THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN PRONUNCIATION MASTERY AND SPEAKING ABILITY
BY
NURDIANA
FAKULTAS TARBIYAH DAN KEGURUAN
UNIVERSITAS
ISLAM NEGERI SULTAN SYARIF KASIM RIAU
PEKANBARU
1432
H/ 2011
THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN PRONUNCIATION MASTERY
AND SPEAKING
ABILITY
A. INTRODUCTION
Speaking is an
important aspect in language learning, by speaking we can convey information
and ideas, and maintain social relationship one another. In addition, a large
percentage of the world’s language learners study English in order to be able
to communicate fluency. Clark and Cark state that communication with language
is to carry out two basic human activities through speaking and listening.[1]
In speaking or comprehending a language, people implicitly confirm a system that
relates sounds to meaning.
Speaking as one of the
communicative competences must be developed. Through speaking or conversation,
the students can obtain ideas, messages and information. Therefore, in
Indonesia curriculum, speaking is one of the language skills which is demanded
to be mastered by the students.
The aim of speaking is
to convey information to others. So, there is feedback whenever the information
is sent. Speaking is key for communication. For the students, the ability of
speaking is an important measurement of academic success. In teaching speaking,
teachers should have ability to guide students in learning and increasing
students’ speaking ability.
There are many aspects
that influence speaking as one of the important skills. One of the aspects is
pronunciation. Pronouncing the word correctly is very important because error
pronunciation can build misunderstanding between speaker and interlocutor. As
Hewing Martin states pronunciation is particularly relevant to understand
English[2].
Based on the interview
with English teachers, most of the students are still low in speaking because
they still have problems with their pronunciation. It can indicated by some
factual:
1. Some
of the students are able to pronounce the English vowels but they unable to
speak English well
2. Some
of the students are unable to pronounce the English consonants but they are
able to speak English comprehensively
3. Some
of the students are able to pronounce the English diphthongs correctly but
their speaking English is not understandable.
In fact, correct pronunciation is seen
as a prerequisite to develop the speaking skill. In this working paper will
describe the relationship between pronunciation mastery and speaking ability. Based
on the factual above, the writer formulates this paper as follows: “How is the
relationship between pronunciation toward speaking ability?”
B. DISCUSSION
1. The
nature of Speaking ability
Speaking is one of the
aspects in learning in the language, speaking can be described as the ability
of person to express his ideas or to deliver the messages to other people. In
speaking, someone must be able to make other people understand what he or she
says. If the other people can catch the point from speaking, it is an activity
of presenting thought or ideas in spoken language. In four English skills
(listening, reading, speaking, and writing), speaking seems the most
intuitively important thing: people who know language are referred to as
‘speaker’ of that language and the people who do not know the language are as
foreign language learner[3]
In speaking, someone
needs a language. The language is to make the communication with other people
run well. From language, the people can get what he or she means. To achieve
it, someone needs to know the characteristics of communicative view of
language. There are four characteristics of communicative view of language:[4]
a.
Language is a system for the expression
of meaning
b.
The primary function of language is for
interaction and communication to other people
c.
The structure of language reflects its
functional and communicative uses
d.
The primary units of language are not
merely its grammatical and structural features, but categories of functional
and communicative meaning as exemplified in discourse.
This
analysis shows how easily speaking skill can be accommodated within this
particular view of language. Then, to produce speaking, there are some
necessary elements:[5]
1.
Connected speech: effective speakers of
English need to be able not only to produce the individual phonemes of English.
2.
Expressive devices:
native speakers of English change hen pitch and stress of particular parts of
utterances, vary volume and speed, and show by other physical and non-verbal
(paralinguistic) means how they are feeling (especially in face-to-face
interaction). The use of these devices contributes to the ability to convey the
meaning.
3.
Lexis and grammar: spontaneous speech is
marked by the use of number of common lexical phrases, especially in the
performance of certain language functions.
4.
Negotiation of language: effective
speaking benefits from the negotiatory language that someone uses to seek
clarification and to show the structure of what he or she is saying.
Besides,
to be successful in communication, improving speaking ability is much needed
for whoever because the aim of speaking is able to uses the language being
learned. Therefore, the language learners need to recognize that speaking
involves three areas of knowledge:[6]
1.
Mechanics (pronunciation, grammar, and
vocabulary): using the right words in the right order with the correct
pronunciation.
