EXERCISES FOR GLOTTAL SUBSTITUTIONS

1. Speak the following, ensuring that the consonants are formed:

2. Speak the following, slowly, make the first vowel very long, noting the movement of the tongue towards the T sound:

3. Connect the sounds and increase the pace of delivery:

Articulate the T sound very strongly.

4. Divide the following words into two very distinct syllables:

Note carefully the sensation of raising the tongue to form the T sound, the raising of the back of the tongue for K sounds or the closing of the lips for P.

5. Repeat the words, closing the gap between the syllable, but retaining the movement of the tongue, or lips, for the consonant.

6. Speak the following, making the final consonant of the first word clearly and leaving a short silence before the second word:

7. Speak the two words slowly, but continuously, noting the movement of either lips or tongue to form the final consonant of the first word.

8. Read the following passage, after noting where the glottal stop may intrude:

At the end of the episode, Arthur is seen to avoid an accident at Waterloo, involving an unknown object which arrives, unannounced, around a corner. 'Better and better,’ mutters Arthur as he disappears into the Tube heading for Tottenham for a cup of tea.

Indistinct Speech

Speech is generally rendered indistinct or unintelligible when the consonants are omitted, substituted or incompletely articulated. The consonant sounds generally appear at the boundaries of syllables and words and help to shape the sound (the voice) into a recognizable pattern (speech). When those anticipated patterns are disturbed or incomplete the listener will have difficulty in understanding. It is important, therefore, to speak the consonants clearly and provide the appropriate and completed cues to the boundaries of a syllable and the word.

The reasons for such problems may be due to:

1. Lack of muscular effort, tone and dexterity.

2. Uncertainty about the subject.

3. Apprehension and nervousness in the speaking situation.

With regard to 2 and 3, some recommendations and exercises have been given in the chapter entitled 'Relaxation' (p. 10). It is the purpose of this chapter to provide exercises which will deal with the technical aspects of Indistinct Speech, including more exercises to build the strength and dexterity of the lips, tongue and soft palate.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 974