Eligibility of the affinity between alphabet codes and pronunciation drills

  • Published : 2006.12.30

Abstract

In this paper I attempted to investigate the matters related with the clarification of the close relationship between writing system and pronunciation. On the way of pursuing the research on the subject I found the fact that the same topic has been the main academic target in Korea. There have been some remarks about English alphabets and pronunciation. Nevertheless, the relation between alphabet codes and pronunciation tokens wasn't considered as the main key to master the English pronunciation correctly and completely. As the main target of this paper I argue that it is necessary to comprehend the connection. Then, we can recognize the significant role of alphabetic structure for understanding the gist of pronunciation exercise. This paper is classified into four parts. Each part consists of the material to affirm the fact that writing system should be the inevitable equivalent of sound system, and vice versa. In the first section I show that the development of the way of pronouncing English words is closely related with the endeavors of the scholars. While performing the survey of the studies about the alphabetic structure of the age many scholars found that the spelling construction was recorded without any common denominator. Thus, they not only sought to stage the bedrock for the standard written form of words but also to associate the alphabet letters with phonetic features. Secondly I mention the negative aspect of the 'only spelling based English pronunciation education' for the educational goal of 'Phonics methodology.' In this part I suggest the essentiality of phonemic properties with the phonetic prospect: phonemic awareness. Thirdly I refer to the standardization of the spelling system of English. As the realm of application of the language is extended toward the various professional areas such as commercial, scientific, and cultural spheres, it is quite natural to assume that the usage of the language will be transformed according to the areas in the world. Fourthly I introduce the first English-Korean grammar book with the section of 'the introduction to English pronunciation.' At the chapter the author explained the sound features of English based on the regulation of 'Scientific Alphabet' of U.S.A. In the transcribing system all the symbols were postulated on the basis of the English alphabet form instead of the separate phonetic signs of IPA.

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