The Language Warehouse Spanish Basic Course -
Phonology Unit 13
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1. Listen to the right and wrong pronunciation of this word.
(R) (W) (R) (W)
2. In its written form, there is a striking resemblance
between the above word and its English counterpart.
Spanish: 'oficina' English: 'office'
3. This resemblance of words and syllables, whether
in speech or in writing, at times causes a student
to respond automatically with English sounds. For
example, here are two erroneous pronunciations which
are brought on by the strong resemblance of this
Spanish word to its English counterpart.
One pronunciation: general (W) (W)
Another, better but still wrong:
general (W) (W)
Correct: (R) (R)
4. There are two kinds of errors which a student
might make due to English interference. One is
the faulty reproduction of the sounds, and the
other is the rhythm of the syllables. Either
one of these errors is enough to render some
words unintelligible to a Spanish person. We
will first practice with the accurate reproduction
of sounds; a little later, we will work with the rhythm.
5. The most common error occurs with the letter 'o',
especially in syllables where this 'o' is closed in
by consonants. Practice reading the following syllables.
Respond three times: once immediately following the
announcement by letter, then again after each model
where shown by the X's.
a. con- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
b. don- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
c. son- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
d. pon- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
e. lon- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
f. ton- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
6. Another common error occurs with the 'u'. The
first syllable of 'numerous', for example, in
the speech of many people rhymes with the first
syllable of 'beauty'. In Spanish, the 'u' always
stands for something more like 'oo' in 'loose'.
Practice these syllables in the same
manner as you did before.
a. nu- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
b. su- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
c. pu- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
d. lu- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
7. Sometimes, this 'u' in English stands for another
sound, such as we find in 'occur' which rhymes
with 'her', or in 'pun' which rhymes with 'none'.
In Spanish, of course, it still resembles 'oo'.
Practice with these syllables.
a. sur . . . . . ( )X ( )X
b. luz . . . . . ( )X ( )X
c. pun- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
d. cun- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
e. cul- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
f. dul- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
8. When in the proximity of another vowel, the
Spanish 'u' sounds very much like our English
'w'. Listen to the right and wrong pronunciation
of the following words:
pues: (R) (W) (R) (W)
bueno: (R) (W) (R) (W)
cuesta: (R) (W) (R) (W)
9. Of course, as you already know, if this 'u' is
accented, it retains the 'oo' sound. Observe:
púa: (R) (R)
Saúl: (R) (R)
10. Practice with these syllables.
a. pues . . . . . ( )X ( )X
b. lue- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
c. cuen- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
d. sue- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
e. guan- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
f. púa . . . . . ( )X ( )X
g. grúa . . . . . ( )X ( )X
11. Sometimes, the vowel 'i' gives a little trouble
in certain syllables simply because the English
speaker's facial muscles are not tense. Listen
to this example:
in- : (R) (W) (R) (W)
12. Practice with these syllables. In order to maintain
the tenseness of the muscles that is required for the
proper reproduction of this sound, pull your Iips back,
tight, as in an exaggeratedly strong grin.
a. in- . . . . . ( )X ( )x
b. is- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
c. tin- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
d. sin- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
e. pin- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
f. cin- . . . . . ( )X ( )X
g. o-fi-ci-na . . ( )X ( )X
13. The Spanish syllable 'qui-' is pronounced 'ki'
and not, as in English 'kwi'. You will now
hear the sounds 'ki' several times.
Respond by writing 'qui' in the blank spaces
every time you hear it.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
14. The sound of 'kwi' exists in Spanish, but it is
written like this: cui.
In the blanks, write cui every time you hear it.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
15. Now, you will hear either qui or cui. Write
which one it is, and then check your spelling.
(?): _____
(qui)
16. Again, write what you hear, and check.
(?): _____
(cui)
17. And now, you will hear these two syllables said several
times in a mixed order. Write which one you hear.
1. (?): _____
2 (?): _____
3. (?): _____
4. (?): _____
5. (?): _____
6. (?): _____
7. (?): _____
8. (?): _____
9. (?): _____
10. (?): _____
(cui: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10;
gui: 3, 5, 6, 7, 9.)
18. Listen to these two syllables:
1. gue: ( ) ( )
2. gui: ( ) ( )
19. Which one is being said here? Write it, and
then check your answer.
(?): _____
(gui)
20. Which one is this one? Write it, and check.
(?): _____
(gue)
21. You will hear a mixed sequence of gui and gue.
Write each one, then check.
1. (?): _____ 5. (?): _____
2. (?): _____ 6. (?): _____
3. (?): _____ 7. (?): _____
4. (?): _____ 8. (?): _____
(gui: 1, 5, 6, 8;
gue: 2, 3, 4, 7.)
22. Here is a list of words, many of which resemble
their English counterparts. As you hear each
number called, read the underlined syllable
only. Then listen to see if you were correct.
Remember, read only the underlined syllable.
