Usually, children do not have serious difficulties in understanding the difference between vowels and consonants. But on hard and soft consonants, you should dwell in more detail.
How to teach children to distinguish between hard and soft consonants
The very first thing to teach a child is that consonants can be hard and soft, but not letters.
Typical mistake:
Children confuse sound and letter. Remember that a sound is a sound, and a letter is an icon, it is written. A letter cannot be hard or soft, only a consonant sound can be hard or soft in pronunciation.
Sometimes children can easily learn to distinguish between soft and hard sounds by ear.
But it happens that this is difficult, and in this case, signs will come to the rescue by which one can distinguish hard sounds from soft ones.
Distinctive features of soft and hard sounds
What sound comes after the consonant:
- If after the consonant there is a vowel a, o, u, e, s, then the consonant is solid.
- If after the consonant there is a vowel and, e, u, i, then the consonant is soft.
Working with examples:
In the words "mother", "nora" - solid consonants, because after them come "a" and "o".
In the words "fly", "nanny" - consonants are soft, because after them come "e", "and", "I".
- If another consonant sounds after a consonant, then the first consonant will be hard.
- There are sounds that can only be hard and sounds that can only be soft, no matter what sound is heard and what letter is written after them.
Always solid sounds - w, w, c.
Always soft - th, h, u.
A common way to learn these sounds is a simple technique: we write the letters that convey these sounds in a line, and underline "th, h, u". The underline symbolizes the pillow on which soft sounds sit. The pad is soft, so the sounds are soft.
Soft sign and hard sign
- If the consonant is at the end of the word, and after it is the letter “b”, then the consonant is soft.
This rule is easy to apply if the child sees the written word, but it will not help if the child performs the task by ear.
Movement of the tongue when pronouncing soft and hard sounds
When pronouncing a soft sound, the tongue moves slightly forward, approaching the palate (or touching it) with its middle.
When pronouncing solid sounds, the tongue does not move forward.
Table of signs of hard and soft sounds
Solid:
- Before a, o, u, uh, s.
- At the end of a word before a consonant.
- Zh, c, sh.
Soft:
- Front vowels e, e, and, yu, i.
- If after the consonant there is a soft sign (dust, measles).
- Y, h, sh.
A picture or just a list of thematic words is shown, and the task is given to choose words with soft or hard consonants. For example:
Voiced and voiceless consonants
There are 11 pairs of voiced/voiced consonants in Russian.
The phonetic difference between voiced and voiceless consonants lies in the tension of the vocal cords. Deaf sounds are pronounced with the help of noise, without tension of the ligaments. Voiced sounds are pronounced with a voice, are caused by the vibration of the vocal cords, because. noisy air comes out of the larynx.
Mnemonic technique for memorizing deaf sounds:
Memorize the phrase: “Stepka, do you want a cabbage? - Fi! All consonants here are deaf.
Examples of tasks for children
Tasks for training the difference of paired consonants can be compiled for each pair according to the following principle (using the example of the D / T pair):
Tasks for the difference between a pair of consonants Г/К
Some of the voiced and voiceless consonants form pairs.
When consonants are formed [p], [l], [m], [n], [j],
Deaf [x], [x "], [c], [h "], [w"] do not have paired pits of voiced consonants.
Notes.
1. The sound [j] in school practice is denoted [th "].
2. The sound [w "] is indicated in writing by the letter u or some combinations of consonants. The horizontal line at the top indicates that the sound is long.
Paired voiced consonants at the end of a word and before deaf consonants, that is, in a weak position, sound like paired deaf consonants. This phenomenon is called stun.
Paired deaf consonants before paired voiced ones, that is, in a weak position, sound like paired voiced consonants. This phenomenon is called voicing.
Strong positions in deafness-voicedness for consonants are positions before vowels, before sonorants and in.
Consonants are divided into hard and soft. When pronouncing hard and soft sounds, the position of the tongue is different. Some of the consonants form pairs of hardness-softness.
When writing, the softness of consonants is indicated:
1) using a soft sign: dove, dictionary:
2) using the letters e, e, u, i, and: remote, linden.
