Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 3: Types of Phonetics: Articulatory Phonetics
(review), Acoustic Phonetics and Auditory Phonetics
Study Materials: Comprehensive Notes, Summaries, Key
Terms for Exam Success, Admission Tests, and Interviews
by Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
(The Ultimate Success Notes: Your shortcut to exam, admission test, and interview success.
Includes focused study guides, quick summaries, and must-know key terms)
Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 3: Types of Phonetics
Lesson 1: Articulatory Phonetics (review)
The study of how speech sounds are produced using the mouth and
vocal tract.
Introduction
Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, allowing us to share ideas,
emotions, and information effectively. At the core of spoken language is a series of sounds
that are meticulously produced by the human speech apparatus. The branch of linguistics
dedicated to studying these sounds is known as phonetics. Within phonetics, articulatory
phonetics specifically examines how speech sounds are produced by the movement and
interaction of various parts of the vocal tract.
This lesson offers a detailed exploration of articulatory phonetics, covering the anatomy
involved in speech production, the classification of speech sounds, the processes
underlying their creation, and the tools used to study them. It aims to provide a
comprehensive understanding suitable for students, linguists, language educators, and
anyone interested in the science of speech.
1. Overview of Articulatory Phonetics
Articulatory phonetics is the branch of phonetics concerned with how speech sounds are
made, which parts of the vocal tract are involved, and how these parts move and coordinate
,during speech. It compares the processes and mechanisms involved in producing different
types of sounds, especially consonants and vowels.
Goals of articulatory phonetics:
To explain how speech sounds are physically produced.
To categorize speech sounds based on their production mechanisms.
To understand how different languages utilize different articulatory features.
2. The Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Production
The production of speech sounds involves multiple organs working together in a complex
coordination. These organs are collectively known as the speech apparatus or vocal
apparatus.
2.1 Respiratory System
Lungs: The primary source of air for speech, providing a continuous airflow.
Trachea: Windpipe that channels air from the lungs upwards.
Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle that controls lung volume and airflow.
Rib cage: Protects the lungs and assists in controlling airflow.
The respiratory system acts as the power source for speech. The lungs generate airflow,
which is then modulated to produce different sounds.
2.2 Phonatory System (Vocal Folds/Vocal Cords)
Located in the larynx (voice box).
The vocal cords vibrate as air passes through them, producing vocal tone.
Voicing: Whether the vocal cords vibrate (voiced sounds) or stay apart (voiceless
sounds).
2.3 Resonators
Pharynx: The throat cavity.
Oral cavity: The mouth.
Nasal cavity: The nose.
These cavities act as resonators, amplifying or dampening certain sound frequencies, thus
contributing to the distinctive quality of different sounds.
2.4 Articulators
The articulators are the active and passive speech organs that shape the airflow into speech
sounds:
Active articulators: Move to modify the vocal tract (e.g., tongue, lips, jaw).
, Passive articulators: Fixed structures that serve as points of contact or constriction
(e.g., teeth, palate, alveolar ridge).
3. Classification of Speech Sounds in Articulatory Phonetics
Speech sounds are primarily classified into consonants and vowels based on how different
articulators manipulate airflow.
3.1 Consonants
Produced with some degree of constriction or closure in the vocal tract.
Characterized by manner and place of articulation, and whether they are voiced or
voiceless.
3.2 Vowels
Produced with a relatively open vocal tract.
Their classification relies mainly on tongue position (height and backness) and lip
rounding.
4. Articulatory Features and Their Role in Speech Production
4.1 Place of Articulation
This indicates where in the vocal tract the constriction or closure occurs:
Bilabial: Both lips (e.g., /p/ and /b/)
Labiodental: Lips and teeth (e.g., /f/ and /v/)
Dental: Tongue tip and teeth (e.g., /θ/ and /ð/)
Alveolar: Tongue tip and alveolar ridge (e.g., /t/ and /d/)
Post-alveolar: Slightly further back in the mouth (e.g., /ʃ/ and /ʒ/)
Palatal: Tongue and hard palate (e.g., /j/ as in "yes")
Velar: Back of the tongue and soft palate (e.g., /k/ and /g/)
Glottal: Glottis or vocal cords (e.g., /h/ and the glottal stop /ʔ/)
4.2 Manner of Articulation
Describes how airflow is modified:
Stop (Plosive): Complete closure in oral cavity (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/)
Fricative: Narrow constriction causing turbulent airflow (e.g., /f/, /s/)
Affricate: Stop followed by fricative (e.g., /ʧ/ as in "church")
Nasal: Air directed through the nose (e.g., /m/, /n/)
Liquid: Slightly more open, flowing sounds (e.g., /l/, /r/)
Glide (Semivowel): Slightly more constricted than vowels (e.g., /w/, /j/)
4.3 Voicing
Chapter 3: Types of Phonetics: Articulatory Phonetics
(review), Acoustic Phonetics and Auditory Phonetics
Study Materials: Comprehensive Notes, Summaries, Key
Terms for Exam Success, Admission Tests, and Interviews
by Syeda Sumaira Tabassum
(The Ultimate Success Notes: Your shortcut to exam, admission test, and interview success.
