Distinctive Features in Phonetics

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the articulator (place) features?

To specify the tone of the sound

To specify the manner of articulation

To specify the place of articulation (correct)

To specify the voice quality

Which of the following sounds is NOT a dorsal sound?

Velar consonants

Uvular consonants

Palatal consonants

Bilabial consonants (correct)

What is the function of the [±round] feature in labial sounds?

To specify the position of the lips

To distinguish between rounded and unrounded labial sounds (correct)

To specify the height of the tongue body

To distinguish between bilabial and labiodental consonants

What is the difference between [±anterior] coronal sounds?

The position of the tongue tip Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the [±strident] feature in coronal sounds?

To distinguish between noisy and non-noisy coronal sounds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a [+anterior] coronal sound?

/tʃ/ Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the [±high] feature in dorsal sounds?

To specify the height of the tongue body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a sub-feature of the [CORONAL] feature?

[±round] Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of laryngeal features?

To define the glottal state of sounds Signup and view all the answers

What does the [+ voice] feature indicate?

The sound is voiced Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the vocal cords being closely together during articulation?

The sound is voiced Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the [± spread glottis] feature?

To indicate the aspiration of a segment Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the vocal folds being spread apart during articulation?

The sound is aspirated Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the [± constricted glottis] feature?

To denote the degree of closure of the glottis Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the vocal folds being held closely together during articulation?

The sound is a specific glottal stop Signup and view all the answers

How many laryngeal features are there in total?

3 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Distinctive Features

There are four main types of distinctive features: major class features, manner features, laryngeal features, and articulator (place) features.

Laryngeal Features

Laryngeal features represent the activity of the larynx and define the glottal state of sounds.
There are three laryngeal features:
- [± voice]
- [± spread glottis]
- [± constricted glottis]

Voicing

[± voice] indicates whether vibration of the vocal folds occurs with the articulation of the segment.
[+ voice] = voiced sounds
[− voice] = voiceless sounds

Spread Glottis

[± spread glottis] indicates the aspiration of a segment.
[+ spread glottis] = aspirated sounds (e.g., [ph, th, kh])
[− spread glottis] = all other sounds

Constricted Glottis

[± constricted glottis] denotes the degree of closure of the glottis.
[+ constricted glottis] = only [ʔ] in English
[− constricted glottis] = all other sounds

Articulator (Place) Features

Articulator (place) features are non-binary and related to the position of the tongue.
There are three articulator (place) features:
- [LABIAL]
- [CORONAL]
- [DORSAL]

Labial Features

[LABIAL] features are articulated with the lips.
[LABIAL] features have sub-features:
- [±round]
- [+ round] = labial sounds produced with protruding lips (e.g., rounded vowels and [w])
- [− round] = labial sounds with no protruding lips (e.g., [p, b, f, v, m])

Coronal Features

[CORONAL] features are articulated with the tip and/or blade of the tongue.
[CORONAL] features have sub-features:
- [±anterior]
- [+ anterior] = coronal sounds produced in front of the alveopalatal region (e.g., interdental and alveolars)
- [− anterior] = coronal sounds produced at the alveopalatal region (e.g., alveopalatal)
- [±strident]
- [+ strident] = all ‘noisy’ coronal fricative and affricates (e.g., [s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ])
- [− strident] = all other coronal fricative and affricates (e.g., [θ, ð])

Dorsal Features

[DORSAL] features are articulated by raising the dorsum of the tongue.
[DORSAL] features have sub-features:
- [±high]
- [+ high] = dorsal sounds produced with the tongue body in a high position in the mouth

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the different types of distinctive features in phonetics, including laryngeal features and their role in determining the characteristics of sounds. Learn about voicing, spread glottis, and constricted glottis and how they impact phonetics.