The Power of Sound: A Journey into Phonetics By: Dinzei Maureen Marris
The Power of Sound: A Journey into Phonetics By Dinzei Maureen Have you ever wondered why the word “knight” sounds nothing like it’s spelt or why some people say “ask” as “aks”? Welcome to the fascinating world of phonetics—the scientific study of speech sounds. In our everyday communication, we rely on the power of sound to express ideas, emotions, and information. Yet, few take the time to understand how these sounds are made and interpreted. Phonetics play a crucial role in our understanding of language. It goes beyond the written word and focuses on how words are actually spoken. This is especially important in English, where pronunciation often differs from spelling. For students, phonetics can be a powerful tool—it improves pronunciation, boosts confidence in speech, and sharpens listening skills. It also lay a strong foundation for learning other languages. Phonetics is divided into three main branches : 1. Articulatory Phonetics – This examines how speech sounds ar...