Vowel sounds are found in every word of the Russian language. The classification of vowels is studied not only in schools, but also in universities. The information that is provided in our article is extremely useful to philological students. Thanks to her, they can get acquainted with the basics of phonetics of the Russian language. The article also contains some interesting facts about vowels.
Phonetics and linguistics. general information
Linguistics (linguistics) is a science that studies a particular language, as well as its functions, internal structure and patterns of its functioning. Linguistics is closely connected with many other areas of life and plays an important role in the life of everyone. Linguistics is intertwined with history, archeology, ethnography, literary criticism, psychology, physiology, anthropology, as well as philosophy.
The letters are studied by phonetics. The classification of vowels, consonants is presented in this section of science. Phonetics, as part of linguistics, also studies syllables, sound combinations and patterns of their combination. This science was formed in the 17th century. Its creation was associated with the need for training for the deaf-mute. In the 18th century, the beginning of the acoustic theory of vowels was laid.
Vowel sounds
The classification of the vowels of the Russian language is extremely important for linguists. They begin to study it at school, but more detailed training is provided only to philological students. Vowels - this is one of the varieties of sounds, the articulation of which the air does not encounter significant obstacles. That is why significant pressure is not created over the larynx.
Acoustically, the articulation of vowels is represented as periodic vibrations. The classification of vowels and sounds distinguishes between various signs that are described in our article. Differences in articulation are achieved due to changes in the shape of the resonator. In the Russian language there are 10 vowels.
Vowels due to acoustic articulation are also called musical sounds. They also mean letters that have the same sound. In this case, the term "vowel sounds" is used.
Vowel Signs
Vowel sounds and their classification have several generally accepted attributes. Every linguist is familiar with them. Our article describes some of them:
- The first sign is the rise. It is associated with the vertical arrangement of the body of the tongue. Four types of lifting are known: upper; mid-upper; mid-lower; lower. Not all languages meet all varieties of ascents. For example, in the Russian language there is only one of the average climbs.
- Another sign is the row. It is determined by the horizontal arrangement of the tongue during articulation. There are three rows: front; middle; rear.
- Vowel labilization is associated with the location of the lips. For example, rounded sounds are articulated by pulling the lips forward.
- Phonation is associated with the vibration of the vocal cords.
Acoustic Classification of Vowels
All vowel sounds are formed using the tone of the voice. They can be both shock and unstressed. It depends on their location in a particular word. Depending on this, vowels are called strong or weak. In the second case, the sounds are short in sound. When pronouncing them, the tension of the vocal cords is not required. Strong vowels last longer. When you pronounce them, you will need to strain the vocal cords.
Vowel tone is a non-self-discriminating characteristic. It can convey the speaker’s emotional state or the grammatical meaning of a phrase or sentence. For example, if they are interrogative, then the vowel that carries the greatest semantic load is pronounced in a higher tone.
The best books for studying the phonetics of the Russian language
The classification of vowels and consonants plays an important role in the study of the Russian language. It is important to use additional literature in training. This is no coincidence, because in order to study phonetics in full, a large amount of time and effort is needed. Without the use of specialized literature, quality education is impossible. Our article lists the best books in which the classification of vowels and consonants is presented.
The book "Phonetics of the Modern Russian Language," authored by L. Bulanin, combines the experience of describing the Russian language on the basis of general linguistic and phonetic ideas of the school of L. V. Shcherba. This publication is a study guide for student philologists. The book presents a theoretical course of the Russian language. It contains nine chapters.
"Russian language. Phonetics. Morphology. Spelling" - one of the best textbooks. The author of the book is A.I. Moiseev. It contains 254 pages of theoretical material. The book describes not only the classification of speech sounds (vowels, consonants), but also the basis of morphology and spelling. The purpose of the training manual is to deepen the professional knowledge of the Russian language teacher and student philologist.
The book "Historical Phonetics of the Russian Language" was published in 1980. Its author is V. Kolesov. The book contains 214 pages. It describes the development of the phonetic system of the Russian language. The author pays special attention to all-Russian language processes. All information provided in the book is supported by factual material from various sources.
Phonetics of the Modern Russian Language is a book authored by G. N. Girzheva. It was published a year ago. The purpose of the manual is to develop students' understanding of the sound system of linguistic activity, as well as to form a concept of sound units.
Many linguists have for many years explored the sounds of speech. Classification of vowels, as well as consonants, is a rather painstaking work. To familiarize yourself with the full amount of information, it is important to use additional literature.
Interesting facts about vowels "a" and "o"
The vowel "a" is one of the main and most common in many languages of the world. This is the first thing that a newborn child learns to pronounce. Experts say that the sound "a" is present in absolutely all languages of the world. By the way, in Ubykh it is the only vowel. Symbolic experts believe that all letters are derived from "a".
The letter "a" is of Phoenician origin, like many others. In the graph of many alphabets, it is depicted as a triangle with a crossbar in the middle. Experts believe that it symbolizes the head of a bull. This animal was especially revered by the Phoenicians. In Christianity, the vowel letter "a" refers to the five wounds of Jesus Christ.
The sound "o" is the most ancient. The letter was part of the Phoenician alphabet more than 3 thousand years ago. Since then, she has not changed. In church and Old Slavonic alphabets, the letter sounds like "on".
The letters "e", "e", "u", "i"
A significant role in the Russian language is played by vowels. The classification of vowels makes it possible to understand how to pronounce a particular word. The letters "e", "e", "yu", "i", which are located after the consonant, indicate its softness. In this case, they indicate one vowel sound.
It's no secret that the letters "e", "e", "y", "I" in some cases can mean 2 sounds. This can happen when one of them is located at the beginning of a word. For example, the word "spruce" sounds like [ye] l. A letter has several sounds also if it is located after the vowel. For example, a lighthouse. This phonetic situation is also observed if the vowel is located after a hard or soft sign.
Letter "S" and its cancellation
The sound "s" is a vowel. It causes confusion on the part of foreigners who wish to learn Russian. For a long period of training, they do not understand how to pronounce this sound. Phonologists characterize it as an unbroken vowel of the middle row of the upper rise. This sound is found in many languages of the world.
The sound "s" is common among the Mongols and Turkic peoples. Sound differences between the letters "s" and "and" allow you to create a new series of words and concepts.
Two years ago, Vladimir Zhirinovsky proposed to remove the letter "s" from the Russian language. He claims that it is not present in any European language. And it can not be spoken not only by foreigners, but also by children. Experts say that you can get rid of the letter and sound, but this will only create problems in speaking and writing.
Some experts argue that it is impossible to intervene in the phonetic development of the language. The sound composition has been formed independently over many centuries, and its language determines itself.
Over the years, consonants and vowels have been formed. The classification of vowels, consonants, as well as the ways of their development are described in many scientific works of philologists.
Learning Vowels
Learning vowels is difficult for children. There are various methods that will allow parents and teachers to make their child's learning more effective. In order to teach children to read syllables, it is important that they know and distinguish vowels. In the first lesson, it is important to study with a child no more than 4 letters. All of them must be printed on cards. During the lesson, the child must constantly see them. It is important not only to show the letter, but also to pronounce it. So the child will memorize it visually and audibly.
In the second lesson, it is important to repeat the letters you have already learned and go on to study two more. You can familiarize your child with vowels in 5 lessons.
To summarize
A huge role in the Russian language is played by vowels. The classification of vowels is now known to you. It will be useful not only to philologists, but also to those who are interested in the development of phonetics of the Russian language. When learning, it is also important to use additional literature.