Introduction to English Linguistics: Phonetics 1

Introduction to English Linguistics

• English linguistics explores the structure and function of the English language.

Phonetics 1: Speech Production and the Vocal Tract

• Speech sound production involves three processes:
  • Initiation: Creating the airstream.
  • Phonation: Modifying the airstream with vocal folds.
  • Articulation: Further modifying the airstream with articulators (e.g., lips, tongue).
• Breathing plays a crucial role in initiating the airstream. Airflow can be egressive (breathing out) or ingressive (breathing in), and it's initiated at three locations: pulmonic (lungs), velaric (velum), and glottalic (glottis/larynx).
• The vocal tract includes the pharynx and oral cavity (and nasal cavity).
• The larynx is a cartilaginous box containing the glottis and vocal folds, which vibrate to produce voiced sounds. Voiceless sounds occur when airflow passes through the larynx freely.

Phonation (Voicing)

• The larynx is a critical part of sound production.
• Inside the larynx is the glottis, containing the vocal folds.
• Vocal folds can open and close like curtains.
• Consonant sounds can be either voiced or voiceless. Voiced sounds occur when the vocal folds vibrate; voiceless sounds occur when the vocal folds are open.

Articulation

• Articulators (e.g., lips, tongue) modify the airstream to produce different sounds.
• The tongue has different sections: tip, blade, front, back, and root.
• Articulation points are crucial in distinguishing sounds.

Summary: The Vocal Tract and Organs of Speech

• Lungs create the pulmonic egressive airstream.
• The head and neck contain three cavities: pharynx, oral cavity, and nasal cavity.
• The larynx, containing the vocal folds, governs voicing.
• Open glottis = voiceless, closed and vibrating glottis = voiced.

Labelling a Consonant

• Each consonant sound has three key aspects:
  • Voicing (glottis open or closed)
  • Place of articulation (location of passive articulator)
  • Manner of articulation (degree of airflow obstruction).

Static Places of Articulation

• These are fixed parts of the vocal tract used for consonant production: lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, velum (soft palate), uvula, epiglottis, and the glottis.

Places of Articulation (Examples)

• Labial (bilabial): lips touching (e.g. /p/, /b/)
• Labio-dental: lower lip and upper teeth (e.g. /f/, /v/)
• Interdental (dental): tongue between teeth (e.g. /θ/, /ð/ ).
• Alveolar: tongue touches alveolar ridge (e.g. /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/).
• Post-alveolar: tongue touches between alveolar ridge and hard palate (e.g. /ʃ/, /ʒ/)
• Palatal: tongue touches hard palate (e.g. /j/)
• Velar: tongue touches velum (e.g. /k/, /g/)
• Glottal: the glottis (e.g. /h/)

Manners of Articulation (Example: Stops/Plosives)

• Stops (plosives): complete obstruction followed by release.
• The sequence is "close and hold" = stop, "release"=plosion (eg. /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/)

Manners of Articulation (Examples: Other manners)

• Fricatives: airflow constricted, producing friction (e.g., /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/).
• Affricates: stop followed by a fricative (e.g., /tʃ/, /dʒ/).
• Approximants: airflow narrowed but not completely obstructed (e.g., /w/, /j/, /l/).
• Trills and Taps: rapid vibrations or taps of the articulators (e.g., /r/).

Nasal vs Oral

• Nasal sounds: velum relaxes, air passes through the nose (e.g., /m/, /n/, /ŋ/).
• Oral sounds: velum raises, air passes through the mouth.

Consonant Sounds of English (Examples)

• Tables with classifications of various consonant sounds (oral stops, nasal stops, fricatives) and examples of English words containing these sounds

This quiz focuses on the principles of phonetics in English linguistics, detailing the processes of speech sound production, including initiation, phonation, and articulation. It also explores the anatomical structures involved, such as the vocal tract and larynx, crucial for understanding voiced and voiceless sounds.