Spoken Words, Vocabulary Development: Consonant Sounds /w/ – SS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

SPOKEN WORDS: CONSONANT /w/

/w/ is a voiced labiovelar approximant. This means that it is made by rounding the lips and bringing the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, with the vocal cords vibrating. The sound is similar to the sound of the letter w in the word wet. Example: wet, want, wind, woman. 

To articulate /w/ the back of the tongue is raised towards the soft palate to a position slightly higher than it takes for the production of /u:/. At the same time, the lips are as rounded as they are for /u:/ while the vocal cords vibrate. Although the upper and lower lips do not make any contact to obstruct the flow of air, /w/ is described as a voiced bilabial consonant.

The spelling symbols are as follows:

1. w- well,
2. wh- when
3.  qu- pronounced /kw/- quick

Less common spelling symbols occur in words like ‘one’, ‘once’ and ‘choir’

More words that contain /w/- where, twine, inward, swell, queen, way, quell.

The two sounds are called glides because the tongue glides immediately to the position for the production of the vowel after them.

Vocabulary development: words associated with agriculture 

1. Pasture: This is a grassland on which grass-eating animals feed.
2. Pullet: This is a young hen.
3. Vaccinate: Inject with a vaccine as protection against illness.
4. Veterinarian or veterinary doctor: A person who treats animals.
5. Fish-net: It is used to catch fish cane poles and lines. Those are also used to catch fish.
6. Ripples: A small wave on the surface of the water after a net or cane pole has been thrown into the water.
7. Bait: Anything used to attract fish so that it may be caught e.g. earthworm.
8. Float: A piece of wood or cork at the end of a fishing line (or string) which moves when a fish bites the hook.
9. Trawler: A boat used for fishing. It drags the fishnet behind it.
10. Fish pond: A small area of still water, especially one that is artificial where fish are nurtured for consumption
11. Fishery: A part of a sea or river where fish are caught in large quantities. 
12. Fish farm: A place where fish are bred as a business.