Before soft consonants, the softness of consonants is not always indicated: a bow - ba [n "t"] ik.
More on the topic voiced and voiceless, hard and soft consonants:
- § 3. SPELLING OF CONSONANTS (checked and unchecked, voiced, deaf and unpronounceable consonants; double consonants; combinations of consonants)
What is sound? This is the minimum component of human speech. Shown in letters. In writing, sounds differ from letters in the presence of the first square brackets used in phonetic transcription. The letter is o, the sound is [o]. Transcription shows differences in spelling and pronunciation. Apostrophe [ ‘ ] indicates softness of pronunciation.
In contact with
The sounds are divided into:
- Vowels. They can be easily pulled. When they are created, the language does not accept active participation fixed in one position. The sound is created due to changes in the position of the tongue, lips, various vibrations of the vocal cords and the force of the air supply. vowel length - basis of vocal art(singing, "singing smooth").
- The consonants a are pronounced with the participation of the tongue, which, occupying a certain position and shape, creates an obstacle to the movement of air from the lungs. This leads to the appearance of noise in the oral cavity. At the output, they are converted into sound. Also, the lips, which close and open during speech, prevent the free passage of air.
The consonants are divided into:
- deaf and voiced. The deafness and sonority of the sound depends on the operation of the speech apparatus;
- hard and soft. The sound is determined by the position of the letter in the word.
Letters representing consonants
Deaf
Deaf in Russian: [k], [p], [s], [t], [f], [x], [ts], [sh]. The easiest way to remember the phrase, and not a set of letters, “Stepka, do you want a cabbage? Phi!” containing them all.
An example in which all consonants are deaf: rooster, honeycomb, pin.
Voiced
When they are formed, the form of the tongue is close to the form that produces deaf, but vibrations are added. Voiced consonants create active vibrations of the ligaments. vibrations deform the sound wave, and not a clean stream of air enters the oral cavity, but sound. In the future, it is additionally transformed by the tongue and lips.
To voiced consonants belong: b, c, d, e, g, h, d, l, m, n, p.
When they are pronounced, tension is clearly felt in the larynx. In addition, it is almost impossible to speak them clearly in a whisper.
A word in which all consonants are voiced: Rome, pride, ash, estuary.
Summary table of consonants (voiced and voiced).
It is precisely due to the change in sound that Russian speech is enriched with various words that are similar in spelling and pronunciation, but completely different in meaning. For example: house - volume, court - itching, code - year.
Paired consonants
What does parity mean? Two letters that are similar in sound, in the pronunciation of which the language occupies similar positions, are called paired consonant sounds. The pronunciation of consonants can be conditionally divided into one-stage (lips and tongues are involved in their creation) and two-stage - the ligaments are connected first, then the mouth. Those cases when, when pronouncing, the movements of the mouth coincide, and create pairs.
Summary table of paired consonants, taking into account hardness and softness
In speech, it is common not to pronounce each letter, but to “eat” it. This is not an exception only to Russian speech. This is found in almost all languages of the world and is especially noticeable in English. In Russian, this effect is subject to the rule: paired consonants replace (by ear) each other during speech. For example: love - [l 'u b about f '].
But not everyone has their own pair. There are not similar in pronunciation to any others - this is unpaired consonants. The reproduction technique differs from the pronunciation of other sounds and combines them into groups.
Paired consonants
Unpaired consonants
The first group can be pronounced with softness. The second has no analogues in pronunciation.
Unpaired consonants are divided into:
- sonoras - [th '], [l], [l '], [m], [m '], [n], [n '], [p], [p ']. When they are pronounced, the air current hits the upper sky like a dome;
- hissing - [x], [x '], [c], [h '], [u '].
The Russian language contains letters that are difficult to understand in the context. Are the sounds [h], [th], [c], [n] voiced or deaf? Learn these 4 letters!
Important![h] - deaf! [th] - sonorous! [c] is deaf! [n] - sonorous!
