Articulation Points in Arabic Phonetics

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Questions and Answers

Where is the lam (ل) pronounced from?

The tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth

The gums of the teeth from one canine to another (correct)

The nasal cavity

The back of the throat

What is the correct region of pronunciation for nun (ن)?

The tip of the tongue touching the dental ridge

The back of the throat

The middle of the tongue

The gums of the teeth from one canine to another (correct)

What does 'ghuna' refer to in pronunciation?

A form of vocalization from the throat

A sound articulated with the lips

A sound made with the tongue tip against the roof of the mouth

A nasal sound produced from the nasal cavity (correct)

How should the tongue be positioned when pronouncing lam (ل)?

Touching the gums of the upper teeth Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'back part of the tongue' refer to?

The section furthest from the mouth Signup and view all the answers

In which area of the mouth is the nun (ن) primarily articulated?

The teeth and gums Signup and view all the answers

How is the center part of the tongue involved in pronunciation?

It touches the palate above it Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is correct about the differences in tongue positioning?

The back part is specifically for the kaf (ك) sound Signup and view all the answers

What is important to note about the back part of the tongue?

It refers to the section furthest from the mouth Signup and view all the answers

Where does the tongue typically touch when pronouncing the letter nun (ن)?

The gums of the upper central incisors Signup and view all the answers

In the makhraj of which letter does the tongue also touch the gums of the upper central incisors?

Ra' (ر) Signup and view all the answers

What position does the tip of the tongue assume during the makhraj of the letter nun (ن)?

It touches the gums at the gum line Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to position the tongue correctly when articulating the letters nun (ن) and ra' (ر)?

To ensure clarity and accuracy in pronunciation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary scholarly opinion regarding the tongue’s placement for the letters nun (ن) and ra' (ر)?

It should touch the gums of the upper central incisors Signup and view all the answers

Which letters are pronounced from the tip of the tongue touching the edge of the upper central incisors?

ta (ط), dal (د), ta (ت) Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct pronunciation location for the letters thā (ظ), dhal (ذ), and tha (ث)?

From the tip of the tongue at the edge of the upper central incisors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following letters is NOT pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the edge of the upper central incisors?

ra (ر) Signup and view all the answers

Which group of letters includes the 'dal' (د)?

dal (د), ta (ط), tha (ث) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following letters shares a pronunciation location with dal (د)?

ta (ط) Signup and view all the answers

How many makhārij (articulation points) are identified by Khalil Ibn Ahmad al-Farāhīdī?

17 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the three lengthened letters (madd letters)?

They are pronounced from an empty space in the mouth and throat. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following areas is NOT considered a makhārij according to Khalil Ibn Ahmad al-Farāhīdī?

The nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

What significance do the makhārij have in Arabic phonetics?

They define how letters are articulated. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Khalil Ibn Ahmad al-Farāhīdī play in the study of Arabic?

He was the first to classify makhārij in Arabic sound. Signup and view all the answers

What position is the tongue in when pronouncing the letters sad (ص), sin (س), and zay (ز)?

Just below the central incisors with a slight gap Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following letters is NOT pronounced from the area between the tip of the tongue and the central incisors?

ت (Ta) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of the tongue's position is important for articulating sad (ص), sin (س), and zay (ز)?

It must maintain a slight gap from the teeth Signup and view all the answers

Which of these letters are articulated correctly from the described position?

ص (Sad), س (Sin), ز (Zay) Signup and view all the answers

Why is there a gap between the tongue and the teeth when pronouncing sad (ص), sin (س), and zay (ز)?

To allow air to flow freely Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Articulation Points (Makhaarij)

There are 17 articulation points (Makhaarij) according to Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi.
The empty space in the mouth and throat; long vowels (madd letters) are pronounced here (waw sakinah preceded by dammah, ya sakinah preceded by kasrah, and alif). Note: alif never takes a harakah (vowel sign) and is always preceded by a fathah.
The lower throat; the hamzah (ء) and ha (ھ) are pronounced from here. This part is closest to the chest.
The middle throat; the ayn (ع) and ha (ح) are pronounced from here.
The upper throat; the ghayn (غ) and kha (خ) are pronounced from here. This part is closest to the mouth.

Tongue Articulation Areas

Extreme back of tongue: touching the soft palate (qaf ق is pronounced here)
Back of tongue: (not as far back as above) touching the hard palate (kaf ك is pronounced here). Note: back part of tongue is furthest from the mouth.
Centre of tongue: touching the palate above it (jim ج, shin ش and unlengthened ya are pronounced here).
Side of tongue: touching upper molars (right or left). Dad (ض) is pronounced from here. The left side is the easiest, followed by the right side.
Anterior sides/tip of tongue: touching gums from one pre-molar to another (lam ل is pronounced here).

Teeth and Articulation

Sides/edges of tongue: touching upper molars (dad ض is pronounced).
Anterior tongue sides/tip: touching gums extending from a pre-molar to another (lam ل is pronounced).
Tip of tongue: touching gums extending from one canine to another (nun ن is pronounced here; Ghuna from nasal cavity).
Tip of tongue: touching upper central and lateral incisors (ra ر is pronounced) Note: Most scholars believe the upper central incisors are where the articulation for nun and ra is made.
Tip of tongue: touching upper central incisors at gum line (ta ط, dal د and ta ط are pronounced here).
Tip of tongue: touching edge of upper central incisors (tha ث, dhal ذ, and thorn ط are pronounced here).
Between tongue tip and central incisors: (sad ص, sin س, and zay ز are pronounced here). Note: a slight gap between tongue and teeth when articulating these sounds.
Inside of bottom lip: touching upper central incisors (fa ف is pronounced from here).

Lips and Nasal Cavity

Meeting of the lips: (waw غیر مدیة, ba ب, and mim م are pronounced here.) Note: The waw غیر مدیة can be either mutaharikah or lin.
Nasal cavity: (khayşūm خیشوم or nasal cavity). Ghunnah (nasal sound) comes from here. Note: Ghunna is a permanent quality of the sound.)

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Description

This quiz explores the 17 articulation points (Makhaarij) identified by Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi in Arabic phonetics. It covers various areas in the mouth and throat where different Arabic letters are pronounced, including details on long vowels and consonants. Test your knowledge of these essential phonetic concepts.