Phonetics: Manner and Place of Articulation

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Questions and Answers

What phase occurs when the articulators move to form the stricture for a plosive sound?

Release phase

Compression phase

Closing phase (correct)

Post-release phase

Which of the following plosive sounds is voiceless?

/b/

/g/

/d/

/k/ (correct)

In which position can the plosive /t/ be found?

Only in initial position

In initial, medial, and final positions (correct)

Only in medial position

Only in final position

What happens to the release of voiceless stops like /p/, /t/, and /k/ in initial position?

They are followed by audible plosion Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of aspiration on voiceless stops at the beginning of a word?

Results in a burst of noise Signup and view all the answers

How do the voiced stops /b/, /d/, and /g/ behave when released in initial position?

They produce weak plosion Signup and view all the answers

What influences the pronunciation of plosives in medial position?

The stress of syllables surrounding the plosive Signup and view all the answers

How do final voiceless stops, such as /b/, /d/, and /g/, typically behave?

They have little voicing Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic differentiates the voiceless plosives /p/, /t/, and /k/ from the voiced plosives /b/, /d/, and /g/?

Vowels preceding them are shorter Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the plosion after the release of /p/, /t/, and /k/ is accurate?

The plosion is weak and often inaudible Signup and view all the answers

In terms of manner of articulation, which group does /p/, /t/, /k/ belong to?

Plosives Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the airflow in nasal stops such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/?

Air escapes through the nose Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of approximants like /l/ and /r/?

Articulators approach but do not create complete closure Signup and view all the answers

How is a clear /l/ produced compared to a dark /l/?

Clear /l/ occurs before vowels, dark /l/ before consonants Signup and view all the answers

Which description accurately applies to voiceless fricatives?

Characterized by a hissing sound Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a characteristic of voiced fricatives?

Vocal cords vibrate during articulation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Manner of Articulation

Manner of articulation describes how the airstream is altered as it passes from the lungs through the mouth or nose.
Stops/Plosives: These sounds involve completely blocking the airflow, followed by a sudden release. This creates an audible plosion
Plosives have four phases during articulation:
- Closing phase: The articulator(s) move to block the airstream.
- Compressing phase: Air is compressed behind the closure point.
- Release phase: The closure is released, allowing the air to escape.
- Post-release phase: What occurs immediately after the release.
Voiceless stops: /p/, /t/, /k/
Voiced stops: /b/, /d/, /g/

Place of Articulation

Bilabial: Both lips
- /p/, /b/
Alveolar: Tongue and alveolar ridge
- /t/, /d/
Velar: Tongue and velum (soft palate)
- /k/, /g/

Plosive Position

Initial position: Plosives can be at the beginning of words. Example: /t/ in "tip"
Medial position: Plosives can be between other sounds. Example: /p/ in "act"
Final position: Plosives can be at the end of words. Example: /p/ in "stop"

Aspiration

Voiceless plosives (/p/, /t/, /k/) are aspirated when appearing at the beginning of words followed by a vowel. This means a puff of air. Example: /pʌt/
This effect isn't usually seen with the voiced plosives (/b/, /d/, /g/).

Fricatives

Air escapes through a narrow passage, creating a hissing sound, partial obstruction.
Voiceless fricatives: /f/, /θ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /h/, /x/
Voiced fricatives: /v/, /ð/, /z/, /ʒ/

Labiodental: Top teeth and lower lip /f/ /v/
Dental: Tongue and teeth /θ/, /ð/
Alveolar: Tongue and alveolar ridge /s/, /z/
Post-alveolar: Tongue behind alveolar ridge /ʃ/, /ʒ/
Glottal: Throat /h/

Affricates

Begin as plosives and end as fricatives; often have rounded lips.
Voiceless: /tʃ/
Voiced /dʒ/

Nasal Stops

The velum is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nasal cavity.
/m/, /n/, /ŋ/

Approximants

These consonants involve the articulators approaching each other, but not creating a complete closure. Also known as semi-vowels
/j/, /w/, /l/, /r/
/j/: a palatal approximant. /yet/
/w/: a bilabial-velar approximant. /wet/
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant. /look/
/r/: a Retroflex approximant. /red/

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of manner and place of articulation in phonetics, focusing on stops and plosives. You will learn about the articulation phases, voiceless and voiced stops, and their positions in words. Test your understanding of these essential phonetic elements.