Unpaired consonants
Hard and soft
They are spelled the same but sound different. Voiceless and voiced consonants, with the exception of hissing, can be pronounced hard or soft. For example: [b] was - [b`] beat; [t] current - [t`] current.
When pronouncing hard, the tip of the tongue is pressed against the palate. Soft are formed by pressing to the upper palate of the middle part of the tongue.
In speech, the sound is determined by the letter following the consonant.
Vowels form pairs: a-i, u-u, e-e, s-i, o-e.
Two-vowel vowels (i, ё, u, e) are pronounced in one of two combinations: the sound [th] and a paired vowel from E, O, U, A, or a soft sign and a paired vowel. For example, the word jung. It is pronounced as [th] [y] [n] [g] [a]. Or the word mint. It is pronounced as: [m '] [a] [t] [a]. The vowels A, O, U, E, S do not have a double sound, therefore do not affect the pronunciation of the leading consonant.
Difference example:
A spoon is a hatch, honey is a sea, a house is a woodpecker.
Phonetic transcription:
[Spoon a] - [L 'u k], [m 'o d] - [m o r 'e], [d o m] - [d' a tel].
Pronunciation rules:
- hard ones are pronounced before A, O, U, E, Y. Abscess, side, beech, bentley, former;
- soft are pronounced before I, Yo, Yu, E, I. Revenge, honey, whale, mashed potatoes, mint;
- hard ones are pronounced if they are followed by another consonant: death. After the consonant [s], there is a consonant [m]. Regardless of whether the M is soft, voiced or hard, C is pronounced firmly;
- solid are pronounced if the letter is the last in the word: class, house;
- consonants before the vowel [e] in borrowed words are pronounced firmly, as before [e]. For example: scarf - [k] [a] [w] [n] [e];
- always soft before b: elk, pulp.
- exceptions to the rules:
- always solid F, W, C: life, thorns, cyanide;
- always soft J, Ch, W: white, black, pike.
At home and on the street, we can hear many sounds: human footsteps, the ticking of a clock, the sound of rain, the singing of birds, the horn of a car. However, the sounds of human speech stand apart and differ from others, because with their help you can form words. It is known that all sounds of the Russian language are divided into two groups: consonants and vowels. When forming vowels for air, there is no barrier in the oral cavity. But in the case of the pronunciation of consonants in the oral cavity, an obstacle arises. So, what can be what groups they are divided into, what does the expression "paired consonants" mean?
Voiceless and voiced consonants
The division into these groups is as follows: voiced consonants are pronounced with the help of noise and voice, but the deaf ones consist of one noise. The first and second can form pairs of deafness / sonority. Correlative pairing is represented by 12 rows. For example: "d" - "t", "g" - "k", "z" - "s" and others. Such sounds are paired consonants. But not all consonants can pair up. They are not formed by voiced "n", "m", "l", "d", "r", as well as deaf "c", "x", "u", "h". On the letter, sounds are indicated by the corresponding letters. It's important to be careful. Paired and unpaired consonants at the end of a word or in the middle before a consonant may sound the same, but be marked with different letters. To check their spelling, you need to find a word with the same root, so that after the checked consonant there is a vowel, and the sound leaves no doubt about the spelling. For example:
gris b- gri b s, gri pp- gri pp ozny;
ro T- ro T ova (cavity), ro d- ro d ova (castle).
Depending on the position of the tongue during the pronunciation of sounds, all consonants are divided into hard and soft. They are different phonemes. Paired consonants and unpaired consonants are distinguished. Examples of pairs: "in" - "in," , "k" - "k," , "p" - "p," and others. icon ( , ) denotes the softness of the sound during transcription. Steam does not form soft "u", "h", "d", as well as always solid "w", "g", "c". Of course, it is very important to distinguish between paired consonant sounds, hard and soft. Sometimes they even distinguish words. For example:
m ate - m ol, me l- me l b.
IN " m ate" and "me l b "highlighted consonants are soft, and in words" m ol" and "me l"- solid. Thanks to this special pronunciation, words are not confused.
When writing words, the softness of consonants can be indicated in the following ways:
- With the help of "y". For example: skates, elk, hit.
