Investigating the Phonology and Phonetics of Spanish Language, Essay Example

The Spanish language is more than just a pleasant-sounding method of communication.  It carries a complex system of phonetics, which are somewhat different than American English.  Without “delving too deep,” a good way for Americans to better understand the Spanish language is to explore the events of translation from Spanish to American English.

History of Spanish Language

The Spanish language originated in the fifth century.  Spanish was influenced by Latin, due to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.  However, the first written standard of the Spanish language did not develop until the thirteenth century in the cities of Toledo and Madrid. The written Spanish language continued to develop into the sixteenth century, and spread to many different regions. Today, the Spanish language is used as an official language in over twenty-one countries and it is included as an official United Nations language (Dalbor 12).

Spanish Phonology and Phonetics

Phonetics is the study comprising of features that are necessary in the speech as well as in non-speech synthesis. There are three basic variables of the classification of phonetic of speech sounds (Dalbor 11). They include the behaviorof the larynx activity or non-activity during the voiced or voiceless sounds. Secondly, classification depends on the placeof the maximum point of articulation, which is the overall constriction in the pharynx. Thirdly, it depends on the type of mechanism used to modify sound mouth or pharynx. Manner articulation is the mechanism used to modify sounds.  Articulation is the process of modifying sounds by the use of various organs called the articulators (Clements 13). Thearticulators may be either movable or non-movable. During sound production, the moveable articulators approach thenon-movable articulators in order to shape the required sound.

The Spanish language consists of eighteen consonants and five vowel phonemes.  There are two parameters usedduring the classification of consonants used in Spanish language namely the anterior and coronal. The forward portion ofthe mouth lying between lips and alveolar ridge forms the anterior sounds. The tongue blade forms the coronal sounds when it makes contact with parts of the oral cavity. In coronal articulations, there are the dental propers, which include t, d, and n. Alveolar, include, s, z, and retroflex consonants formed by the retraction of the tip of the tongue.

In the production of vowels, there is no impending of the air stream to the respiratory system. There also lacks the contact of the tongue with either upper or lower articulators. Synthesis involves change of the tongue position, which modifies the shape of the oral cavity. The vowel nasalization occurs after lowering the velum allowing the air to passesthrough the nasal cavity. Other secondary articulations include lip rounding, nasalization, and the length of duration. The tongue height and position describes the vowels.

Spanish to American English

One way to better understand the phonetics of the Spanish language is to note how it is translated to American English.  The manual by Chakraborty and his graduate students at Communication Disorders Department from Texas State University have compiled information of Spanish culture and its phonetics. Goldstein (1996) is cited by Chakraborty as providing a better understanding of the distinctions between the Spanish and American English Languages.  In the Spanish language, /s/ blends do not occur in the initial word positions and consonant blends usually occur in the medial position with vowel sounds before them.  When speaking English, a vowel sound may be added to the beginning of words that begin with /s/ blends.  “School” may be pronounced “esschool.”

Affrication is another effect of the transfer of English to Spanish.  This occurs when phonemes, such as “j,” is substituted for “y.”  Instead of saying “yes,” individuals say “jes.”

Consonant devoicing occurs in the Spanish to English transition. In the Spanish language, the phonemes /z/ and “j” and are substituted with /s/ and “ch.”  “Zebra” becomes “sebra” and “jail” becomes “chail.”  The Spanish language has more nasal volarization where /n/ is substituted by “ng.”  The word “man” sounds like “mang.”

Another effect of the transition of Spanish to English is the process of stopping, where substitutions of stop consonants in English production may occur for certain phenomes that do not occur in Spanish.  These include /b/ for /v/ where “very” sounds like “bery,” /t/ for “th” where “theory” sounds like “teary” and /d/ for “th” where “there” sounds like “der.” (Chakraborty)

Conclusion

The Spanish phonological system and the articulatory phonetics are important for individuals interested in learning the Spanish language.  Phonological processes have been cited as occurring mostly in formal circumstances. However, research indicates that phonological process can as well be affected by geographical regions. Additionally, Spanish speakers are at will to decide which sounds to use. A number of factors can influence one’s decision regarding the pronunciation of particular words. A native speaker has the ability of producing the Spanish sounds right. However, a learner in this language ought to be aware of the phonetic patterns that are used so that they can ensure flawless speeches. To better understand an additional language, it is beneficial for individuals to differentiate between practice utterances and sounds. 

Works Cited

Clements, George. The Internal Organization of speech sounds. London: Evans, 2008. Print.

Chakraborty, Rahul. Todo Que Necesitias Saber: Spanish Culture, Traditions, And Language Manual Communication Disorders Department from Texas State

University in San Marcos, Texas. Web. <http://languagemanuals.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/4853169/spanishmanual.pdf>.

Colina, Sylvester. Spanish Phonology: A syllabic perspective. Washington, Georgetown University Press, 2012. Print.

Dalbor, Jackson. Spanish Pronunciation: Theory & Practice. New York: Holt, Rinehart &Winston. 2011. Print.

Glodsmith, Hume. The Handbook of Phonological Theory. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell. 2006. Print.