2. Functions
( transaction and interaction): knowing when clarity of message is essential
(transaction/information
exchange) and when precise understanding is not required
(interaction/relationship building
3. Social
and culture rules and norms (turn-taking, rate of speech, length of pause
between speakers, relative roles of participants): understanding how to take
into account who is speaking to whom, in what circumstances, about what, and
for what reason.
From
the related speaking can make conclusion. There are six points that she/he must
think simultaneously, those are:
a. Deciding
what the students want to say
b. Selecting
the appropriate words to convey the meaning
c. The
pattern students are going to use
d. Using
the correct arrangement of sound voice, pitch and forms
e. Making
sure that the students want to say Indonesia appropriate situation
f. Placing
their tongue and lips in certain position
Jeremy
Harmer 1988 (in Fitri (2006:16) says “a part of speaker’s productive ability
involves the knowledge of language skills, they are:
a. Language processing
One of the main reasons for including speaking
activities in language lesson is help students develop habits of rapid language
processing in English
b. Interacting
with other
This
means that effective speaking also involves a good listening, an understanding
of how the other participants are feeling a knowledge of how linguistically to
take turn or allow other to do linguistically.
c. Information processing
Quite a part from our response to
others’ feeling, we also need to be able to process the information; they tell
us the moment, we get it. The longer it takes for the penny to
drop the less effective we are as instant communication.
According to Harris (1969) there are
some aspects that have great influence in speaking such as:
a. Pronunciation
Pronunciation
is very important one. All words are made up of sound and speaker of language that need to know this
sound. If they understand what is said to them and understood in their turn.
The sound produced in unfamiliar ways makes one able to understand what the
sound means. Without the sound system, we will not know how to break up the
flow of speech into sound communication that cannot occur well. The sound of
speech that is generally assumed to be basis of pronunciation is the consonant
and vowel, but the above definition also refers to accent, inflection, and
intonation as equally important part of the sound misunderstood if the tone of
language is missing.
b. Vocabulary
Vocabulary is one of the aspects needed in speaking. Vocabulary
means that total number of words in a language.[7]
Vocabulary is an essential part for successful second language use. Without an
extensive vocabulary, we will not be able to use the structures and the
function that we have learned for
comprehensible communication. If we master it, we can speak English.
c. Grammar
A grammar consists of principles or rules that allows you to
create an infinite number of words.[8]
There are many topics explained in grammar. Grammar is needed in learning the
four language skills that include speaking. The use of grammar in speaking is
to make the meaning of the communication clearer.
d. Comprehension
In brief speaking, one not only knows how to produce specific
points of language that include grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and
fluency, but also to understand when, why, and what ways to use the language.
Comprehension here means that the power to understand the meaning of
communication.
e. Fluency
Fluency in speaking can be signed with the process of
communication that can run well. Fluency is probably best achieved by allowing
the air stream of speech to follow some of this speech spill over beyond
comprehensibility.
From the related speaking components can make conclusion that
speaking is important parts in English skill. To know someone master or not can
be saw in their ability in speaking English correctly and clearly.
2. Nature
of Pronunciation
Pronunciation is the way of languages, so spoken classes
consists of limitation drills, memorization of patterns, minimal pair exercises
and explanations of articulator phonetics. It is a key to gain full
communicative competence.
Generally, all know that pronunciation is what we are
learning about how to pronounce the words correctly and clearly. In pronouncing
the words, we produce the sound of the words correctly by putting the organs of speech in the right
position of the words. Automatically, the sound will be pronounced correctly,
clear and can be understood by the audience.
English is taught as a foreign language. It is used for
communication. To communicate in English, we must have good pronunciation (in
order to deliver the message successfully to interlocutor and to avoid
misunderstanding), which is called standard of speech.
1. The
function of pronunciation in a language
In speaking, pronunciation is very important aspect. Correct
pronunciation can help us to understand more in communication. It means that
error in pronunciation can make misunderstanding between speaker and audience.
Concerning the importance of pronunciation, there are three
basic reasons in practicing and developing good English pronunciation, they are
as follows:
a.
Other people will understand us more
easily when we speak
b.
It
will help us to hear English sound better
c.
Being able to say a word with its
correct pronunciation makes it easier to learn the words and its meaning.
2.Pronunciation
of English sounds
English sounds are
divided into three groups: Vowels, Consonants, and Diphthongs. Vowels are
sounds produced by moving certain part of the tongue to a certain height but still there is no
obstruction of the air stream. The
quality of vowels depends upon the position of the tongue and lips. Vowels may
be arranged according to the position of the highest point of the tongue.
