3.

FRICATIVE

• Type of closure or narrowing: the two organs approximate

to such extent that the air stream passes through them
with friction. Sounds with this manner of articulation can
be prolonged as long as the breath holds out.
• The fricative consonants are:
1. Labio-dental fricative /f and v/
2. Dental fricative / and ð/
3. Alveolar fricative /s and z/
4. Palato alveolar fricative /ʃ and ʒ/
5. Glottal fricative /h/.
Descriptions of /f/

• distinctive features
/ f / is consonantal, continuant, anterior, strident, voiceless, labiodentals,
fricative.
• pronunciation
When we pronounce / f / the lower lip is pressed against the upper teeth and
causing the air to force its way between them. The soft palate is raised. There
is no vibration in the vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ f / occurs initially, medially and finally.
• spelling forms
f, ff, ph, gh feet, fit, father, fool, fail, photo, affair, offer, defend, leaf, fry,
laugh, cough, stuff, strife, fly,
Descriptions of /v/

• distinctive features
/ v / is consonantal, anterior, continuant, voice, and strident.
• pronunciation
When we pronounce / v /, the lower lip is pressed against
the upper teeth and causing the air to force its way between
them. There is vibration in vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ v / occurs initially, medially, and finally.
• spelling forms
v, f, ph villa, veil, of, nephew.
Labio-Dental Fricative /f and v/

Dental Fricative / and ð/

Descriptions of /  /

• distinctive features
/ θ / is consonantal, coronal, anterior, voice, and continuant.
• pronunciation
When we pronounce / θ /, the tip of the tongue is held closely to the
upper teeth and allowing the air to stream through the narrow passage
thus formed. The soft palate is raised. There is vibration in vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ θ / occurs initially, medially, and finally.
• spelling form
th think, thank, method, month, south
• Notice that th is pronounced t in Thames /temz/, Thomas /toməs, and
thyme /taɪm/.
 Descriptions of /
ð/

• pronunciation
When we pronounce / ð /, it is articulated like /
θ /. Except that there is a vibration in the vocal
cords.
• occurrences
/ ð / occurs initially, medially and finally.
• spelling form
• th there, this, then, soothe, clothe,
Descriptions of /s/

• distinctive features
/ s / is consonantal, continuant, anterior, coronal, strident, voiceless,
alveolar, fricative.
• pronunciation
/ s / is articulated between the blade or tip and blade of the tongue
and the teeth ridge. The air passage at the point of articulation is
extremely narrow. The soft plate is raised. The teeth are close
together. The lips are spread. Theme is no vibration in the vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ s / occurs initially, medially and finally.
• spelling forms
s, ss, c, sc, x (ks) cease, pieces, losses, essay, exes, concert, escape,,
scarce, helps
 Descriptions of /z/

• distinctive features
/ z / is consonantal, continuant, anterior, coronal, voice,
strident, alveolar, fricative.
• pronunciation
/ z / is articulated like / s / except that the vocal cords vibrate
• occurrences
/ z / occurs initially, medially and finally.
• spelling forms
s, ss, z, zz, x (gz) zeal, zest, easy, hesitate, bazaar, thousand,
palsy, fees, is, says, was, ooze,
Example, examine
Alveolar Fricative /s and z/
Descriptions of / ʃ /
• distinctive features
/ ʃ / Is consonantal, continuant, coronal, high, voiceless, strident, palatal,
fricative.
• pronunciation
/ ʃ / is articulated between the tip and the blade of the tongue and the
back teeth ridge, and the main body of the tongue is raised at the same
time in the direction of the hard palate. The air passage at the point of
articulation is wider than for / s /, but the main body of the tongue is
closer to the palate. The soft palate is raised. The teeth are fairly close
together. The lips are protruded. There is no vibration in the vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ ʃ / occurs initially, medially and finally.
• spelling forms
sh, ch, sch, s or ss before u, -ti-, -si-, I -, ee – sheet, shed, special, ocean,
shop, sugar, charade, assure, schedule, nation, mansion, machine,
conscience, Asia,
Descriptions of / ʒ /

• distinctive features
/ ʒ / is consonantal, continuant, coronal, high, voice, strident,
palatal, fricative.
• pronunciation
/ ʒ / is articulated like / ʃ /, except that there is a vibration in the
vocal cords.
• occurrences
/ ʒ / occurs medially and finally.
• spelling forms
si, s, z, before u, and, in French loan words, final – ge –gigue,
vision, measure, seizure, beige, pleasure, leisure, usual,
confusion, decision, prestige,
Descriptions of /h/

• distinctive features
/ h / is continuant, low, sonorant, glottal, voiceless, fricative.
• pronunciation
When we pronounce / h /, the mouth is held in position for the
vowel immediately while air is emitted t, through the wide
open glottis, producing audible friction, the soft palate is raised
and there is no vibration in the vocal cords.
• occurrences: initially and medially
• spelling forms
h, wh how, hat, who, whom, heat, hate, high, hallo, ahead,
behave, behind, perhaps, anyhow.