4 Consonants are produced by a closure in
4. Consonants are produced ‘by a closure in the vocal tract, or by a narrowing which is so marked that air cannot escape without producing audible friction’. p By contrast, a vowel is produced without such ‘stricture’ so that ‘air escapes in a relatively unimpeded way through the mouth or nose’. p 1
The distinction between vowels and consonants lies in the obstruction of airstream. p As there is no obstruction of air in the production of vowels, the description of the consonants and vowels cannot be done along the same lines. p 2
In the production of consonants at least two articulators are involved. p For example, the initial sound in bad involves both lips and its final segment involves the blade (or the tip) of the tongue and the alveolar ridge. p The categories of consonant, therefore, are established on the basis of several factors. p 3
The manner of articulation refers to ways in which articulation can be accomplished: p the articulators may close off the oral tract for an instant or a relatively long period; p they may narrow the space considerably; or p they may simply modify the shape of the tract by approaching each other. p 4
Manner of articulation Stop (or Plosive) __ Oral & Nasal p Fricative p (Median) Approximant p Lateral (Approximant) p Trill p Tap or Flap p Affricate p 5
The place of articulation refers to the point where a consonant is made. p Practically consonants may be produced at any place between the lips and the vocal folds. p Eleven places of articulation are distinguished on the IPA chart: p 6
Place of articulation Bilabial p Labiodental p Dental p Alveolar p postalveolar p Retroflex p Palatal p Velar p Uvular p Pharyngeal p Glottal p 7
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English consonants Received Pronunciation (RP) p General American (GA) p p English consonants 9
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Description of English consonants [p] voiceless bilabial stop/plosive p [b] voiced bilabial stop/plosive p [s] voiceless alveolar fricative p [z] voiced alveolar fricative p 11
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