Physical Components of Human Speech

Physical Components of Human Speech

• Vocal Folds (Vocal Cords): Two bands of muscle tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound
• Larynx (Voice Box): Contains the vocal folds and is located in the neck
• Trachea (Windpipe): Tube that connects the larynx to the lungs
• Mouth: Shapes sounds with the tongue, lips, and teeth
• Nose: Plays a role in producing nasal sounds
• Brain: Controls the production of speech, including articulation, phonology, and language processing

Speech Production Process

1. Respiration: Air is breathed in through the lungs
2. Phonation: Air passes through the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate and produce sound
3. Articulation: Sounds are shaped by the tongue, lips, and teeth in the mouth
4. Resonance: Sounds are amplified and modified by the nasal and oral cavities
5. Language Processing: The brain processes language rules, syntax, and semantics to create meaningful speech

Speech Sounds

• Phonemes: Smallest units of sound in a language that distinguish meaning
• Vowels: Sounds produced by the free flow of air through the vocal folds (e.g., /a/, /e/, /i/)
• Consonants: Sounds produced by obstructing airflow with the tongue, lips, or teeth (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/)

Speech Characteristics

• Pitch: The highness or lowness of a sound, controlled by vocal fold tension
• Volume: The loudness or softness of a sound, controlled by airflow and vocal fold tension
• Rate: The speed at which speech is produced
• Articulation: The clarity and precision of speech sounds
• Prosody: The rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech

Physical Components of Human Speech

• Vocal folds, two bands of muscle tissue, vibrate to produce sound and are located in the larynx.
• Larynx, containing the vocal folds, is situated in the neck and plays a crucial role in sound production.
• The trachea, or windpipe, connects the larynx to the lungs, enabling airflow.
• The mouth shapes sounds using the tongue, lips, and teeth.
• The nose contributes to producing nasal sounds.
• The brain controls speech production, including articulation, phonology, and language processing.

Speech Production Process

• Respiration involves breathing in air through the lungs.
• Phonation occurs when air passes through the vibrating vocal folds, producing sound.
• Articulation shapes sounds using the tongue, lips, and teeth in the mouth.
• Resonance amplifies and modifies sounds through the nasal and oral cavities.
• Language processing involves the brain's processing of language rules, syntax, and semantics to create meaningful speech.

Speech Sounds

• Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language that distinguish meaning.
• Vowels are produced by the free flow of air through the vocal folds, such as /a/, /e/, and /i/.
• Consonants are produced by obstructing airflow with the tongue, lips, or teeth, such as /p/, /t/, and /k/.

Speech Characteristics

• Pitch is determined by vocal fold tension, affecting the highness or lowness of a sound.
• Volume is controlled by airflow and vocal fold tension, influencing the loudness or softness of a sound.
• Rate refers to the speed at which speech is produced.
• Articulation involves the clarity and precision of speech sounds.
• Prosody encompasses the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech.