obstruction of airflow.
English Has 20 Vowel Sounds
Short Vowels (12)
/ɪ/ /e/ /æ/ /ʌ/ /ɒ/ /ʊ/ /ə/ and others
sit, bed, cat, cup, hot, put, about
Long Vowels (5)
/iː/ /ɑː/ /ɔː/ /uː/ /ɜː/
see, car, door, food, bird
Diphthongs (8)
/eɪ/ /aɪ/ /ɔɪ/ /əʊ/ /aʊ/ /ɪə/ /eə/ /ʊə/
face, time, boy, go, now, here, hair, tour
Importance of Correct Vowel Pronunciation
ship ≠ sheep
full ≠ fool
hat ≠ heart
4. SUMMARY
- Emphatic stress gives importance and changes meaning.
- English has 24 consonant sounds.
- English has 20 vowel sounds (short, long, diphthongs).
- Correct pronunciation improves communication.