There are front vowels, in the production of which of the tongue
is raised in the direction of the
palate. The sounds are /i:/, /i/, /e/, /
/. There are back vowels in production of which the ‘back’ of the tongue
is raised in the direction of soft palate. The sounds are /u:/, /u/, /o/, /o:/.
And there are vowels intermediate between front and back called central vowels.
The sounds are / /,
/ /, /
/, /a/.
Consonant are sounds produced by obstructing the stream of air
coming out from the lungs by organs of speech somewhere in the mouth or nose.
The sounds are /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/, /c/, /j/, /s/, /z/, /s/, /z/, /f/,
/v/, /o/, /0/, /h/, /l/, /m/, /n/, /n/, /w/, /r/, /y/.
Based
on manner of articulation, consonants are classified into six classes; they are
stops, affricates, fricatives, lateral, nasals, glides. Stops are produced by
stopping the flow of air and then
releasing suddenly. The sounds are
/p,b,t,d,k,g/. Affricates are produced by stopping the flow of air and
releasing slowly. They consist of /c,j/. Fricatives are produced by obstructing
the air in such a way that some sort of friction is heard. The sounds are
/s,z,s,z,f,v,o,0,h/. Lateral is produced by the flow of air around one or both
sides of tongue. It is /l/. Nasals are produced by the flow of air through the
passage in the nose, namely /m, n, n/. Lastly, glides are produced by starting
from the position of consonants and then gliding to the position of the
following vowels. They are /w, r, y/
Meanwhile, diphthongs are sounds made by gliding the position of
the tongue from one vowel to another without a break at all in between. There
are two kinds of diphthong; closing and centering diphthongs. Closing
diphthongs are diphthongs which are made by making a pure vowel and then moving
the tongue to a position of a higher vowel. The sounds are /ei/, /ou/, /oi/,
/ai/, /au/. And centering diphthongs are diphthongs which are made by making a pure
vowel and then moving the tongue to the position of a central vowel. The sounds
are /i /, /e /, /u /,/o /.[9]
3. Supra segmental sounds of English
According to Zainuddin (1995) that supra segmental sounds of English consist of word
stress, intonation and pitch, pause, and
rhythm.
a. Stress
In
English, each vowel sound and its nearby consonant from a syllable. Every word
is made of one or more syllables. One syllable of word is spoken louder or with
more force that the other syllable, this is called the stressed syllable.
b. Intonation
and pitch
Intonation
is the tune of what we say, more specifically, this is the combination of
musical tones (pitch) on which we pronounce the syllable that makes our speech.
Intonation is important grammatically in distinguishing one type of sentence
from another; and it is also important in signaling the attitude of speaker in
what is saying.
c. Pause
English
is spoken in groups of words, separated by pauses. There are two kinds of
pause, a short pause and final bar for the final pause.
d. Rhythm
The
beat of strong stressed syllables in an English sentence help establish a rhythm, one stressed
syllable in a sentence is a little stronger that the other. Stressed syllables,
this syllable is said to have sentence stress.
4. Aspects
that influence pronunciation mastery
Kenworthy (in Brown 1987) identifies six factors affecting
pronunciation:
a. Native
language
Language
will be most influential factor affecting a learner’s pronunciation. Native
language often interferes the second language acquisition to pronunciation
skill and it might be influenced by the differences of both languages.
b. Age
Critical
period hypothesis stated that there is time in human development when the brain
is predisposed for success in language. The younger age when the learner begins
to acquire English, the better the learner’s pronunciation.
c. Exposure
Exposure,
the target language can refer to both of the length of time and the intensity
of the
exposure over time. So, the quality and intensity of exposure is more
important than the more length of the time. If class time spend focusing on
pronunciation demands the full attention and interest of the students. Then they stand a good chance of reaching
their goals.
d. Innate
phonetics ability
Some
people have good ability in phonetics but not in others. Their organ supports
them to pronounce each word correctly. Some people simply have more skill at or
aptitude for imitating and producing sound and sound pattern that are new to
learn.
e. Identity
and language ego (Attitude)
Attitude
and identity have positive relationship to pronunciation ability of someone who
has positive attitude toward the target language and its speakers may affect
his or her pronunciation ( the more favorable the attitude, the better his
pronunciation, is for the highly motivated learner is not opposed to sounding
life of the target speakers).
f. Motivation and concern for good pronunciation
The
motivation is related to success in learning second language and foreign
language, so this factor greatest importance in pronunciation instruction; if
the learner’s motivation to improve is strong.
