STRONG AND WEAK FORMS Compare: I like that, /ai 'laik 'daet/ I hope that she will, /ai 'haup dat Ji 'wil/ Only strong forms in speaking? Some foreigners do it... Are they understood? Why should we learn weak forms? Weak forms x contracted forms About fourty words appearing in weak forms in English - usually function words. Can you name some of them? Words occurring in their weak forms are printed in smaller type than stressed words and strong forms, e.g. We can wait /'wi: kan 'weit/ Exercise 1 Sentences for repetition Listen and repeat: We can wait for the bus How do the lights work? There are some new books I must read She took her aunt for a drive The basket was full of things to eat Why should a man earn more than a woman? You ought to have your own car. He wants to come and see us at home. Have you taken them from that box? /wi kan 'weit fa 6a 'bAs/ /'hau da 6a 'laits 'w3:k/ /6ar a sam 'nju: 'buks ai mas 'ri:d/ /Ji 'tuk ar 'a:nt far a 'draiv/ /6a 'baiskit waz 'ful av 'Birjz tu 'i:t/ /'wai Jad a 'maen '3:n 'mo: 6an a 'wuman/ /ju 'o:t ta 'haev jar 'aun 'ka:/ /hi 'wonts ta 'kAm an 'si: as at 'haum/ /'haev ia 'teikan 6am fram 'daet 'boks/ It's true that he was late, but his car could have broken down. I shall take as much as I want. Why am I too late to see him today? /its 'tru: 6at i waz 'leit bat iz 'ka: kad av 'braukan 'daun/ /ai JI 'teik az 'niAtJ az ai 'wont/ /'wai am ai 'tu: 'leit ta 'si: im ta'dei/ Exercise 2 In the following sentences, the transcription for the weak-form words is left blank. Fill in the blanks, taking care to use the appropriate form. 1. I want her to park that car over there, ai WDnt pa:k ka:r auva 2. Of all the proposals, the one that you made is the silliest. o:l prapeuzjz WAn meid siliest 3. Jane and Bill could have driven them to and from the party. d3ein bil driven parti 4. To come to the point, what shall we do for the rest of the week? kAm point WDt rest wi:k 5. Has anyone got an idea where it came from? eniwAn gDt aidia wear it keim 6. Pedestrians must always use the crossings provided for them, padestnenz oilwiz ju:z krosirjz pravaidid 7. Each one was a perfect example of the art that had been developed there. i:tj WAn p3:fikt igzaimpj a:t bi:n drvelapt Exercise 3 Weak forms with pre-vocalic and pre-consonantal forms DIFFERENT VOWELS When you hear the number, say the phrase, using the appropriate weak form: 1 the apple 2 the pear 3 to Edinburgh 4 to Leeds 5 so do I 6 so do they LINKING CONSONANT 7 an ear 8 a foot 9 her eyes 10 her nose 11 your uncle 12 your friend 13 for Alan 14 for Mike 15 there aren't 16 there couldn't 17 these are ours 18 these are mine 19 you were out 20 you were there Exercise 4 Transcription Write the following sentences in transcription, taking care to give the correct weak forms for the words printed in smaller type. 1 Leave the rest of the food for lunch. 2 Aren't there some letters for her to open? 3 Where do the eggs come from? 4 Read his book and write some notes. 5 At least we can try and help. Exercise 5 Pronunciation of weak forms This exercise uses the sentences of Exercise 3. When you hear the number, say the sentence, giving particular attention to the weak forms. (1 . . .5) Exercise 6 Stress placement in sentences. Put a stress mark 1 before each syllable you would expect to be stressed in the following sentences. For example, given the sentence 'I think I'll be late for work' you should mark the words 'think', 'late' and 'work' like this: I 'think I'll be'late for 'work. 1 James decided to type the letter himself. 2 The plane was approaching the runway at high speed. 3 Try to see the other person's point of view. 4 You put your brakes on when the light turns to red. 5 In a short time the house was full of children. Exercise 7 Pronunciation of stressed syllables. When you hear the number, say the sentence from the list in Exercise 3 taking care to stress the correct syllables. You will then hear the correct version, which you should repeat. (1... 5) Exercise 8 Weak forms. In the following sentences, those words which are not stressed must be pronounced in their weak forms. When you hear the number, say the sentence: 1 Here's a present for your brother. 2 These are all the pictures that are left. 3 There could be a bit of rain at the end of the morning. 4 A few people asked him a question. 5 Collect your luggage before leaving the train.