Some Problems in Teaching Russian Phonetics and Intonation to Icelandic Students.

Abstract

This article concerns the teaching of Russian phonetics and intonation to Icelandic students. The Russian phonetic and intonation course is based both on the comparative analysis of Russian and Icelandic phonetic systems, rhythmic and intonational models, and analysis of the mistakes Icelandic students make when studying the Russian language. The Icelandic accent was analysed on three levels: elementary, basic and intermediate. In the study the following problems persisted:

1) Icelandic students do not differentiate between hard and soft, and voiced and unvoiced consonants. There are also other consonants which cannot be distinguished, for example [c] – [?] – [?’:], [?’] – [?’].

2) Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is a difficult concept for the students to grasp; likewise the pronunciation of a preposition before its agent.

3) With regard to intonation, tonal movement in a sentence is usually not recognized. Exercises dealing with these problems are shown in the article.