How to Pronounce “phonology”

American (US)

/fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/

British (UK)

/fəˈnɒləd͡ʒi/

Australian (AU)

/fəˈnɔləd͡ʒi/

noun — The study of the way sounds function in languages, including accent, intonation, phonemes, stress, and syllable structure, and which sounds are distinctive units within a language; the way sounds function within a given language; a phonological system.

Where the stress falls. “phonology” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "phonology" mean?

phonology (noun): The study of the way sounds function in languages, including accent, intonation, phonemes, stress, and syllable structure, and which sounds are distinctive units within a language; the way sounds function within a given language; a phonological system.

How do you pronounce "phonology" in American vs British English?

American English: /fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/. British English: /fəˈnɒləd͡ʒi/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "phonology"?

/fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/ in American English, /fəˈnɒləd͡ʒi/ in British English, /fəˈnɔləd͡ʒi/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "phonology"?

“phonology” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /fəˈnɑləd͡ʒi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.