ENG1502 Assignment 2 (Detailed Answers) Due 13 June 2025

ENG1502
Assignment 2
(Detailed Answers)
Due 13 June 2025

, ENG1502 Assignment 2 Detailed Response Due 13 June 2025

Question 1.1: Places of Articulation (12 Marks)


a) Palatal


• Word: _Y_awn


• Explanation: The palatal sound /j/ (“y”) is produced when the middle of the tongue

elevates toward the hard palate, reducing airflow without full closure—yielding a

smooth glide. Named “palatal” for its interaction with the palate itself (Ladefoged &

Johnson, 2015).


b) Alveolar


• Word: _D_og


• Explanation: The alveolar stop /d/ (“d”) involves the tongue tip/blade contacting the

alveolar ridge immediately behind the upper front teeth, briefly halting airflow before

release. Its name stems directly from the arterial ridge location (Crystal, 2008).


c) Labio-dental


• Word: _F_ish


• Explanation: The fricative /f/ (“f”) emerges when the lower lip contacts the upper

incisors, forcing air through a narrow gap and producing turbulence. The term

“labio-dental” reflects the lip-to-teeth mechanism (Ladefoged & Johnson, 2015).


d) Velar


• Word: _K_ite


• Explanation: The velar stop /k/ (“k”) is articulated when the back of the tongue

contacts the soft palate (velum), momentarily blocking airflow. “Velar” refers

directly to its site at the velum (Crystal, 2008).