Segmental vs. Suprasegmental

Segmental vs. Suprasegmental

1. If we investigate phonetic or phonological detail in this way, we are working on the segmental level

   • Segmental level
     • Each phoneme is a segment of speech

2. Suprasegmental phonetics & phonology represent fairly complex areas of research

3. Word Stress

   • In polysyllabic words, one or more syllables tend to have a higher emphasis on them than others
   • It is used to distinguish between homograph verbs and nouns, such as / ˈpɜ: mɪt / and / pəˈmɪt /.
   • Examples
     • Present
     • Export
     • TAble

4. Intonation

   • In intonation, the frequency of vibration of the vocal folds is modulated in order to achieve particular effects on the speaker
   • May convey boredom
   • Serve to distinguish between syntactic units of declarative/imperative vs. interrogative nature
     • The ‘declarative’ types are often assumed to be signalled by a falling intonation contour
     • Whereas a rising contour is said to convey an interrogative character,