Consonants

1
Consonants
Readings Roach, P (2002) Chpt 2 (pp8,9,10),4, 5
ReferenceBall ,MJ Rahilly,J (1999)
PhoneticsThe Science of Speech
2
Vocal Tract - Anatomy Physiology

• Setting a column of air in motion
• Larynx, Lungs
• Pharynx
• Oral cavity, nasal cavity (resonating
• chambersloudness sd. quality)
• Trachea
• (Transparency Vocal Tract)

3
Inside the larynx some key playersarytenoid
cartilages , vocal folds / vocal cordsGlottis
opening between the vocal folds
(Transparency states of the glottis)
4
Describing consonants I

• Range of parameters
• Airstream mechanism
• Direction of airflow
• Phonation type and location
• State of the velum
• Centrality vs laterality

5
Describing consonants II
f. Force of articulation g. Prolongability h.
Place of articulation i. Manner of articulation
z-a pulmonic egressive full glottal voiced oral
central lenis prolongable alveolar fricative.
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Describing consonants III

• Three-term labels
• Phonation
• Place of articulation
• Manner of articulation
• Eg. ? can be described as a voiced alveolar
  fricative (three-term labels)

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Phonation
Voiceless vs voiced Voiceless- no vibration,
glottis open(60-90) Voiced vibration of the
vocal folds/cords Fortis vs Lenis Fortis-
stronger force of articulation, longer
duration Lenis- weaker force of articulation
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Place of articulation

• Active or passive articulator

• Roof of the mouth
• Labial, Dental, Alveolar, Palatal,Velar(Soft
  palate), Uvular, Pharyngeal, Glottal

• Tongue surface
• Tip, blade, front back dorsum, root, epiglottis

Transparency (Places of articulation)
9
Manner of articulation
How individual sounds are made. Based on the size
of the air passage (stricture) during the
production of sound (Transparency IPA chart)
10
English Plosives I

• Plosive Consonants
• 4 phases of production
• closing phase- articulators move to form
  stricture
• compression phase- compressed air stopped from
  escaping
• release phase- articulators move to allow air to
  escape
• post-release phase after release phase (eg.
  aspiration p,t,k)

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English Plosives II
English plosives - p, t, k, b, d, g
p, b bilabial t,d alveolar, tongue blade
against alveolar ridge k,g velar, back of tongue
against this area
3 term labels??(phonation,place,manner)
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The End
Tutorial (Roach) Pg. 37, No. 2 Recorded
exercises Pg.218, Audio Unit 4, Ex 1, 2,3,4,5
Next week, read Chapters 6,7 of Roach