Phonetics: Diacritics 1.1

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This exercise will help you become more familiar with diacritic symbols, which add phonetic values or features to sound segments to distinguish similar sounds one from another.

For each diacritic, select the correct term.

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Question 1

The diacritic [ˠ] in [dˠ] symbolizes which feature?

A	labialization or rounding Hint: The diacritic [ˠ] symbolizes the feature of velarization. The diacritic for labalization or rounding is [ʷ].
B	palatalization Hint: The diacritic [ˠ] symbolizes the feature of velarization. The diacritic for palatalization is [ʲ].
C	velarization

Question 2

The diacritic [ˤ] in [dˤ] symbolizes which feature?

A	ejectiveness Hint: The diacritic [ˤ], as in [dˤ], symbolizes the feature of pharyngealization. The diacritic ['] symbolizes the feature of ejectiveness.
B	pharyngealization Hint:
C	glottalization Hint: The diacritic [ˤ], as in [dˤ], symbolizes the feature of pharyngealization. The diacritic for glottalization is [ˀ].

Question 3

The diacritic [ʷ] in [tʷ] symbolizes which feature?

A	voicedness Hint: The diacritic [ʷ] as in [tʷ] symbolizes the feature of labialization or rounding. The diacritic for [+voice] is [̬].
B	(partial) devoicedness Hint: The diacritic [ʷ] as in [tʷ] symbolizes the feature of labialization or roundedness. The diacritic for (partial) devoicedness is [̥].
C	labalization or rounding

Question 4

The diacritic [ʼ] in [tʼ] symbolizes which feature?

A	ejectiveness
B	glottalization Hint: The diacritic [ʼ] as seen in [tʼ] symbolizes the feature of ejectiveness The diacritic for glottalization is [ˀ].
C	aspiration Hint: The diacritic [ʼ] as seen in [tʼ] symbolizes the feature of ejectiveness. The diacritic for aspiration is [ʰ].

Question 5

The diacritic [ⁿ] in [paɹdⁿ] ‘pardon’ symbolizes which feature?

A	velarization Hint: The diacritic [ⁿ] symbolizes the feature nasal release. The diacritic for velarization is [ˠ].
B	dental Hint: The diacritic [ⁿ] symbolizes the feature nasal release. The diacritic for "dental" is [̪].
C	nasal release

Question 6

The diacritic [ˡ], as in [batˡ] 'bottle', symbolizes which feature?

A	lateral release
B	partial release Hint: Partial release is symbolized by [ ̚].
C	ejectiveness Hint: The mark for an ejective is [ʼ], which is referred to sometimes as a 'tick' or apostrophe. It is smaller (and often curlier) than the symbol for a lateral release, [ˡ].

Question 7

The diacritic [ ̪ ], as in the [n̪] of [dʒɔjn̪iaɹmi] 'Join the army', symbolizes which feature?

A	nasal release Hint: The diacritic [ ̪] symbolizes the feature "dental". The diacritic for nasal release is [ⁿ].
B	dental
C	palatalization Hint: The diacritic [ ̪] symbolizes the feature "dental". The diacritic for palatalization is [ʲ].

Question 8

The diacritic [ ̥] in [pʰl̥ej] ‘play’ symbolizes which feature?

A	devoicedness
B	nasal release Hint: The diacritic [ ̥] symbolizes the feature of devoicing. The diacritic for nasal release is [ⁿ].
C	aspiration Hint: The diacritic [ ̥] symbolizes the feature devoiced. The diacritic for aspiration is [ʰ].

Question 9

The diacritic [^ʲ] in [t^ʲ] symbolizes which feature?

A	palatalization
B	velarization Hint: The diacritic [ʲ], as in [tʲ], symbolizes the feature of palatalization. The diacritic for velarization is [ˠ].
C	glottalization Hint: The diacritic [ʲ], as in [tʲ], symbolizes the feature of palatalization. The diacritic for glottalization is [ˀ].

Question 10

The diacritic [ʰ] in [tʰap] 'top' symbolizes which feature?

A	aspiration
B	partial release Hint: The diacritic [ʰ] symbolizes the feature of aspiration. The diacritic for partial release is [̚].
C	ejectiveness Hint: The diacritic [ʰ] symbolizes the feature of aspiration. The diacritic for ejectiveness is ['].

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Phonetics: Diacritics 1.1

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