Gussenhoven and Kenstowicz

These readings made me realize and appreciate the subtleties in spoken language.

Gussenhoven discussed how we are able to produce sounds and went over the terms and basic actions involved with speaking. I am amazed by how well we are able to orchestrate all of the moving pieces in our vocal tract in order to speak. The complex movements to form words -- simply examining the glottis provides evidence of the intricacy of what happens when we speak. Just to produce an indistinct sound air must travel through our larynx, glottis, and vocal cords. We then are able to manipulate these sounds with our lips, tongue, and teeth. To me, the most impressive part of this is that all of our organs of speech have primary uses that are not related to speech.

Kenstowicz brought up the point that native speakers sometimes use the same pronunciation when saying different words. The example that he uses is tents and tends. While in American English these words are phonologically identical, we still hear them being spoken and recognize them as being distinct. Kenstowicz questions how all native English speakers know not to pronounce the t and d in each respective word. He asserts that it is a rule that we were never taught, however, just because we haven't been explicitly given a lesson, we are learning by example. If everyone around us pronounces words in a certain way then we are invariably going to follow suit.

When thinking about these readings together, they make me think more about the relationship between how words are formed and how words are perceived. The way that we make sound directly affects others' perceptions of us. Like Kensowicz states, differences in speech alerts us that the speaker is not native. I find this to be conceptually interesting because it reminds me that when you want someone to feel close to you you should imitate their body language. I often notice that when I am with people I pick up their speech habits and they pick up mine. I think that this shows how we use more than words to communicate, which is pretty cool.