English and Limbu Consonant Sounds

Abstract

The thesis entitled English and Limbu Consonant Sounds mainly explores comparative investigation on consonant sounds between English and Limbu showing their similarities and differences and how and why Limbu speakers commit errors while using second language like English and Nepali.In course of writing this thesis, thirty-five informants were consulted. Some were Limbu English teachers and some were well known Limbu authors. They were contacted, met and discussed in order to collect primary sources of data. Apart from this, various kinds of articles,journals, magazines, Limbu books along with doctorate dissertation, and sourcebooks were consulted as secondary sources of data.The selected informants were visited and they were given the set of questionnaires to answer. According to the study, it is found that Limbu and English consonant sounds are different in many ways. Limbu consonant sounds are mainly of two types: phonemic and allophonic.More interestingly, the study of sounds,on the one hand, shows how phonemic consonant sounds become allophonic consonant sounds under certain environment and this, on the other hand, creates differences in pronunciation and understanding. The conflicts between the prevailing or recognized and proposed Limbu sound symbols are shown andanalyzedhere. The conflicts are seen mainly in consonant sounds and phonic symbols. The study consists of four chapters. The first chapter deals with introduction(general background, review of related literature, objectives of the study,significance of the study and definition of the related terms). Chapter two incorporates methodology, which reveals how the research was carried out. It includes sources of data, population of the study, sampling procedure, research tool,process of data collection and limitation of the study. Chapter three deals with analysis and interpretation. It includes an analysis of Limbu Consonants,distribution of English and Limbu consonants, phonic symbols, three term description, minimal pairs, comparison of English and Limbu consonants,fundamental rules for pronouncing Limbu consonants, the principle of contrast and complementation,changes, inclusions and debates. Chapter four shows the findings and recommendations. It also deals with pedagogical implications.