Phonetics: The Sounds of Language

CONSONANT SOUNDS

Places of Articulation

Voicing

Voiced: The glottal state in which the vocal folds are brought close together but not tightly closed, causing air passing through them to vibrate. [b], [d], [g], [v], [ð], [z], [ʒ], [dʒ], [m], [n], [ŋ], [l], [r],

[w], [y]

Voicing

Voiceless: The glottal state in which the vocal folds are pulled apart, allowing air to pass directly through the glottis. [p], [t], [k], [f], [θ], [s], [ʃ], [tʃ]

Places of ArticulationPlaces of Articulation

Bilabial [p], [b], [m], [w]

Labiodental

Interdental

Alveolar [t], [d], [s], [z], [l], [n]

[θ], [ð]

[f], [v]

Places of ArticulationPlaces of Articulation

Palatal [ʃ], [ʒ], [tʃ ], [dʒ], [r], [y]

Velar

Glottal [h]

[k], [g], [ŋ ],

So, how many consonant sounds are there in English Language?24

For each of the following pairs of sounds, state whether the place of articulation is the same or

different. Then identify the place of articulation. a. Alveolar : Alveolar

b. Velar : Velar

c. Bilabial : Velar

d. Alveolar : Alveolar

e. Bilabial : Alveolar

f. Palatal : Palatal

g. Labiodental : Glottal

a. [s] : [l]

b. [k] : [ŋ]

c. [p] : [g]

d. [t] : [z]

e. [m] : [n]

f. [dʒ ] : [ʃ]

g. [ f ] : [h]

Manner of ArticulationManner of Articulation

Plosive (Stop): Complete and momentary closure of airflow through the vocal tract. [p], [t], [k], [b], [d], [g]

Nasal: The airflow passes through the nasal passages. [n], [m], [ŋ]

Fricative: Continuous airflow through the mouth. [f], [v], [s], [z], [θ], [ð], [ʃ], [ʒ ], [h]

Manner of ArticulationManner of Articulation Affricate: The stop articulation is released and

the tongue moves rapidly away. [tʃ], [dʒ]

Liquid: Air escapes through the mouth along the lowered sides of the tongue. [l], [r]

Glide: semi-consonants. [ y ], [w]

For each of the following pairs of sounds, For each of the following pairs of sounds, state whether the manner of articulation is state whether the manner of articulation is the same or different. Then identify the the same or different. Then identify the manner of articulation for each sound.manner of articulation for each sound.

a. Fricative : Fricative

b. Stop : Stop

c. Glide : Glide

d. Fricative : Fricative

e. Liquid : Stop

f. Fricative : Fricative

g. Affricate : Fricative

a. [s] : [θ ]

b. [k] : [g]

c. [w] : [ y ]

d. [ f ] : [ʃ]

e. [l] : [t]

f. [ð] : [v]

g. [tʃ] : [s]

Phonetic Description

When describing phonemes: voicing is first place of articulation is second manner of articulation is third

[p] voiceless bilabial stop

[v] voiced labiodental fricative

After each of the following articulatory descriptions, write the sound described in phonetic brackets.

a. Voiceless velar stop

b. Voiced labiodental fricative

c. Voiced alveolar affricate

d. Voiced palatal glide

a. [k]

b. [v]

c. [dʒ]

d. [y]

After each of the following sounds, write the articulatory description.

a. [ŋ]

b. [θ]

c. [r]

d. [tʃ]

a. Voiced velar nasal

b. Voiceless interdental fricative

c. Voiced palatal liquid

d. Voiceless palatal affricate