TOPIC 4
The vowels [i:] as in “heel” contrasted with [i] as in “hill” Target: Most
Kenyans especially Swahili; M.T. Speakers
Introduction
This topic focuses on the vowels [i:] and [i]
Objectives:
Learning Activities
Learning Activity 4.1: Reading
Read the provided topic notes on the vowels [i:] and [i]
Learning Activity 4.2: Journal
In about 500 words, articulate the vowels [i:] and [i]
Post your article in the journal provided
Learning Activity 4.3: Discussion
Pronounce all these words with a friend, preferably of a different mother-tongue community
The word /i:/
1. read
7. meat
13. heal
19. peel
2. speak
8. stream
14. teeth
20. deed
3. deem
9. seem
15. meal
21. queen
4. squeak
10. feed
16. greet
22. squeeze
5. plead
11. scrim
17. lead
6. seed
12. team
18. preen
The word /i/
1.
rid
7.
spit
13.
hill
19.
pill
2.
spick
8.
sprint
14.
tit
20.
did
3.
dim
9.
tinkle
15.
mill
21.
scribble
4.
quick
10.
fiddle
16.
grit
22.
squid
5.
sin
11.
scrim
17.
squint
6.
pip
12.
tint
18.
lid
Post your discussion in the provided discussion forum
Assessment
The journal in Activity 4.2 and participation in the discussion in Activity 4.3 will be graded
Topic Resources
Topic 4 Notes
1.
Pronunciation
Both vowels are made with the front of the tongue, with spread (grinning) lip position. They
differ in that /i:/ is made with
a)
front of tongue higher,
b)
lips more closely spread
c)
duration longer.
That is, /I:/ is rather more extreme in each of these three respects. It is produced with more
muscular effort. Say it forcefully and make it really long, with special care before voiceless
consonants as in word like feet, geese, beast etc.
These is shown on the following diagram:
2.
First Language “equivalent”
If so, write examples below (in your own language). If NOT, write “no equivalent”
/i:/
“… .......................................................................................... ”
/i/
“…....................................................................................... ”
in deciding whether your language has these sounds or not, remember that the two English vowels
differ in quality (since their tongue and lip positions are slightly different) as well as in length.
Severe Kenyan languages do have these two sounds but write them both with the same letter “i”.
This is true, for example, of most dialects of luo and of Meru. Other languages, like kikuyu,
distinguish them by writing “i” versus “î”.
3.
Typical Spellings
Add two examples of your own to each list below.
/i:/ seem
steal
cede
be
grieve
deceit
trampoline
bleed
heat
regent
me
field
receive
kerosine
feet
lean
obedient
we
thief
ceiling
marine
………..
……….. ………..
……….. ……….. ……….. ………..
………..
……….. ………..
……….. ……….. ……….. ………..
/i/
4.
sit
syndrome
sinner
lyric
blister
sorry
………..
………..
………..
………..
Exceptional Spellings:
Study these and add extra examples if you like:
/i:/
key
quay
caesar
foetus
people
/i/
sieve
women
pretty
busy
build
5.
Test:
a) breathe
/ /
g) Kin
/ /
b) sieve
/ /
h) deceive
/ /
c) machine
/ /
i) hymn
/ /
d) brief
/ /
j) busy
/ /
e) devious
/ /
k) sister
/ /
f) quay
/ /
l) foetus
/ /
Use dictionary to check your answers…
The Minimal Pairs
Before repeating the minimal pairs, give yourself a listening test. Do not proceed until you are able to
pass this test with full marks.
1.
rid
read
6.
begin to seek
2.
speak
pick
7.
A Creeping feeling
3.
dim
deem
8.
Dinner for three
4.
scream
scrim
9.
A defeatindeed
5.
hill
heal
10.
Swimming in the Stream
The Phrases
1.
Quick reading
2.
Needles and Pins
3.
Simple speech
4.
Trees on the hill
5.
The people’s inn
The Sentences
1.
I believe in peace
2.
This is the speech we printed for the principal speaker
3.
We can see six people sitting in the tree
4.
Pick me a seed with the tweezers
5.
She feeds him his meal in the evenings
6.
He squeezed his fist into the breach
7.
Did she read him the speech?
Answers to work-sheet test:
8.
It is a sin o steal
9.
His teeth were green when he grinned
10.
Healing a sick people is not an easy thing
TheSentences
/i:/ a, c, d, e, f, h, l.
/i/ b, g, I, j, k.
The Vowel Sounds /i:/ and /i/
1.
I believe in peace
2.
This is the speech we printed for the principal speaker
3.
We can see six people sitting in the tree
4.
Pick me a seed with the tweezers
5.
She feeds him his meal in the evenings
6.
Peter hit me with a piece of cheese
7.
He squeezed his fist quickly into the breach
8.
Did she read him the speech?
9.
It is a sin to steal.
10.
His teeth were green when he grinned
11.
Healing sick people is not an easy thing
12.
He is a preacher of no mean ability