Page 75 - 4227

The definite article [ðə] is often realized as the neutral sound
alone. It occurs in cases when the definiteness of the noun is

clearly established and [ə] can only be interpreted as the
realization of the definite article [ðə].

Spelling Formal Informal

and the way he ənd ðə 'wei hi ən(d) ə 'wei (h)i

and the reason for it ənd ðə 'ri:zn fər it ən(d) ə 'ri:zn frt

and the scotchman ənd ðə 'skɒt∫mən ən(d) ə 'skɒt∫mən

The elision of [1] is restricted to the position after the vowel

[ɔ:]. This process was established in the earlier periods of the

English language which is relected in the pronunciation of the

words talk, walk; sometimes in the word certainly.

Spelling Formal Informal

all right ɔ:l 'rait ɔ: 'rait

already ɔ:l 'redi ɔ:'redi

always 'ɔ:lwiz 'ɔ:wiz

also 'ɔ:lsзu 'ɔ:sзu

The elision of [1] in words beginning with all is typical even

for slow full speech style.

8. 3 Phonotactics

Phonotactics is a branch of phonology that deals with

restrictions in a language on the permissible combinations of
phonemes. Phonotactics defines permissible syllable structure,

74