English Language Writing Skills

By Danso Kwasi Nti Samuel (DAS). Study the complete course source, examine every model and practise alongside Professor Jarvis.

Course printed page 21 PDF page 27 of 505

For tables, matching columns, IPA and original formatting, open the course PDF above.

Contexts for Unaspirated Plosives:

1. In Consonant Clusters:

 After /s/:

  "Spot the difference."

     ü The /p/ in spot is unaspirated because it follows the /s/ sound. The word is

        pronounced [spɒt].

  "School starts next week."

     ü The /k/ in school is unaspirated due to its position after /s/.

     The word is pronounced [skuːl].

2. In Fast or Casual Speech:

 When Following a Voiceless Consonant:

  "He skipped the step."

     ü The /p/ in skipped is unaspirated because it follows the /s/ sound in skipped.

     The phrase is pronounced [skɪpt].

  "You can stop now."

     ü The /p/ in stop is less aspirated due to the rapid flow of speech.

        The word is pronounced [stɒp].

3. Within Connected Speech

 Following a Stress or Emphasis:

  "I’ll take that book."

     ü The /t/ in take may be unaspirated because of the influence of the surrounding

        stressed syllables. The phrase is pronounced [aɪl teɪk ðæt bʊk].