Articulation Overview in Speech Production

Which of the following are considered active articulators?

Passive articulators are the ones that move during speech production.

Name one example of a passive articulator.

The __________ is an example of an active articulator that moves towards other parts of the vocal tract.

Match the following articulators with their classifications:

Articulation Overview

The vocal tract is composed of different sections necessary for speech production.

Types of Articulators

Articulators are categorized into two primary types: active and passive.

Active Articulators

These are the moving elements of the vocal tract that create speech sounds.
The tongue moves towards different areas of the vocal tract to produce various sounds, such as the /t/ and /d/ sounds.
The lips come together or separate to form sounds like /p/ and /b/.
These articulators are essential for creating constrictions or closures in the vocal tract, which is fundamental for sound formation.

Passive Articulators

These articulators remain stationary while the active articulators move towards them.
The hard palate serves as a point of contact for the tongue during the production of sounds like /k/ and /g/.
The teeth provide a surface for the tongue and lips to form specific sounds, such as /s/ and /f/.
Passive articulators act as the targets for the active articulators, shaping and differentiating speech sounds.

Explore the key components of articulation in speech production. This quiz covers the active and passive articulators, their roles, and how they interact to create various speech sounds. Test your understanding of the vocal tract's anatomy and function in producing language.