Articulation.1. The tip of the tongue is either close to the edge of the upper teeth or slightly projected between the teeth.
2. For [9] the vocal cords do not vibrate, they vibrate for (3)
when it occurs in word initial position, before a vowel or in
intervocalic positions, eg thus, rather.
3. The air force is very strong for [9].
Recommendations. 1.Start with Articulation Exercises II, 7,
8; 111, 2, 3.
2. Put the tip of the tongue close to the edge of the upper teeth or project it very slightly between the teeth, and blow the breath through the narrowing. For {9J the friction should be as strong as for (f], for [3] it should be gentle.
3. Keep both lips away from the teeth.
Allophones.The partially devoiced [3) occurs in word final positions, eg breathe, with, bathe.
Comparison with the Russian Consonants.There are no similar sounds in Russian.
Possible Mistakes. 1.Learners of English sometimes pronounce [f, vj or [ô, â] instead of [9, 3]. To avoid it the lower lip should be kept out of the way. The mirror might be recommended for observing it.
2. Sometimes (t, dj or [ò, ä) may be heard instead of [9,3J. To get rid of the mistake the tip or the blade of the tongue should not be pressed either against the teeth ridge or the teeth.
3. If [s, z] or [ñ, ç] are heard remember that the tip should be against the edge of the upper teeth.
4. Russian learners of English often palatalize [9, 3] before front close or mid-open vowels (a phonetic mistake). To avoid it the front part of the tongue should be kept low during their production.
5. If they make the final [3] fully voiced or even with a weak sound [ý] after it they should remember that it is weak and short and not worry about voicing, eg loathe.
6. To avoid the complete devoicing of the final [3] (a phonological mistake) one must make the friction rather weak.
The word contrast practice is useful:
bath — bathe, wreath — breathe, both — clothe, tooth — smooth
[s, z] occur in word initial, word medial and word final positions. [sj — spelt "s, ss, c, sc, x", eg size, science, lacy, hoarse, pass, axe [z] — spelt "s, ss, z, zz, x' eg zero, lazy, roses, scissors, dizzy, exact, mews
voice
Fig. 26. Fig. 27.
Definition,[s, z] are constrictive fricative, forelingual. apical alveolar, [s] is strong and voiceless, [z] is weak and voiced, in final position it is partially devoiced.
Articulation.1. The tip of the tongue is close to the teeth ridge. The narrowing is round, because of the groove in the blade of the tongue.
2. The teeth are very close together.
3. The vocal cords do not vibrate when [s] is produced. For |zj they vibrate when it occurs before vowels or in intervocalic positions, eg zone. easy.
4. The friction for [s] is strong, even stronger than for [9].
Recommendations. 1.Start with Articulation Exercises II, 7;
III, 5—9.
2. Put the tip and the blade of the tongue close to the alveolar ridge. The air should hit the tongue at the very centre of the teeth ridge. Push the air through the narrowing very quickly, so that the strong friction is heard. For (z] push it more slowly, so that the friction is weaker. Alternate strong and weak friction for Is —z].
3. Keep the teeth very close together.
Allophones.Partially devoiced [z] occurs in word final positions, eg his, lose.
Comparison with the Russian[ñ, ç, ñ', ç']. The Russian [ñ, tj are of dorsal dental articulation, i. e. the blade of the tongue is close to the upper teeth, the tip being lowered and passive. [c', 3'J are of the same articulation, only the front secondary focus is formed by raising the front part of the tongue towards the hard palate, eg ñàä — ñÿäåì, ñàì — ñÿì, ñûò — ñèÿþ.