Vowel Exam Chapter 3 Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

Name the two categories of speech sounds.

Vowels and consonants

How do phoneticians typically distinguish vowels from consonants? (Select all that apply)

Degree of vocal tract constriction (correct)

Traditional classification schemes (correct)

Distinctive feature classification schemes (correct)

Role in syllable formation (correct)

In syllable formation, how do vowels and consonants differ?

Only a vowel can be a syllable nucleus

In degree of vocal tract constriction, how do vowels and consonants differ?

Vowels are produced with an open vocal tract; consonants have constriction. Signup and view all the answers

In traditional classification schemes, are vowels analyzed by the same system as consonants?

No, vowels and consonants are analyzed by different systems. Signup and view all the answers

List and explain the ways in which vowels are classified.

Tongue placement and degree of tongue elevation. Signup and view all the answers

List and explain the ways in which consonants are classified.

Place of articulation, manner of articulation, voicing. Signup and view all the answers

In distinctive feature classification, how many systems are needed to classify consonants and vowels?

One system for consonants and two systems for vowels. Signup and view all the answers

What are bases for distinctive features?

Characteristics that are both articulatory and acoustic. Signup and view all the answers

Are distinctive features totally unrelated to traditional classification schemes?

False Signup and view all the answers

How does distinctive feature classification view each phoneme?

Each phoneme is viewed as a bundle of acoustic and articulatory features. Signup and view all the answers

Are distinctive features binary?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the manner of production for English vowels?

The way in which the airstream is modified to produce a sound. Signup and view all the answers

What is resonance/resonation?

The process of modifying a sound by passing it through a cavity of air. Signup and view all the answers

What is voicing?

Whether or not there is vocal fold vibration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary determinant in vowel identity?

Each vowel's identity is primarily a product of shaping the oral cavity. Signup and view all the answers

What affects the oral cavity shape for vowel production?

Tongue movements, jaw opening/closing, and lip rounding. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary traditional bases for classifying American English vowels? (Select all that apply)

Front, back, and central: tongue placement Signup and view all the answers

Define the role of lip position.

Lip position serves as a supplemental way of classifying vowels. Signup and view all the answers

What are monophthong vowels?

Vowels produced with one, unchanged position. Signup and view all the answers

What are diphthong vowels?

Vowels that involve a transition from one vowel position to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tongue height of vowels? (Select all that apply)

High Signup and view all the answers

What is the placement of vowels? (Select all that apply)

Front Signup and view all the answers

What is the lip shape of vowels? (Select all that apply)

Rounded Signup and view all the answers

What is the tenseness of vowels?

The degree of muscular effort and duration involved in articulating a vowel. Signup and view all the answers

What is the laxness of vowels?

The lack of muscular effort and duration involved in articulating a vowel. Signup and view all the answers

Name the two primary directions of movement for diphthongs.

Onglide and offglide. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Categories of Speech Sounds

Speech sounds are categorized into vowels and consonants.

Distinguishing Vowels and Consonants

Vowels act as syllable nuclei, while consonants do not.
Phoneticians identify vowels by open vocal tract production and consonants by constricted vocal tract.
Different systems classify vowels (based on tongue placement and elevation) and consonants (based on articulation place, manner, and voicing).

Syllable Formation

Only vowels serve as syllable nuclei.

Vocal Tract Constriction

Vowels have an open vocal tract during production; consonants involve constriction.

Classification of Vowels

Vowels are classified by tongue placement (front, central, back) and degree of tongue elevation (high, mid, low).

Classification of Consonants

Consonants are classified based on:
- Place of articulation: the physical location where articulators come together.
- Manner of articulation: the modification of airstream.
- Voicing: presence or absence of vocal fold vibration.

Distinctive Feature Classification

One system is used for consonants and two for vowels within distinctive feature classifications.

Bases for Distinctive Features

Features are characteristically both articulatory and acoustic.

Relation to Traditional Classification

Distinctive features align with traditional vowel classifications; however, it differs in that consonants require one system and vowels two.

Phonemes and Features

Each phoneme consists of a bundle of binary features, indicating whether the feature is present or absent.

Manner of Production for Vowels

Vowel production involves modifying the airstream during articulation.

Resonance

Sound modification occurs through resonance, which involves passing sound through an air cavity.

Voicing in Consonants

Voicing refers to whether there is vocal fold vibration, categorizing consonants as voiced or voiceless.

Vowel Identity Determinant

Vowel identity results predominantly from the shaping of the oral cavity.

Factors Affecting Oral Cavity Shape

Tongue movements, jaw positioning, and lip rounding significantly influence the oral cavity shape for vowel production.

Traditional Classification for American English Vowels

Vowels are categorized as:
- Tongue elevation: high, mid, low
- Relative closeness: close, open
- Tongue placement: front, back, central

Lip Position in Vowel Classification

Lip position, whether rounded or unrounded, is an additional classification factor for vowels.

Types of Vowels

Monophthong vowels maintain a single, unchanged position during articulation.
Diphthong vowels transition from one vowel position (onglide/nucleus) to another (offglide).

Vowel Characteristics

Tongue height can be classified as high, mid, or low.
Vowel placement is categorized as front, central, or back.
Lip shape can be classified as rounded or unrounded.
Tenseness denotes the muscular effort and duration in articulating a vowel.
Laxness indicates minimal muscular effort and shorter duration in vowel articulation.

Movement Directions for Diphthongs

Diphthongs exhibit two primary movements: onglide (initial position) and offglide (transitioned position).

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Description

This quiz focuses on Chapter 3 of the Vowel Exam. It covers the fundamental categorization of speech sounds, specifically vowels and consonants. Students will explore the distinctions between these sounds in terms of syllable formation and phonetic classification.