- Using the letters "i", "i", "e", "ё", "yu". These cases are: a wheel, a toss, a ball.
It is important to remember that in the middle of a word before a consonant, softness is not indicated. soft sign in the following combinations: "st", "schn", "nt", "rsch", "ch", "chk", "nsh", "nch". Pay attention to the words: LF ina, spo rsh itza, mo st iki. In the highlighted combinations, the first consonant is heard softly, but is written without
The letters "ya", "e", "ё", "yu" can represent the vowels "a", "e", "o", "y" + the softness of the consonant in front of them. In other cases (at the beginning of a word, after after "b", "b") they mean two sounds. And before the sound "and" consonants will always be pronounced softly.
So, one could notice that the creation of pairs is a feature that is very characteristic of the consonant system of the Russian language. Paired consonants are combined into groups and at the same time opposed to each other. Often they help to distinguish words.
In Russian, not all consonants can be both hard and soft. For example, in the word "song" after C is H and we mark C as a hard consonant. In writing, the hardness and softness of consonant sounds is indicated only when writing transcription. Find consonant sounds that sound before voiced paired consonants.
So, consider vowel sounds, which are divided into hard and soft. Pay attention to consonants that sound at the end of a word and before voiceless consonants. 5 letters, 6 sounds). But not all consonants and letters form pairs. Those consonants that do not have pairs are called unpaired.
Make such a reminder to the child and let it help him in distinguishing between hard and soft sounds. Apply all these methods at once and the child will learn to identify hard and soft consonants without problems. Although these consonants are paired, they are still very different. First, the child learns to understand how letters are divided into vowels and consonants. Here it is quite easy to determine the hard sound of a consonant or soft.
Having remembered this simple rule, children no longer experience difficulties in determining the hardness and softness of individual consonants if they are followed by a vowel. If, when pronouncing a word or syllable, the corners of the mouth part in a smile (i.e. one of the vowels i, e, e, u, and follows the consonant), then this consonant sound is soft. Phonetics gives a clear idea of whether a consonant will be voiced or deaf. To memorize and distinguish voiced consonants from deaf ones, we divide them into pairs. There are 11 of them in total, if we take into account soft consonants (exception -) -; -; -; -; -.
In each case, there are consonants that have a pair, as well as consonants that do not have a pair. Let's look at paired and unpaired consonants, and in what words they occur. In an unstressed position, vowels are pronounced less clearly and sound with a shorter duration (i.e., they are reduced). When letters that normally represent voiceless consonants are voiced when voiced, it seems so unusual that it can lead to errors in transcription.
In tasks related to comparing the number of letters and sounds in a word, there may be "traps" that provoke errors. If a person pronounces consonant sounds, then he closes (at least a little) his mouth, because of this, noise is obtained. But consonants make noise in different ways.
Which sounds are always hard and which are soft
You can conduct a similar experiment by placing your hands on your neck on the right and left sides, and pronounce the sounds and. The sound is pronounced much louder, more sonorous. Scientists called such sounds sonorous, and sounds that consist only of noise - deaf. Let's populate phonetic houses in the city of sounds. Let's agree: deaf sounds will live on the first floor, and sonorous sounds will live on the second.
Let's settle unpaired consonant sounds in our houses. Recall that the sound is always only soft. The sounds of the second house are also called sonorous, because they are formed with the help of a voice and almost without noise, they are very sonorous. Comparison with vowels. Each consonant has features that distinguish it from other consonants. In speech, sounds can be replaced under the influence of neighboring sounds in the word. It is important to know the strengths and weak positions consonant sounds in a word for their correct spelling.
It is necessary to teach the child to hear them and identify them by different signs. If this memo is in front of the child's eyes, it will be easier for him to remember these letters. You can print and hang over the table where the child is engaged.
It depends on the position of the letter in the word. At the end of a syllable ringing sound muffled, the same happens if the letter is in front of a deaf consonant, for example, "dove". It must be remembered that after solid consonants there are always vowels: a; about; y; e; s. If after the consonant are: and; e; Yu; I; e, then these consonants are soft.