Phonetics: Organs of Speech

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following represents a characteristic of the 5 main vowels?

They are always voiced with high pitch.

They consist of 10 cardinal single vowels.

They can only be pronounced with a tense tongue.

They include uninterrupted sounds. (correct)

What is the primary distinction between front vowels according to their position of the tongue?

They can only be pronounced with a tense articulation.

They vary in length and muscle tension. (correct)

They are all produced with open mouth.

They do not have any variations in pronunciation.

Which of the following words demonstrates the American pronunciation without /j/?

Newspaper

Tuesday

Student

New (correct)

In the classification of single vowels, which word best describes the tongue position for the vowel /e/?

Front - Neutral - Short - Relaxed Signup and view all the answers

What defines a lateral consonant in speech production?

The air escapes only along the sides of the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the speech organs is responsible for producing voiceless sounds?

Vocal cords Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the soft palate in speech production?

Opens or closes the passage to the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

Which organ of speech is located just behind the upper teeth?

Alveolar ridge Signup and view all the answers

Which pair of words represents a homonym in the exercise?

DIE: DYE Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the vocal cords during the production of voiced sounds?

To vibrate and let air pass Signup and view all the answers

Which articulator is responsible for changing the size of the oral cavity?

Lower jaw Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to study phonetics?

To understand how to accurately pronounce unfamiliar sounds Signup and view all the answers

What type of sounds are produced by the nose and nasal cavity?

Nasal sounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of nasal consonants during their production?

Breath is completely stopped at a point in the mouth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the common spelling form for the bilabial voiced nasal?

m, mm, mb, mn Signup and view all the answers

Identify the appropriate example of an alveolar voiced nasal.

New Signup and view all the answers

Which of these words is an example of a velar voiced nasal?

Bank Signup and view all the answers

What kind of intonation is typically used in 'Yes/No' questions?

Rising intonation Signup and view all the answers

How should 'Wh-' questions generally be characterized in terms of intonation?

Rising for old content and falling for new content Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about voiced air is incorrect?

It is expelled only through the nose. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples includes a common spelling form of the velar voiced nasal?

Finger Signup and view all the answers

Which combination accurately describes a dark /l/?

Firm contact by the tongue tip with the tooth ridge Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the lateral explosion involving /t,d/ and /l/?

Air pressure is released by lowering the sides of the tongue Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario do syllabic consonants occur?

Consonants that form the center of a syllable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs represents a minimal pair for the /l/ sound?

Light - Right Signup and view all the answers

What phonetic feature distinguishes voiced consonants from voiceless ones?

Voiced consonants involve vibration of the vocal cords Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates a syllabic consonant correctly?

Present in the word 'bottle' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words contains a dark /l/?

Tall Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in a lateral explosion scenario?

Air is released by lowering the sides of the tongue Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Phonetics

The study of speech sounds, their production, combination, and written representation.

Organs of Speech/Articulators

Sounds produced by airflow from the lungs through the throat, nose, or mouth.
Lips: Upper and lower, pressed together or against teeth.
Teeth: Upper and lower.
Tongue: Tip, front, middle, back.
Alveolar Ridge: Behind the upper teeth.
Hard Palate: Roof of the mouth.
Soft Palate (Velum): Extreme back of the roof of the mouth; raised or lowered to open/close the passage to the nasal cavity.
Glottis: Opening between vocal folds.
Vocal Cords: In the throat (Adam's apple), can open or close, allowing air to pass through. Voiceless sounds are produced when cords are apart and air passes freely without vibration. Voiced sounds are produced when cords are tightly closed then open rapidly, causing vibration.
Pharynx: Tube below the larynx.
Lower Jaw: Alters the size of the oral cavity.
Nose and Nasal Cavity: For producing nasal sounds /m/, /n/, /ng/.

Homonyms

Words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings and spellings.

Vowels

Uninterrupted sounds.
Voiced.
Syllabic.
5 main vowels: a, e, i, o, u.
20 total vowels: 12 cardinal single vowels, 8 diphthongs.

Laterals

Consonants produced with a complete closure between the tip of the tongue and the alveolar ridge. The only air escape is along the sides of the tongue.
Voiced - Alveolar - Lateral.
Two divisions: Clear /l/ - Dark /l/.
Lateral explosion: /t,d/ + /l/. Air pressure built up during the stop is released by lowering the sides of the tongue.
Syllabic consonants: Consonants that form the center of a syllable.

Nasal Consonants

Produced with a complete closure in the mouth, but air escapes through the nose via a lowered velum.
Bilabial - Voiced - Nasal /m/
Alveolar - Voiced - Nasal /n/
Velar - Voiced - Nasal /ng/

Intonation

Rising intonation for "Yes/No" questions and new content.
Falling intonation for "Wh-" questions and old content.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

Explore the intricate study of phonetics, focusing on the various organs of speech and their roles in sound production. This quiz will cover the key articulators such as the lips, tongue, and vocal cords, providing insights into how speech sounds are made. Test your understanding of these essential components in the study of language.