Unit 3 Consonants

Contents

I. Lead-inII. What Are ConsonantsIII. Classification of ConsonantsIV. Pronunciation of Consonants

I. Lead-in

44 phonemes :

20 vowels, 24 consonants II. What Are Consonants

Consonants are sounds produced with a complete or partial obstruction which prevents the air from going freely through the mouth. They are either voiced or voiceless.

III. Classification of Consonants three principles of classification:1. Vibration of the Vocal Folds ( 声带的振动） ① voiceless consonants — aspirated, strong and long ② voiced consonants — unaspirated, weak and short

voiceless: /p/ /t/ /k/ /f/ /θ/ ︱ ︱ ︱ ︱ ︱ voiced: /b/ /d/ /g/ /v/ /ð/ voiceless: /s/ /ʃ/ /ʧ/ ︱ ︱ ︱ voiced: /z/ /Ʒ/ /ʤ/ voiceless: /h/ voiced: /r, m, n, ŋ, l, j, w/

2. Place of Articulation （发音部位） ① bilabials 双唇音 /p, b, m, w/ ② labio-dentals 唇齿音 /f, v/ ③ dentals 齿音 /θ, ð/

④ alveolars 齿龈音 /t, d, s, z, n, l/ ⑤ post-alveolar 后齿龈音 /r/ ⑥ palato-alveolars 硬腭龈音 /ʃ, Ʒ, ʧ, ʤ/

⑦ palatal 硬腭音 /j/ ⑧ velars 软腭音 /k, g, ŋ/ ⑨ glottal 声门音 / 喉音 /h/

3. Manner of Articulation （发音方式）

① Plosives/Stops 爆破音 / 塞音 /p, b, t, d, k, g/② Fricatives 摩擦音 /f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, Ʒ, h/ ③ Affricates 破 / 塞擦音 /ʧ, ʤ/

④ Nasals 鼻音 /m, n, ŋ/ ⑤ Lateral 舌边音 /l/⑥ Glides/Semi-vowels 滑音 / 半元音 /j, w/ ⑦ frictionless continuant 无摩擦延续音 /r/

IV. Pronunciation of Consonants

(continued)