phonetics
UK: fəˈnɛtɪks | US: fəˈnɛtɪks
n. the study and classification of speech sounds, including their production, transmission, and perception.
phonetics = phon<sound> + etics<study of>
- phon<sound>: From Greek phōnē (φωνή), meaning "voice" or "sound."
- etics<study of>: Derived from Greek -etikos (-ητικός), a suffix forming adjectives related to a field of study (later adapted into English as -etics for nouns).
Etymology Origin:
The word phonetics traces back to Greek roots, combining phōnē (sound) with -etikos (pertaining to study). It reflects the scientific discipline focused on analyzing speech sounds, evolving through Latin (phoneticus) and French (phonétique) before entering English in the 19th century. The morphemes logically align with the word’s function: phon anchors the core concept of sound, while -etics signals its academic scope.
Phonetics is essential for understanding regional accents.
She majored in phonetics to improve her speech therapy techniques.
The professor demonstrated vowel sounds in the phonetics lab.
English phonetics can be challenging for non-native speakers.
His research bridges phonetics and cognitive science.