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LNGS 1001, Sem 1, 2013

MID-SEMESTER EXAMINATION

Complete all sections

LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

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QUESTION 1: Recognizing IPA symbols (10%)

Using the space below, write the following text written in IPA in ordinary English
spelling. (The IPA transcription is fairly narrow but does not show allophonic
lengthening of vowels.)

fnldsts gi t sandz v wdz lgwdz kn bi t

v z kmpazd v sm nmb v dstktv fntk fitz dn
fm junvs st.
iz fitz juli bani n net nd pznt pzns
bsns v ptkjl atkjlti dst , kenli, v n kustk
ppti.
fitz kn so bi juzd t pznt nt klasz v sandz
t fd tu ba vati v fnldk possz.

LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

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QUESTION 2: English Phonetic Transcription (40%)

Transcribe the following English words into narrow phonetic transcription using the
IPA symbols as given on the inside-front cover of the textbook, as corrected by the
lecturer. Write your transcriptions next to each word.
Indicate primary and, where appropriate, secondary stress, and also the
following sub-phonemic features: aspiration, nasalization and l-velarization.

gymnast

_______________

13

charter

_______________

gymnastic

_______________

14

character

_______________

convert (verb) _______________

15

pleasure

_______________

convert (noun) _______________

16

thinker

_______________

helmet

_______________

17

union

_______________

conquer

_______________

18

wrapped

_______________

decide

_______________

19

accomplish _______________

decision

_______________

20

caution

_______________

pounds

_______________

21

although

_______________

10

tilting

_______________

22

whose

_______________

11

resign

_______________

23

photograph

12

resignation

_______________

24

photographer _____________

LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

_____________

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Question 3: Phonemic Analysis (50%)

The following data is from the Lhasa dialect of Tibetan. This dialect has a difference
between ordinary vowels and breathy-voiced vowels, which are transcribed in IPA
with two dots beneath the vowel, eg [am].
Is the difference between ordinary vowels and breathy-voiced vowels
phonemic? Give reasons for your answer.
If you decide that the difference is not phonemic, state which form of the
vowels is underlying and propose an allophonic phonological rule to account for the
appearance of the other allophone.
Write your answer on the facing page (continuing over the page if
necessary). You may use part of the space for notes and working-out, but if so,
indicate clearly where your actual answer begins.
Phonetic notes:
Tone is marked [ t ] for High tone and [ v ] for Low tone.
[y] and [] are front rounded vowels, high and mid respectively.

p= <
a

Tibet

13

g<
a

catch disease

I/me

14

son

15

pu= <
ka

now

16

ta= <
tu

mouth

ta

part

17

pe

powder

hear

18

religion

ko= <
ta= <

tea

19

da

rainbow

two

20

ta

edge

five

21

slope

10

da

arrow

22

ky= <
po

11

bu

insect

23

humble

12

ka

column

24

ty= <
ta

2
3

LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

fish
ten

old man
horse
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Answer to Question 3:

(continue over page if necessary)

LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

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LNGS1001, 2013/1 Mid-Semester Exam

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