1. sintaxis : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
2. capitalista : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
3. típico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
4. típico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
5. misterioso : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
6. hospitalidad : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
7. historia : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
8. unión : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
9. definición : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
10. definición: . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
11. misión: . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
12. económico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
13. económico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
14. auto : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
15. auténtico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
16. organista : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
17. politico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
18. defectivo : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
19. elección : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
20. velocidad : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
21. vigoroso : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
22. diversión : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
23. instructivo : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
24. dificultad : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
25. dificultad : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
26. dificultad : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
27. elástico : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
28. deuda : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
29. reunión : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
30. equivalente : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
31. cuidado : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
32. secundario : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
33. exclusivo : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
34. peculiar : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
35. cursi : . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
23. The letter 'j' has this sound.
1. ja : ( ) ( )
2. jo : ( ) ( )
3. je : ( ) ( )
4. hijo : ( ) ( )
5. hija : ( ) ( )
24. The letter 'g' also has the same sound, but only
before an 'e' or an 'i'.
1. ge : ( ) ( )
2. gi : ( ) ( )
3. gira : ( ) ( )
4. go : ( ) ( )
5. pago : ( ) ( )
6. gue : ( ) ( )
7. pague : ( ) ( )
8. garage : ( ) ( )
9. margen : ( ) ( )
10. carguen : ( ) ( )
11. surge : ( ) ( )
12. purgue : ( ) ( )
25. Practice reading these syllables as each is called out.
Then, repeat them where shown by the X's.
a. je ( )X ( )X
b. ge ( )X ()X
c. gue ( )X ( )X
d. go ( )X ( )X
e. jo ( )X ( )X
f. jun ( )X ( )X
g. gun ( )X ( )X
h. gi ( )X ( )X
i. guin ( )X ( )X
j. guil ( )X ( )X
k. ja ( )X ( )X
l. gan ( )X ( )X
m. gente ( )X ( )X
n. virgen ( )X ( )X
26. And now, let's consider rhythm. Many English
words have two beats within a word, whereas the
vast majority of Spanish words have only one.
Here is an English word, greatly exaggerated in
its pronunciation, that illustrates these two beats:
elevator: ( ) ( )
27. Here is another one, again exaggerated:
exaggerated: ( ) ( )
28. To further point out these beats, you will now
hear an imitation of the rhythm of the following
two words, using the artificial syllable 'ta'.
elevator: ( ) ( )
exaggerated: ( ) ( )
29. Listen to this imitation of the rhythm of a
Spanish word. Notice that it has only one beat.
( ) ( )
30. Here is an imitation of a longer word. Notice
the monotonous tone levels preceding the beat.
( ) ( )
31. Which of the following rhythms is typical of Spanish?
1. ( ) 2. ( )
(2)
32. Here is an authentic word. Notice its monotonous
tone up to the point of the beat.
responsabilidad: ( ) ( )
33. Here is the same word pronounced two times.
Once with an English rhythm and a second time
with the Spanish rhythm. Which is the Spanish one?
1. ( ) ( ) 2. ( ) ( )
(1)
34. Here is a word that you have not heard before.
Which of the two pronunciations is the Spanish one?
1. ( ) ( ) 2. ( ) ( )
(2)
35. Which of the following is the correct Spanish rhythm?
1. ( ) ( ) 2. ( ) ( )
(1)
36. Pronounce this syllable in imitation of the model.
pro- : ( )X ( )X
37. Pronounce this syllable in imitation of the model.
-duc- : ( ) X ( ) X
38. Pronounce this one.
-cion : ( ) X ( ) X
39. The preceding syllables combine into the following
word. Pronounce the word, thes check to see if you
were right.
producción: ( ) ( )
40. First, write this word in syllables in the blanks shown.
determinación: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
(de-ter-mi-na-ción)
Now pronounce the word correctly and check it.
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
41. Do the same with this word.
contradicción: _____-_____-_____-_____
(con-tra-dic-ción)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
42. Do the same with this one:
utilidad: _____-_____-_____-_____
(u-ti-li-dad)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
43. Notice that the monotone exists even though the
loudest syllable may nor be the last one. Observe:
parlamentario : ( ) ( )
revolucionario : ( ) ( )
fotográfico : ( ) ( )
democratico : ( ) ( )
44. Divide this word into syllables then pronounce it correctly.
reaccionario : _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
(re-ac-cio-na-rio)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
45. Do the same with this one.
aniversario : _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
(a-ni-ver-sa-rio)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
46. Do the same with this one.
fugitivo : _____-_____-_____-_____
(fu-gi-ti-vo)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
47. Do the same with this one.
legislativo : _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
(le-gis-la-ti-vo)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
48. Do the same with this one.
equivalente : _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
(e-qui-va-len-te)
. . . . . . . . . . ( ) ( )
UNIT 13 ANSWER KEY
1. oficina/ahficina (2)
(2. No voice.)
3. /féneral/(2) /janerál/(2) general (2)
(4. No voice.)
