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Questions and Answers
Which of the following are considered plosive consonants in English?
Which of the following are considered plosive consonants in English?
What are the phases of articulation for plosive consonants?
What are the phases of articulation for plosive consonants?
Plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ are always aspirated in initial position.
Plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ are always aspirated in initial position.
False
Vowels preceding plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ are longer than those preceding /b/, /d/, /g/.
Vowels preceding plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ are longer than those preceding /b/, /d/, /g/.
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What is the term for the sudden release of air that occurs during the articulation of a plosive consonant?
What is the term for the sudden release of air that occurs during the articulation of a plosive consonant?
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The plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/, /ʔ/ are classified as ___ consonants.
The plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/, /ʔ/ are classified as ___ consonants.
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What is the effect of the preceding letter "s" on the aspiration of plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ in initial position?
What is the effect of the preceding letter "s" on the aspiration of plosive consonants like /p/, /t/, /k/ in initial position?
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What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where vowels preceding plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/ are shorter than those preceding /b/, /d/, /g/?
What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where vowels preceding plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/ are shorter than those preceding /b/, /d/, /g/?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of plosive consonants?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of plosive consonants?
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What is the primary distinction between the plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/ and /b/, /d/, /g/ in terms of voice?
What is the primary distinction between the plosive consonants /p/, /t/, /k/ and /b/, /d/, /g/ in terms of voice?
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Study Notes
Consonant Classification
- Consonants have acoustic and articulatory characteristics.
- Twenty-four English consonants are categorized based on several criteria.
Place of Articulation
- Bilabial: /p, b, m/
- Labiodental: /f, v/
- Dental: /θ, ð/
- Alveolar: /t, d, s, z, l, n, r/
- Palato-alveolar: /ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/
- Palatal: /j/
- Velar: /k, g, ŋ/
- Glottal: /h/
- Labio-velar: /w/
Manner of Articulation
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Occlusives (stops): Complete closure, then release of air; /p, t, k, b, d, g, m, n, ŋ, l, r, w, j/.
- Nasals: /m, n, ŋ/ – air escapes through the nose.
- Laterals: /l/ – air escapes along the sides of the tongue.
- Approximants: /r/ – close approximation of articulators.
- Semi-vowels: /w, j/ – consonant-like sounds also used in vowels.
- Constrictives (fricatives): Narrowing of the vocal tract; /f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, h/.
- Semi-occlusives (affricates): Closure, then narrowing, then release; /tʃ, dʒ/.
Acoustic Impression
- Plosives: /p, t, k, b, d, g, m, n, ŋ, l, r, w, j/
- Fricatives: /f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, h/
- Affricates: /tʃ, dʒ/
Position of the Velum
- Oral: /p, t, k, b, d, g, l, r, w, j, f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, h, tʃ, dʒ/ - Air escapes through the mouth.
- Nasal: /m, n, ŋ/ - Air escapes through the nose.
Voicing (Tenseness)
- Voiceless (fortis): /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /θ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /h/. Vocal cords do not vibrate.
- Voiced (lenis): /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /ð/, /z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/, /w/, /j/. Vocal cords vibrate.
Plosives (Stops)
- Plosive consonants: /p, t, k, b, d, g/;
- Have six phases:
- Closing phase – articulators move for closure
- Compression phase-air compressed behind the closure
- Release phase-closure opens; air escapes; plosion
- Pos-release phase – after the release
Plosives in Initial and Final Positions
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Initial position:
- /p, t, k/ are aspirated in initial position (pen, cat, ten).
- /p, t, k/ not aspirated when preceded by “s” (scat, spin).
- /b, d, g/ have little voicing in initial position.
- /p, t, k/ followed by /l, r, w, j/ cause devoicing (play, tray, quick).
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Final position:
- Vowels preceding plosives are shorter (pre-fortis clipping): (beat – bead).
- /b, d, g/ have very little voicing.
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Description
Explore the classification of English consonants based on their acoustic and articulatory characteristics. This quiz examines consonants categorized by their place and manner of articulation, helping to enhance your understanding of phonetics in the English language.
