EDU 201 Chapter 2 Vocabulary

Language is basically speech, so sounds are its fundamental building blocks. (p. 21)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

We learn the sounds of our language at such an early age that we are unaware of them without special study.

Vowels are not the principal sounds of syllables. (p. 26)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Vowels are the principal sounds of syllables. Vowels are shown according to the position of the tongue relative to the roof of the mouth (high, mid, low) and to the position of the highest part of the tongue (front, central, back).

A monophthong is a sequence of two vowels in the same syllable. (p. 29)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A monologue is a single, simple vowel.

Examples of diphthongs include the following:

/aʊ/ as in “Town”

/aɪ/ as in “Light”

/eɪ/ as in “Play”

/eə/ as in “Pair”

/ɪə/ as in “Deer”

/oʊ/ as in “Slow”

/ɔɪ/ as in “Toy”

/ʊə/ as in “Sure”

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The word “diphthong” comes from the Greek word meaning “two sounds.” Based on that definition, we know that a diphthong is a sound that combines two vowel sounds. These two vowel sounds are pronounced so closely together that they almost sound like one instead of two!

The most prominent syllable in a word has primary stress. (p. 30)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Primary stress syllable is indicated by a raised vertical mark at the beginning of the syllable in phonetic transcription or an acute accent mark over the appropriate vowel symbol in normal orthography.

Ex: 'sofe or so'fa