Any unaccented syllables at the beginning of an intonation phrase.

Pronunciation GB: ˌɔːltəˈneɪʃn, GA: ˌɑltərˈneɪʃn A term used to denote the relationship between variant forms of the same linguistic unit. An example of a three-term alternation is the regular plural [..]

A concept in autosegmental phonology. Units on one tier of a phonological representation may be associated to units on another tier. This is represented diagrammatically by association lines linking t [..]

A local, stepwise lowering of pitch at specific accents. Unlike declination, downstep is not a property of the complete intonation phrase but of each particular accent. The notion of downstep derives [..]

A category of speech error which involves the swapping of components of the syllable between two words. Example: crooks and nannies for nooks and crannies. The error is named after the Reverend Willia [..]

See hearing mechanism.

The perceptual impression made by a vowel sound. The articulatory determinants of vowel quality are usually reckoned to be tongue height, location of the high point of the tongue and lip position. Oth [..]

In most varieties of English some function words (prepositions, auxiliary verbs, pronouns, conjunctions) have two or more different pronunciations. The weak form is that typically used when the word i [..]

One of the types of intonational accent proposed for English by Bolinger (1958). The pitch pattern of this accent is a fall from the accented syllable. A-accent marks the place of primary focus. Bolin [..]

Abbreviation for African American Vernacular English.