Consonants

Vowels
Major Phonetic Classes
The sounds of all languages fall
into two classes:
CONSONANTS
The production of consonants involves 4 major
parameters which can be varied independently of
each other to create different kinds of consonants.
The 4 parameters are:
A. Air stream mechanism
B. The state of glottis/production of voicing
C. Place of Articulation
D. Manner of Articulation
Place of Articulation
Vocal tract is used to refer to the air passages which
the air enters= vocal tract or nasal tract.
Places of Articulation
EXAMPLES
PLACE
VOICELESS VOICED

Bilabials (using both lips) p b, m

Labiodentals (upper teeth & lower lips) f v
Dentals/Interdentals (the tongue tip is θ ð
behind the upper teeth)

Alveolars (the front part of the tongue is on t,s,l d,z,r,n

the alveolar ridge)

Palatals (tongue touches the hard palate) ∫, t∫ ʒ , dʒ

Velars (back of the tongue & the velum) k g ŋ

Glottals (space between the vocal chords in h
the larynx)
Manner of Articulation
Stops
The articulators come together and completely cut
off the flow of air momentarily, then they separate
abruptly
For example: pin, bin, tin, din,
Fricative
The articulators are brought very closely together
leaving only a very narrow channel through which
the air squeezes on its way out, producing
turbulence in the process
For example: /f/, /v/, /ð/, /s/, /z/, /ʒ/
Affricate
In the production of an affricate, first the articulators
come together and completely cut off the flow of air,
just as they do in stop; then they separate gradually
Eg: /t∫/-chain
/dʒ/-Jane
Nasals
Nasal sounds are produced with air escaping
through the nose, the velum is lowered to allow
access to the nasal tract.
Eg: /m/-sum
/n/-sun
/ŋ/-sing
Liquids
Eg: led, red-voiced
/l/=Lateral liquid is formed by letting the airstream
flow around the sides of the tongue makes contact
with the middle of the alveolar ridge.
/r/=with the tongue tip raised and curled back near
the alveolar ridge.
Glides
The sounds /w/ and /j/ are described as glides
Eg: we, wet, you, and yes
The sounds typically produced with the tongue in
motion (gliding)
International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA)
the reason for the International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA) invention:
to solve discrepancy between spelling and
sounds.