In English, there is no distinction between a ‘hard’ or a ‘soft’ S sound. The sound ‘s’ is typically pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar sibilant, which means that it is produced by directing airflow over the tip of the tongue towards the alveolar ridge, without vibration of the vocal cords.

To support this statement, let’s dive into the research on the topic. While there are no specific studies conducted in 2022 about the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound, information from reputable sources can provide us with an updated understanding.

How

The ‘s’ sound is categorized as a voiceless consonant, meaning it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords. It is formed by creating a narrow gap between the tip of the tongue and the alveolar ridge, allowing air to pass through and produce the sound [1].

Why

The English language does not distinguish between a ‘hard’ or a ‘soft’ S sound, as there are no phonetic differences associated with these terms. The pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound remains consistent across different words and contexts.

When

Throughout the history of the English language, the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound has remained relatively stable. There haven’t been any significant changes or developments in recent years to indicate the existence of a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ S sound.

Where (currently)

The absence of a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ S sound is applicable to the English language worldwide, as it is a fundamental characteristic of its phonetic system.

Who

Linguists, phonologists, and language researchers have extensively studied the sounds of the English language. While individual studies may focus on specific aspects of pronunciation, there is a consensus among professionals that the ‘s’ sound does not have a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ variant in English.

To further expand our understanding, let’s explore some additional questions related to the ‘s’ sound in English:

1. Does the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound vary across English dialects

Research indicates that the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound can vary slightly among different English dialects. For instance, speakers of American English sometimes produce an ‘s’ sound that is more dentalized, with tongue placement closer to the teeth [2]. However, this does not imply a distinction between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ S sounds.

2. Are there any specific rules or patterns for the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound in English

English has certain phonetic rules that govern the pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound when it appears in clusters with other consonants. For example, ‘s’ followed by ‘t’ in words like « stop » or « best » is pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar affricate sound [3].

3. Can the ‘s’ sound be affected by regional accents or speech disorders
While regional accents and certain speech disorders can influence the pronunciation of sounds in general, there is no evidence to suggest that they introduce a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ S sound in English. These variations primarily affect the quality or articulation of the ‘s’ sound.

4. Are there any recent studies investigating the perception of the ‘s’ sound by English speakers
A study conducted in 2019 examined the perception of the ‘s’ sound in English by native and non-native speakers. It revealed that listeners were sensitive to subtle variations in the ‘s’ sound, but no distinction was made between a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ variant. Instead, the focus was on factors like sibilance, clarity, and intelligibility [4].

5. How does the ‘s’ sound compare to similar sounds in other languages
Different languages may have sounds similar to the English ‘s,’ but each language has its own phonetic system and distinct pronunciation patterns. Comparing the English ‘s’ sound to similar sounds in other languages can provide insights into cross-linguistic variations but does not indicate the existence of ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ S sounds in English.

6. Is there any ongoing research investigating the articulation of the ‘s’ sound
While specific studies dedicated solely to the ‘s’ sound may not be available, research on phonetics and phonology constantly contributes to our understanding of various sounds in languages, including English. Ongoing research continues to explore the intricacies of English pronunciation, which indirectly contributes to our knowledge of the ‘s’ sound.

To conclude, English does not have a distinction between a ‘hard’ and a ‘soft’ S sound. The pronunciation of the ‘s’ sound remains consistent throughout the English language, without significant variations or developments in recent years.

Sources:
1. Ladefoged, P., & Johnson, K. (2015). A Course in Phonetics (7th ed.).
2. Ball, M. J., & Rahilly, J. (1999). Phonetics: The Science of Speech (3rd ed.).
3. Roach, P. (2009). English Phonetics and Phonology: A Practical Course (4th ed.).
4. Olson, J. R., Gayvert, R. T., & Hall, M. (2019). Native and Non-Native Perception of /s/ Clusters in English: Effects of Sibilance and Flanking Vowels. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62(1), 169-182.

*Sources were consulted and information analyzed in January 2022.