Linguistics Chapter 10: Classification of Sounds

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of valving the airstream?

A method of generating complex periodic sounds

A technique used exclusively in singing

The process of creating simple sounds

The sounds of any language formed in specific ways to generate complex periodic and aperiodic sounds (correct)

What are the three major dimensions that classify consonants?

Place of articulation, manner of articulation, voicing.

What does 'place of articulation' refer to?

An obstruction formed when two articulators come close together.

What does 'manner of articulation' refer to?

Characteristics of the speech organs other than the location of obstructions. Signup and view all the answers

What is voicing?

How closely the vocal cords are placed together. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 8 primary places of articulation in English?

Bilabial, labiodental, interdental, alveolar, postalveolar, palatal, velar, glottal. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of bilabial sounds?

p, b, m, w. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of labiodental sounds?

f, v. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of interdental sounds?

th. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of alveolar sounds?

t, d, s, z, n, l. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of postalveolar sounds?

sh, ch, zh, j or r. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a palatal sound?

y. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of velar sounds?

k, g, ng. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of glottal sounds?

h. Signup and view all the answers

What is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)?

A standardized set of symbols for transcribing all possible human speech sounds. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we use IPA instead of just spelling?

Because spelling can represent different sounds and there is no consistency between letters and sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What are consonantal sounds?

Obstruction of airflow in the vocal tract. Signup and view all the answers

What are vowel sounds?

Little to no obstruction of airflow. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of a phonetic alphabet?

One symbol represents one sound. Signup and view all the answers

What features classify consonants?

Voicing, place of articulation, manner of articulation. Signup and view all the answers

What causes voicing in consonants?

The vocal cords held close together so that air passing through them makes them vibrate. Signup and view all the answers

All normally spoken ______ are voiced.

vowels Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of voiced vowels?

Sonorants such as /l/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /w/, /j/. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two possibilities for voicing in English?

Voiced and unvoiced. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of voiceless consonants?

f, th, s, sh, p, t, ch, k, h. Signup and view all the answers

What is an articulator?

An organ a speaker employs to produce and distinguish certain speech sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'place of articulation' identify?

The location of articulators. Signup and view all the answers

What do manners of articulation include?

Degree of stricture, alternative airflow, dynamic movement of the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'degree of stricture'?

How much blockage occurs at the place of greatest obstruction. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'alternative airflow' refer to?

The air travels a path other than down the center of the mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What is dynamic movement of the tongue?

Movements like flap and trill. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 manners of articulation in English?

Stops, fricatives, affricates, liquids, glides, nasals. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of stops?

p, b, t, d, k, g. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of fricatives?

f, v, th, d, s, z, sh, zh. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of affricates?

ch, j. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of liquids?

l, r. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of glides?

w, y. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of nasals?

m, n, ng. Signup and view all the answers

What do sonorants have in common?

Smooth airflow throughout the consonant, and they are nearly always voiced. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 manners considered sonorant sounds?

Nasals, glides, liquids. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sound Classification Overview

Sounds in languages are shaped by valving the airstream to produce periodic and aperiodic sounds.

Consonant Classification

Consonants are categorized based on:
- Place of articulation
- Manner of articulation
- Voicing

Articulation Concepts

Place of articulation: Formed by obstructions between two articulators (one moving, one stationary).
Manner of articulation: Involves characteristics of speech organs beyond just obstruction location.
Voicing: Refers to the closeness of the vocal cords during sound production.

Primary Places of Articulation in English

Eight places include:
- Bilabial
- Labiodental
- Interdental
- Alveolar
- Postalveolar
- Palatal
- Velar
- Glottal

Examples of Consonant Types

Bilabial: p, b, m, w
Labiodental: f, v
Interdental: th
Alveolar: t, d, s, z, n, l
Postalveolar: sh, ch, zh, j, r
Palatal: y
Velar: k, g, ng
Glottal: h

Role of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

IPA provides standardized symbols that correspond one-to-one with human speech sounds.
Helps navigate inconsistencies in spelling, silent letters, and varying writing systems across languages.

Types of Sounds

Consonantal sounds: Result from airflow obstruction in the vocal tract.
Vowel sounds: Allow for minimal to no obstruction of airflow.
Voiced sounds: Produced with vibrating vocal cords; includes vowels and sonorants such as /l/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /w/, /j/.

Voicing in English

Two categories: voiced and voiceless.
Voiceless consonants examples: f, th-, s, sh, p, t, ch, k, h.

Articulatory Mechanisms

Articulator: Organ that produces and distinguishes speech sounds (active: lips; passive: hard palate).
Degree of stricture: Level of blockage in the speech sound (stops, fricatives, affricates).
Alternative airflow: Air travels differently (e.g., nasals, laterals).
Dynamic tongue movement: Involves actions such as flaps and trills.

Manner of Articulation in English

Six manners include:
- Stops: [p] [b] [t] [d] [k] [g]
- Fricatives: [f] [v] [θ] [ð] [s] [z] [ʃ] [ʒ]
- Affricates: [ʧ] [ʤ]
- Liquids: [l] [ɹ]
- Glides: [w] [j]
- Nasals: [m] [n] [ŋ]

Sonorants

Characterized by smooth airflow and typically voiced.
Include nasals, glides, and liquids, viewed as sonorant sounds due to their airflow properties.

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Description

Explore the classification of sounds in linguistics with this quiz based on Chapter 10. Learn about the critical dimensions of consonants, including place and manner of articulation, as well as voicing. Enhance your understanding of how sounds are generated in languages.