Phonetics III: Dimensions of Articulation

October 15, 2012

A Quick and Dirty Review

Lets run through that last set of practice exercises Last time we learned about. phonemes, phones, and allophones phonetic transcription the primary phonemes of the English language the principle of contrast This time well learn: how we actually produce the sounds of English

vocal tract

Tools of the Trade

diaphragm

A Basic Distinction

Vowels and Consonants Vowels: unconstricted flow of air through vocal tract (above the larynx) Consonants: completely or severely constricted flow of air through vocal tract Also: sound is often created at the consonant constriction Lets look at the production of consonants first (its easier to sense what were doing with our articulators)

Consonants

Consonants are produced with more obstruction of the airflow through the vocal tract than vowels They are characterized by the following set of attributes: vocal fold position and movement location of constriction in the vocal tract

1. Voicing 2. Place of Articulation 3. Manner of Articulation type of constriction made in the vocal tract

Voicing

On the way out of the lungs Air passes through the trachea Reaches the larynx

The larynx consists of two vocal folds which may be opened and closed. If the vocal folds are: = voiceless sound

1. open: air passes cleanly through 2. lightly brought together: vocal folds vibrate in passing air = voiced sound

Vocal Fold Schematics

Voiceless (folds open)

Voiced (folds together)

Some Voicing Distinctions

Among English consonants: Voiceless [f] [s] Voiced [v] [z] Voiceless [p] [t] [k] Voiced [b] [d] [g]

Laryngoscopy

Source: http://homepage.mac.com/changcy/endo.htm

Stefans Bogus video

Place of Articulation

bilabial = constriction made by both lips bilabial consonants in English include: [p] [m]
[b]

Place of Articulation

labio-dental = constriction made by lower lip and upper teeth labio-dental consonants in English include: [f] [v]

Place of Articulation

interdental = constriction made by pushing tip of tongue between the teeth interdental consonants in English include:

Place of Articulation

alveolar = constriction made by tip of tongue against alveolar ridge alveolar consonants in English include: [t] [s] [n] [d] [z] [l]

Place of Articulation

post-alveolar = constriction made by blade of tongue behind alveolar ridge post-alveolar consonants in English include:

[r]

Place of Articulation

palatal = constriction made by body of tongue near top of the palate the only palatal consonant in English is: [j]

Place of Articulation

velar = constriction made by back of tongue against soft palate velar consonants in English include: [k] [g]

Place of Articulation

glottal = constriction made at the glottis glottal consonants in English include: [h]

Stefans Bogus Video, again

Manner of Articulation

1. Stop = complete closure in vocal tract English stops: [p] [t] [k] [b] [d] [g] 2. Fricative - narrow constriction that causes disruption of airflow think friction English fricatives: [f] [v] [s] [z]
[h]

Manner of Articulation

3. Affricate = brief closure with a fricated release English affricates:

4. Nasal = velum is lowered and allows air to flow through the nose English nasals:
[m] [n]