The document discusses weak and strong syllables in English. It defines weak and strong syllables and provides examples of different types of weak syllables based on their vowel sounds or syllabic consonants. It also discusses how weak syllables are pronounced compared to strong syllables and their role in keeping the stress-timed rhythm of English speech.

1. In the name of Lord Most merciful most beneficent

2. Presentation on Weak Syllables and Strong Syllables

25. He's not at home. ə t æ t at ..as good as gold... ə z æ z As A bottle of wine. ə (v) ɒ v Of Put it into the box. ɪ nt ə ɪ nt u: Into She's from York. fr ə m fr ɒ m From Wait for me! f ə (r) f ɔ :(r ) For I went to the market. t ə tu: to Prepositions Example Weak form Strong form

26. You must be a bit more patient. m ə s(t) m ʌ st Must What can you do with it? k ə n k æ n Can They should be here by now. ʃ ə d ʃ ʊ d Should What could I do? k ə d k ʊ d Could She said she would be here. w ə d w ʊ d Would They were bored. w ə (r) w ɜ : Were I was quite interested. w ə z w ɒ z was John and Mary are here. ə (r)* ɑ : Are Where do you live? d ə du: Do Example Weak Form Strong Form Auxiliary verbs

27. What's the time? ð ə , ð i (before a vowel) ð i: The He's an idiot! ə n æ n an Take a good book. ə e ɪ A I'll give her a ring later. (h) ə (r)* h ɜ : (r) her (as object pronoun) Where's your jumper? j ə (r) j ɔ : your Where do you live? j ə ju: you (as object pronoun) The dog that bit me ... ð ə t ð æt that (as a relative) It's faster than mine. ð ən ð æn Than ...but one of the main points... b ə t b ʌ t but Rock 'n' roll. ə nd, ə n , n ̩ æ nd And Example Weak Form Strong Form Others

29. A weak form is the pronunciation of a word or syllable in an unstressed manner. Of course, the difference between the strong form (stressed) and the weak form (unstressed) of a word is not apparent in writing, but in speech these two variations in pronunciation can be drastically different. If spoken in isolation, the weak form of a word would probably be unintelligible. The difference between the two forms can affect meaning. Here is an example to show how strong and weak forms of a single word ( that ) can change the entire meaning of a sentence: John thinks that man is evil. /ð ə t/ This version of the sentence, with the weak (unstressed) form of that , means "John thinks all humans are evil." ə