Contents: Introduction Chapter Phonetics as a branch of linguistics Aspects and units of phonetics Chapter Branches of phonetics Chapter Methods of phonetic analysis Conclusion Bibliography Introduction Phonetics

1. General phonetics – studies general laws, formulates general theories (theory of intonation, syllable, formation, phoneme)
2. Special phonetics – based on general phonetics. Deals with phonetic peculiarities of certain language.
3. Some linguists distinguish historical phonetics – it traces the development of the phonetic system in the course of time finding out the basic laws of the system.
Phonetics studies the way phonetic means are used in this or that particular situation which exercises the conditioning influence of a set of factors, which are referred to as extralinguistic. The aim of phonetics is to analyze all possible kinds of spoken utterances with the main purpose of identifying the phonetic features, both segmental and suprasegmental, which are restricted to certain kinds of contexts, to explain why such features have been used and to classify them into categories, based upon a view of their function.
Style-forming and style-modifying factors:
Style forming factor is the aim or purpose of the utterance. The aim is the strategy of the speaker.

1. 
   the form of communication (monologue or dialogue);
   
2. 
   the speaker’s attitude to the situation (emotions, thoughts, etc);
   
3. 
   the degree of formality ( formal – informal);
   
4. 
   the degree of spontaneity or of preparedness, the speaker’s educational background played a great role.
   

Styles of speech according to the purpose of communication.

1. 
   informational
   
2. 
   academic (scientific)
   
3. 
   publicistic (oratorical)
   
4. 
   declamatory (artistic)
   
5. 
   colloquial (familiar)
   

1. 
   Using the informational style the speaker ought to be careful not to distract the listener by what he is saying (TV-announcers). Written representation of oral and prepared speech.
   
2. 
   Scientific style is used in lectures or science subjects or when reading out loud a piece of scientific prose. The purpose is to attract the listener’s attention to what is the most important in the lecture.
   
3. 
   Publicistic style is used by politicians, the purpose is to except the influence of the listener to convince him of something, and make him accept the speaker’s point of view.
   
4. 
   It is used in reading poetry, prose aloud, in stage speech to appeal to the feelings of the listener.
   
5. 
   Conversational formulae familiar of everyday communication are used in speech of friends within similar groups. It can have a wide range of intonation patterns.