3. The
relationship between Pronunciation Mastery and Speaking Ability
In learning English,
speaking is one of the important skills that should be mastered by students. As
a productive skill, speaking provides students large opportunity to practice
their English through speaking. They must be able to develop their ideas and
convey their intended meaning as clear as possible in speaking. Therefore, they
also have to be mastered other components such as pronunciation and vocabulary. Speaking is one of the language skills that are
very important for communication. So, it is important to realize that speaking
ability of the learners must be increased in order that they can express their
feeling with appropriate meaning.[10]
There are five components that influence
speaking ability, one of them is pronunciation mastery. Pronunciation and
speaking has a relationship. Speaking has been become the first priority to be
taught between the four English language skills. Pronunciation can influence
speaking because pronunciation is a key to gain full communicative competence.
If
pronunciation is a key to gain full communicative competence, so the students
have to increase their pronunciation in
order to get good speaking. The orally produced language will be broken down if
not using grammar or structure, vocabulary and pronunciation.[11]
From the explanation above, it can be
said that pronunciation is very important aspect in speaking. Correct
pronunciation can help us to understand more in communication. It means that
error in pronunciation can make misunderstanding between speaker and audience.
Example of error in pronunciation of
English sounds,
A : Hi…Would you like
to give me the bowl?
B : Hi… Oh, you need
the ball?
Ok, I’ll take it..
A : ????
Based on the dialogue, it shows that how
influence the pronunciation of English words in speaking English. The word bowl
[boul] and ball [boll] has different meaning but it seems same in pronouncing
the words.
So, when the students are active in
increasing their pronunciation, of course their ability in producing the words
increases too.
C. CONCLUSION
This working
paper has described the relationship between pronunciation mastery and speaking
ability. In pronouncing the words, we produce the sound of the words correctly
by putting the organs of speech in the right position of the words.
Automatically, the sound will be pronounced correctly, clear and can be understood
by the audiences and also they can catch what we mean in our speaking. So,
using good pronunciation is very important to develop the ideas and convey the
intended meaning in speaking. And also pronunciation can influence speaking
because pronunciation is a key to gain full communicative competence.
REFERENCES
Harmer, Jeremy.2001. The
Practice of English Language Teaching.Harlow:
Pearson education
Herbert, Clark.1977.Psychology
and Language: An Introduction
to Psycholinguistics.Standard University
Hourcourt Brace Jouanouich. Inc
Hornby,
A.S.1998. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English.New
York: Oxford University
Kalayo
Hasibuan, Muhammad Fauzan Ansyari. 2007.Teaching English As a Foreign
Language(TEFL).Pekanbaru: Alaf Riau Graha UNRI Press
Martin, Hewing. 2007. English
Pronunciation in Use Advanced. New York: Cambridge University Press
McDonough, Jo.
Christopher Shaw.2003.Material and Methods in ELT.Malden: Blackwell
Murcia
and Mariane, Celce. 1987.Teaching English as a Foreign Language. New
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Penny, Ur. 1991.A
Course in Language Teaching Practice and Theory. New York: Cambridge
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Richard,
Jack. C.John Platt and Heidi Platt.1992. Longman Dictionary of Language
Teaching and Applied Linguistics.Harlow: Pearson Education
Zainuddin HRL, et al.2002. English
Pronunciation for Indonesian Students.Padang: UNP Press
1Clark Herbert. Psychology
and Language: An Introduction
to Psycholinguistics. Standard
University Hourcourt Brace Jouanouich. Inc.p.3
[5]
Jeremy
Harmer. The Practice of English
Language Teaching,(Harlow: Pearson education,2001) p.269
[6]
Kalayo
Hasibuan, Muhammad Fauzan Ansyari. Teaching English As a Foreign
Language(TEFL).( Pekanbaru: Alaf Riau Graha UNRI Press,2007) p. 101
[7]
A.S.
Hornby. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English.( New
York: Oxford University,1998) p.1425
[8]
Jack
Richard C.John Platt and Heidi Platt. Longman Dictionary of Language
Teaching and Applied Linguistics.( Harlow: Pearson Education, 1992) p.6
[9]
Zainuddin
HRL, et al. English Pronunciation for Indonesian Students.( Padang: UNP Press,2002)
p.16-46
[10]
Kalayo
Hasibuan, Muhammad Fauzan Ansyari, Loc.Cit.,p.101
[11]
Murcia and
Mariane, Celce. Teaching English as a Foreign Language.( New York:
Oxford University Press, 1987) p. 133
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