Phonetics: Articulation of Fricatives and Vowels

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the horizontal relationship between the articulators?

Place of articulation

What is the role of the passive articulator in determining the place of articulation?

The passive articulator involved typically gives its name to the place of articulation.

What is unique about retroflex sounds in terms of articulation?

Retroflex sounds involve a particular shape of the tongue as well as a horizontal relationship between the articulators.

What is an example of a language that has influenced the pronunciation of English in terms of retroflex consonants?

Indian languages, such as those spoken in the Indian subcontinent Signup and view all the answers

What determines the specific place of articulation for a sound?

The position of the highest point of the active articulator in relation to the passive articulator. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the passive articulator that gives its name to the place of articulation for the 'l' sound?

Alveolar ridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the active articulator in a retroflex sound?

The tongue tip is curled towards the back of the mouth Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the combination of contact and free air passage in liquids?

Both contact and free air passage occur simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What are the two parts that make up the body of an articulator?

front and back Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the passive articulators in speech production?

They provide a surface for the active articulators to interact with Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of considering the relative position of active and passive articulators?

To specify the manner and place of articulation of a speech sound Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the vertical relationship between the active and passive articulators?

Manner of articulation Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the articulators are pressed together in complete closure?

A blockage to airflow is created, causing air pressure to build up Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the first and last sounds in 'bad' and 'man'?

The position of the velum Signup and view all the answers

What type of sounds are produced when the active articulator is lowered completely?

Oral stops Signup and view all the answers

What type of sounds are produced when the active articulator is lowered slightly, giving a slower release of air?

Affricates Signup and view all the answers

What is the place of articulation in the vocal tract?

The point of contact where an obstruction occurs between an active, moving articulator and a passive articulator. Signup and view all the answers

What type of articulation involves the closure or near closure of the lips?

Bilabials. Signup and view all the answers

How are labiodentals articulated?

With the lower lip touching the upper front teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between interdental and dental consonants?

Interdental consonants are produced by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teeth, whereas dental consonants are articulated with the tongue against the back of the upper incisors. Signup and view all the answers

How are alveolars [t, d, n] produced?

By the tip of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge or just in front of it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the lateral sound [l]?

The tongue tip is raised while the rest of the tongue remains down, allowing air to escape over the sides of the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

How are palatals produced?

By raising the blade, or front of the tongue, toward or against the hard palate just behind the alveolar ridge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbol for the voiced palatal fricative?

The symbol that looks like a crossed tail J (ʝ). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sound Production

Air flow is influenced by the distance between articulators, classified into three types: complete closure, close approximation, and open approximation
Complete closure blocks airflow, while close approximation forces air through a narrow gap, causing turbulence and producing fricatives
Open approximation allows free passage of air, characterizing vowels and glides

Types of Sounds

Fricatives: produced by close approximation, e.g. first and last sounds in 'fez'
Liquids: combine contact and free air passage, e.g. first and last sounds in 'rail'
Vowels: open approximation, e.g. middle sounds in 'cat', 'dog', 'meat'
Glides: open approximation, e.g. initial sounds in 'yak' and 'warthog'

Place of Articulation

Refers to the horizontal relationship between active and passive articulators
Specifies the position of the highest point of the active articulator in relation to the passive articulator
Places of articulation include bilabial, labiodental, interdental, alveolar, palatal, and others

Places of Articulation in Detail

Bilabials: formed by closure or near closure of the lips, e.g. [p], [b], [m]
Labiodentals: articulated with the lower lip touching the upper front teeth, e.g. [f], [v]
Interdentals: produced by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teeth, e.g. [θ], [ð]
Alveolars: articulated with the tongue against or close to the alveolar ridge, e.g. [t], [d], [n], [s], [z], [l], [r]

Manner of Articulation

Refers to the vertical relationship between active and passive articulators, specifying the distance between them
Manner of articulation can be complete closure, close approximation, or open approximation, affecting airflow and sound production

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Description

Learn about the articulation of fricatives, vowels, and other sound types in phonetics, including the role of articulators and air passage.