Linking

1. Definition:

• Linking in phonetics refers to the phenomenon where a normally silent sound, often a consonant, is pronounced between two words to facilitate smooth transitions in connected speech. This often occurs when the first word ends with a vowel sound, and the next word begins with one.

2. Purpose in Connected Speech:

• Linking helps maintain the rhythm and flow of spoken language, ensuring speech sounds more natural and less disjointed.
• It is a hallmark of native-like fluency.

3. Common Types of Linking in English:

• Linking [r]: When an "r" at the end of a word is pron78ounced before a vowel sound.
  Example: "Here it is" → /hɪər ɪt ɪz/
• Intrusion: The addition of a sound (often /r/, /j/, or /w/) to link two vowels that would otherwise create a glottal stop.
  Example: "I saw it" → /aɪ sɔː r ɪt/

4. Rules for Linking:

• Linking [r]: Happens only if the word contains a written "r" and the next word starts with a vowel sound.
• Intrusive [r]: No written "r" in the first word, but /r/ is added between two vowel sounds for smoother transition.
• Linking [w] and [j]: Occurs between back and front vowels, respectively:
• [w]: "Go on" → /ɡəʊ w ɒn/
• [j]: "I agree" → /aɪ j əˈɡriː/

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Sentences with Consonant Linking and Dropping

1. Next day → /nekst deɪ/ → /nek deɪ/
2. First time → /fɜːst taɪm/ → /fɜːs taɪm/
3. Best friend → /best frɛnd/ → /bes frɛnd/
4. Fast car → /fɑːst kɑː/ → /fɑːs kɑː/
5. Old man → /əʊld mæn/ → /əʊl mæn/
6. Left side → /left saɪd/ → /lef saɪd/
7. Cold drink → /kəʊld drɪŋk/ → /kəʊl drɪŋk/
8. Handbag → /hænd bæg/ → /hæn bæg/
9. Soft toy → /sɒft tɔɪ/ → /sɒf tɔɪ/
10. Kind boy → /kaɪnd bɔɪ/ → /kaɪn bɔɪ/
11. Round table → /raʊnd teɪbəl/ → /raʊn teɪbəl/
12. Grand piano → /ɡrænd pɪˈænəʊ/ → /ɡræn pɪˈænəʊ/
13. Liked that → /laɪkt ðæt/ → /laɪk ðæt/
14. Big garden → /bɪɡ ɡɑːdn/ → /bɪ ɡɑːdn/
15. Last chance → /lɑːst tʃɑːns/ → /lɑːs tʃɑːns/