Standards of pronunciation as a criterion of Ukrainian language euphony (based on orthoepic dictionaries)

Oksana Bas-Kononenko
Candidate of Philology, Docent; Associate Professor of the Department of the Ukrainian Language and Applied Linguistics of the Institute of Philology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
14 Taras Shevchenko Avenue, Кyiv 01601, Ukraine
E-mail: baskon@ukr.net

Heading: Researches
Language: Ukrainian

Abstract: The state of standards of pronunciation in Ukrainian literary language was analysed on the basis of three orthoepic dictionaries covering the period from the second half of the 20th century until the beginning of the 21st century. Euphony is to be considered as an invariant feature of Ukrainian language, as it is a result of systemic interaction of existing phonetic, lexico-grammatical and stylistic means that provide a harmonious sound organisation of speech. Two of the most important factors form euphony: 1) balance of vocalic and consonantal components within a phonetic word; 2) gradual flow of language caused by its special accentual and rhythmical structure. Orthoepy as a system of literary pronunciation standards regulates the use of sound sequences at syntagmatic level – from the smallest ones (syllables) to substantially bigger ones (syntagms and phrases), it organizes rhythmical and accent structure of an oral text. Euphony constituted and formalized with the help of orthoepic standards guarantees effective speech communication, allows identifying a sound form of Ukrainian among other languages.

Analysis of lexicographic orthoepic sources testified that nowadays in Ukrainian linguistics there exist authoritative orthoepic dictionaries with substantial scientific tools, but they are too few (in fact, there are two of them — Ukrainian Literary Pronunciation and Stress and Orthoepic Dictionary by Pohribnyj), and they are old enough (1973, 1984). There are many differences in symbols of phonetic transcription in analysed dictionaries that considerably complicate the process of learning orthoepic material by students enrolled in philology at universities and in secondary schools. Registries of dictionaries also require qualitative and quantitative updates.

To sum up, there is an urgent need for creating a new orthoepic dictionary which would take into account a long-term tradition and the most recent phonetic research of modem Ukrainian speech, eliminate inaccuracies and discrepancies because inconsistencies and unjustified variation lead to erosion of pronunciation standards that ultimately mins euphony of language.

Keywords: speech, standards of pronunciation, orthoepic dictionary, euphony.

LEGEND

УЛВН – Vykhovanetsʹ, I.R., Yermolenko, S.Ya., Sologub, N.M., Shcherbatyuk, G.H. (compilers). (1973). Ukrainian literary pronunciation and emphasis. Dictionary-directory. Kyiv (in Ukr.).

ОСП – Pohribnyy M.I. (compiler). (1984). Orthoepic Dictionary. Kyiv (in Ukr.).

ОСУМ – Peshchak, M.M., Rusanivsky, V.M., Sologub, N.M., Chumak, V.V., Yarun, G.M. (compilers). (2001; 2003). Orthoepic Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 2 volumes. (Dictionaries of Ukraine). Vol. 1: A – N. Kyiv; Vol. 2: O – Ya. Kyiv (in Ukr.).

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