5. a. .../con- ... (2)/ d. .../pon- ... (2)/
b. .../don- ... (2)/ e. .../lon- ... (2)/
c. .../son- ... (2)/ f. .../ton- ... (2) /
6. a. .../nu- ... (2)/ c. .../pu- ... (2)/
b. .../su- ... (2)/ d. .../lu- ... (2)/
7. a. .../sur ... (2)/ d. .../cun- ... (2)/
b. .../luz ... (2)/ e. .../cul- ... (2)/
c. .../pun-... (2)/ f. .../dul- ... (2)/
8. pwes/pu-es (2) bweno/bu-eno (2) cwesta/cu-esta (2)
9. púa (2) Saúl (2)
10. a. .../pues ... (2)/ e. .../quan-... (2)/
b. .../lue- ... (2)/ f. .../púa ... (2)/
c. .../cuen-... (2)/ g. .../grúa ... (2)/
d. .../sue- ... (2)/
11. in/ihn (2)
12. a. .../in- ... (2)/ e. .../pin- ... (2)/
b. .../is- ... (2)/ f. .../cin- ... (2)/
c. .../tin- ... (2)/ g. .../o-fi-ci-na ... (2)/
d. .../sin- ... (2)/
13. qui ... (Wr.) (10)
14. cui- ... (Wr.) (10)
15. qui
16. cui-
17. 1. cui- ... (Wr.) 5. qui- ... (Wr.) 8. cui- ... (Wr.)
2. cui- ... (Wr.) 6. qui- ... (Wr.) 9. qui- ... (Wr.)
3. qui- ... (Wr.) 7. qui- ... (Wr.) 10. cui- ... (Wr.)
4. cui- ... (Wr.)
18. gue- (2) gui- (2)
19. gui- ... (Wr.)
20. gue- ... (Wr.)
21. 1. gui- ... (Mr.) 5. gui- ... (Wr.)
2. gue- ... (Wr.) 6. gui- ... (Wr.)
3. gue- ... (Wr.) 7. gue- ... (Wr.)
4. gue- ... (Wr.) 8. gui- ... (Wr.)
22. 1. .../sin-(2)/ 13. .../no- (2)/ 25. .../fi- (2)/
2. .../lis-(2)/ 14. .../au- (2)/ 26. .../cul-(2)/
3. .../ti- (2)/ 15. .../au- (2)/ 27. .../e- (2)/
4. .../pi- (2)/ 16. .../nis-(2)/ 28. .../deu-(2)/
5. .../mis-(2)/ 17. .../po- (2)/ 29. .../ren-(2)/
6. .../os- (2)/ 18. .../de- (2)/ 30. .../qui-(2)/
7. .../is- (2)/ 19. .../e- (2)/ 31. .../cui-(2)/
8. .../u- (2)/ 20. .../lo- (2)/ 32. .../cun-(2)/
9. .../fi- (2)/ 21. .../vi- (2)/ 33. .../clu-(2)/
10. .../ni- (2)/ 22. .../di- (2)/ 34. .../cu- (2)/
11. .../mi- (2)/ 23. .../in- (2)/ 35. .../cur-(2)/
12. .../e- (2)/ 24. .../di- (2)/
23. 1. ja (2) 4. hijo (2)
2. jo (2) 5. hija (2)
3. je (2)
24. (Read each one two times, no pauses.}
1. ge 7. pague
2. gi 8. garage
3. gira 9. margen
4. go 10. cargen
5. pago 11. surge
6. gue- 12. purgue
25. (Read each one 'a ... /je ... (2)/'>
a. je f. jun k. ja
b. ge g. gun l. gan
c. gue h. gi m. gente
d. go i. guin n. virgen
e. jo j. guil
26. (Use exaggerated pitch and stress): /ELevator/(2)
27. (Use exaggerated pitch and stress): /eXAggerated/(2)
28. (Using syllable te, imitate 426 two times, followed by #27 two times.)
29. (Read in Spanish rhythm): ta-ta-tá (2)
30. (Read in Spanish rhythm): ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-tá (2)
31. 1. ta-TA-ta-ta-ta 2. ta-ta-ta-ta-tá
32. (Read with only one pitch rise): responsabilidád
33. 1. responsabilidad (2) 2. (English) respónsabilidad (2)
34. 1. nácionalidad (2) 2. nacionalidád (2)
35. 1. trepitóso 2. trépitoso (2)
36. pro- ... (2)
37. -duc- ... (2)
38. -ción ... (2)
39. ... /producción (2)/
40. ... /determinación (2)/
41. ... /contradicción (2)/
42. ... /utilidad (2)/
43. (Use monotone in unstressed syllables):
parlamentario (2) revolucionario (2) fotográfico (2) democrático (2)
44. ... /reaccionario (2)/
45. ... /aniversario (2)/
46. ... /fugitivo (2)/
47. ... /legislativo (2)/
48. ... /equivalente (2)/
END OF UNIT 13