1. Definition2. Speech Organs3. Consonants vs. Vowels4. Classification and Description of Consonants

Phonetics provides an inventory and a description of the sounds found in a language

Consonants are produced by interfering with the airstream at some point in the vocal tract.

. Vowels are produced when there is no interference with the airstream. The vocal tract is open.

Consonants can be classified according to:A.Voicing: as voiced or voicelessB.Place of Articulation: where they are

articulatedC.Manner of Articulation: how they are

articulated

Consonants are classified as either voiced or voiceless depending on the position of the vocal cords.

Voiced Sounds Voiceless Sounds

Vocal cords are tense and held tightly together. When air passes through them, they vibrate producing VOICED sounds.

Vocal cords are in a relaxed position. When air passes through them, they do not vibrate producing VOICELESS sounds.

Voicing of a sound is determined by the position of the vocal cords.

Vowels are always voiced.Some consonants are voiced (e.g. b, z, g, v), while some are voiceless (e.g. p, s, k, f)

Consonants are also described and categorized according to where (i.e. at which point) in the vocal tract they are articulated:

1. Bilabial sounds 7. Glottal sounds 2. Labio-dental sounds 3. Inter-dental sounds 4. Alveolar sounds 5. Palatal sounds 6. Velar sounds

Sounds produced by the two lips are called Bilabial sounds.

Examples of bilabial sounds are: p, b , m

. Sounds produced with the lower lip and the upper teeth are called Labio-dental sounds.

Labio-dental sounds are: f, v

Sounds articulated with the tongue coming between the upper and lower teeth are Interdental sounds.

Examples of interdental sounds are the sounds in the beginning of the words ‘thief’ and ‘that’.

Sounds articulated at the alveolar ridge (i.e. the protruded area behind the upper teeth) are Alveolar sounds.

Examples of alveolar sounds are t, d, s , z, n, l

. Sounds articulated at the hard palate, the wide arched area behind the alveolar ridge, are called Palatal sounds: e.g. r , or sounds in the beginning of the words ‘child’, ‘jar’.

Sounds produced at the velum or soft palate are called Velar sounds, e.g. k, g.

. Sounds produced at the glottis, the area between the vocal cords are Glottal sounds, e.g. h.