A Phonology-based Study: English Pronunciation Inconsistency
Abstract
English is not a one-to-one relationship between letters and pronunciation. There is mostly no correspondence between written word and spoken word. English pronunciation inconsistency made EFL learners erroneous while pronouncing. This phonology-based study discussed the English pronunciation inconsistency qualitatively. It identified the inconsistency of vowels and consonants pronounced in words and the areas of English pronunciation inconsistency. This study applied Yule, Finegan, and Kelly’s theories. <a> is sounded as /eI/ /@/ /æ/ /A:/ /O:/ /I/ /6/; <e> is sounded as /i:/ /e/ /@/ /A:/ /u:/; <i> is sounded as /2I/ /I/ /3:/ /A:/; <o> is sounded as /@U/ /6/ /2/ /A:/ /U/ /I/ /@/ /O:/ /w2/; and <u> is sounded as /jU/ /2/ /I/ /@/ /e/ /U@/. <c, d, g, j, n, p, s, t, w, x, y, z> are pronounced inconsistently. <c> is sounded as /s/ /tS/ /k/ /S/; <d> is sounded as /d/ /dZ/ /t/; <g> is sounded as /g/ /dZ/ /f/; <j> is sounded as /dZ/ /h/ /j/; <n> is sounded as /n/ /ŋ/; <p> is sounded as /p/ /f/; <q> is sounded as /k/; <s> is sounded as /s/ /z/ /S/ /Z/; <t> is sounded as /t/ /8/ /ð/ /tS/ /S/; <w> is sounded as /w/ /U/; <x> is sounded as /ks/ /kS/ /gz/ /z/; <y> is sounded as /@/ /i/ /ai/ /j/; and <z> is sounded as /z/ /ts/. The areas of inconstancy in English pronunciation occur in; same letter different sounds; same sound different letters; silent letters; and sound production with no letters.
Keywords:consonants, inconsistency, pronunciation, vowels
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