II.

THE SPEECH ORGANS

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The totality of speech organs= the vocal tract/the
speech mechanism. The speech mechanism may be
divided into three main parts according to the role they
have in the production of speech sounds:

2.1. The lungs= the sound source

2.2. The larynx= sound generator
2.3. The cavities= resonators

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2.1. The lungs

-primary function: breathing

-secondary function: to produce the air necessary for the
production of speech sounds

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2.2. The larynx

- ‘Adam’s apple’, thyroid cartilage – the

outer wall of the larynx (voice box) – vocal
cords/folds= elastic bands

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The ‘Sammy’ Diagram (Kevin Russell, University of Manitoba)

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The articulators above the larynx

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2.3. The cavities

- The pharynx: 7 cm women, 8 cm men; 3

positions: raised, lowered, mid;
- The mouth: mobile parts (tongue, lips,
jaws) + fixed parts (teeth, hard palate,
alveolar ridge);
- The nose;

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The cavities

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Divisions of the tongue

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Shape assumed by the lips

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