JUNCTURE (Suprasegmental Phonemes)

JUNCTURE

DEFINITION

Juncture, in linguistics, is the manner of moving (transition) or mode of relationship between two consecutive sounds. It is the relationship between two successive syllables in speech. A juncture is formally, a supra segmental phonemic cue, a means by which a listener can distinguish between two otherwise identical sequences of sounds that have different meanings. So, we can get summary that Juncture is a pause or slight delay in a continuous flow of speech.

CLASSIFICATION OF JUNCTURE

Right, juncture get classification into two, there are :

v  CLOSE JUNCTURE – is movement from sound to sound which has no intervening pauses or delay.

v  OPEN JUNCTURE – is movement which is not continuous.  There is a slight stoppage of the last sound till it blends with the next. We also called this juncture as plus juncture.

Examples

CLOSE JUNCTURE

Close juncture also is the normal transition from one phoneme to the next within an utterance.

For example, in the word TR AIN, the close juncture is determined by the manner of transition / t/ to / r /.

OPEN JUNCTURE

It is a manner of transition which contrasts with close juncture. It keeps meanings apart. This is a manner of transition from one phoneme to the next in two utterances. Let's analyze the following pairs of phrases:

Ø  A NAME

Ø  AN AIM

Ø  NIGHT RATE

Ø  SHORE TRAIN

Ø  FOUR MET

Ø  IT SWINGS

Ø  MIGHT RAIN

Ø  ICE CREAM

Ø  NITRATE

Ø  SHORT RAIN

Ø  FORM ATE

Ø  ITS WINGS

Ø  MY TRAIN

Ø  I SCREAM

SYMBOLS OF JUNCTURES

1. SINGLE BAR JUNCTURE ( / )

Indicates the need for a slight pause between two thought groups in a sentence.

This is a terminal juncture that is marked by a sustention of the voice. This pause determines a change in the sense or meaning of the expression. Let's see these two questions:

EXAMPLE:

I CAN TELL MARY I CAN TELL, MARY

a ɪ +kæn + telmeri: # a ɪ +kæn + tel | meri:/

More Example :

*My teacher said / the doctor is pregnant.

(Who is pregnant?)

(Answer: The doctor)

*My teacher / said the doctor / is pregnant.

(Who is pregnant?)

(Answer : My Teacher)

2. DOUBLE BAR JUNCTURE ( // )

Indicates the need for a longer pause between two, thought groups in a sentence.

Examples :

*The first gentleman // Miguel Arroyo // is also known as Jose Smith.

*After eating, // the dogs all appeared satisfied.

3. DOUBLE CROSS JUNCTURE ( # )

Indicates a fading away into silence.

Example :

- Let’s go ! #

IN PAUSE BETWEEN CLAUSES

- To err is human; # to forgive is divine.

REFERENCES

·         http://www.slideshare.net/videoconferencias/english-pholonogy-ii-bimestre?related=1

·         http://neoenglishsystem.blogspot.com/2010/12/supra-segmental-phonemes-and-phonetics.html?m=1

·         Trask, R. L. (1996). A Dictionary of Phonetics and Phonology. Routledge. ISBN 9781134831005

·         Rajimwale, Sharad (2006). “Juncture”. Handbook Of Linguistic Terms. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 9788176256483

·         Kelly, Gerald. (2000. )How to Teach Pronountiation. PEARSON LONGMAN