Quiz in Linguistics

The /p/ in pin is aspirated, while the /p/ in spin is not. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• Aspiration occurs only at the beginning of a stressed syllable.

• Aspiration occurs in clusters of consonants.

• Aspiration occurs at the end of words.

• Aspiration is random in English.

The /l/ in milk is pronounced with a “dark” [ɫ] sound. Which statement explains this phenomenon?

• /l/ becomes velarized at the beginning of a word

• /l/ becomes velarized before a consonant or at the end of a word

• /l/ is always pronounced clearly

• Velarization occurs only in vowels

Explain why the /n/ in input often sounds like [m] in casual speech.

• Because /n/ becomes bilabial before the bilabial /p/

• Because /n/ is deleted in fast speech

• Because /p/ is aspirated

• Because vowels lengthen before /p/

In some dialects, hamster is pronounced [ˈhæmpstər]. Which process is responsible for the extra [p]?

• Deletion

• Flapping

• Insertion

• Velarization

In casual speech, camera is often pronounced [ˈkæmrə]. What phonological process is occurring?

• Assimilation

• Deletion

• Aspiration

• Flapping

The word handbag is sometimes pronounced [ˈhæmbæɡ]. Identify the processes that occur.

• Flapping and aspiration

• Assimilation and deletion

• Assimilation and insertion

• Vowel lengthening and flapping

Which of the following words shows vowel lengthening due to the following consonant being voiced?

• bad vs. bat

• cat vs. cap

• tip vs. tipper

• milk vs. mill

Listen to the sentence: “I want a cookie.” A native speaker often pronounces it as [aɪ wɒn ə ˈkʊki]. Which of the following phonological processes can explain the reduction of /ə/ in a?

• Aspiration

• Flapping

• Deletion

• Velarization

Which word pair demonstrates vowel lengthening before a voiced consonant?

• leaf vs. leave

• bat vs. bad

• cap vs. cab

• All of the above

In full [fʊɫ], the /l/ is “dark.” In which environment is velarization most likely to occur?

• At the beginning of a syllable

• At the end of a syllable or before a consonant

• Before a vowel

• In unstressed syllables only