Key Characteristics:
* Assimilation: Sounds change to become more like the sounds around them. For example, the "t" in "can't you" often becomes a "k" sound due to the influence of the following "y" sound.
* Elision: Sounds are omitted, particularly unstressed vowels or consonants. Example: "wanna" instead of "want to."
* Reduction: Vowels are shortened or weakened in unstressed syllables. Example: "about" sounds like "abowt."
* Linking: Sounds are added to connect words or phrases. Example: "I'm going to the store" might sound like "I'm going-to-the-store."
* Intonation: The rise and fall of pitch in a sentence, conveying meaning and emotion.
Importance of Connected Speech:
* Natural Sound: Connected speech is how we actually speak in everyday conversations, making it sound more natural and fluent.
* Understanding: It allows us to process and understand speech more easily, as the sounds blend together smoothly.
* Communication: Connected speech helps us convey subtle nuances of meaning, such as emphasis and attitude.
Challenges for Learners:
* Accents: Different accents can have significant variations in connected speech patterns.
* Pronunciation: Learners may find it challenging to produce the correct sounds in connected speech due to the blending and modification of individual sounds.
* Rhythm: The rhythm of connected speech can be difficult to master, especially for learners who are accustomed to speaking more deliberately.
Examples of Connected Speech:
* "I'm going to the store" becomes "I'm goin' to the store"
* "What's up?" becomes "Waz up?"
* "I'm going to eat lunch" becomes "I'm gonna eat lunch"
Understanding connected speech is essential for both native speakers and language learners. It allows us to speak and understand language in a natural and fluent way.