Includes focused study guides, quick summaries, and must-know key terms)
Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 3: Types of Phonetics
Lesson 1: Articulatory Phonetics (review)
The study of how speech sounds are produced using the mouth and
vocal tract.
Introduction
Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, allowing us to share ideas,
emotions, and information effectively. At the core of spoken language is a series of sounds
that are meticulously produced by the human speech apparatus. The branch of linguistics
dedicated to studying these sounds is known as phonetics. Within phonetics, articulatory
phonetics specifically examines how speech sounds are produced by the movement and
interaction of various parts of the vocal tract.
This lesson offers a detailed exploration of articulatory phonetics, covering the anatomy
involved in speech production, the classification of speech sounds, the processes
underlying their creation, and the tools used to study them. It aims to provide a
comprehensive understanding suitable for students, linguists, language educators, and
anyone interested in the science of speech.
1. Overview of Articulatory Phonetics
Articulatory phonetics is the branch of phonetics concerned with how speech sounds are
made, which parts of the vocal tract are involved, and how these parts move and coordinate
,during speech. It compares the processes and mechanisms involved in producing different
types of sounds, especially consonants and vowels.
Goals of articulatory phonetics:
To explain how speech sounds are physically produced.
To categorize speech sounds based on their production mechanisms.
To understand how different languages utilize different articulatory features.
2. The Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Production
The production of speech sounds involves multiple organs working together in a complex
coordination. These organs are collectively known as the speech apparatus or vocal
apparatus.
2.1 Respiratory System
Lungs: The primary source of air for speech, providing a continuous airflow.
Trachea: Windpipe that channels air from the lungs upwards.
Diaphragm: A dome-shaped muscle that controls lung volume and airflow.
Rib cage: Protects the lungs and assists in controlling airflow.
The respiratory system acts as the power source for speech. The lungs generate airflow,
which is then modulated to produce different sounds.
2.2 Phonatory System (Vocal Folds/Vocal Cords)
Located in the larynx (voice box).
The vocal cords vibrate as air passes through them, producing vocal tone.
Voicing: Whether the vocal cords vibrate (voiced sounds) or stay apart (voiceless
sounds).
2.3 Resonators
Pharynx: The throat cavity.
Oral cavity: The mouth.
Nasal cavity: The nose.
These cavities act as resonators, amplifying or dampening certain sound frequencies, thus
contributing to the distinctive quality of different sounds.
2.4 Articulators
The articulators are the active and passive speech organs that shape the airflow into speech
sounds:
Active articulators: Move to modify the vocal tract (e.g., tongue, lips, jaw).
, Passive articulators: Fixed structures that serve as points of contact or constriction
(e.g., teeth, palate, alveolar ridge).
3. Classification of Speech Sounds in Articulatory Phonetics
Speech sounds are primarily classified into consonants and vowels based on how different
articulators manipulate airflow.
3.1 Consonants
Produced with some degree of constriction or closure in the vocal tract.
Characterized by manner and place of articulation, and whether they are voiced or
voiceless.
3.2 Vowels
Produced with a relatively open vocal tract.
Their classification relies mainly on tongue position (height and backness) and lip
rounding.
4. Articulatory Features and Their Role in Speech Production
4.1 Place of Articulation
This indicates where in the vocal tract the constriction or closure occurs:
Bilabial: Both lips (e.g., /p/ and /b/)
Labiodental: Lips and teeth (e.g., /f/ and /v/)
Dental: Tongue tip and teeth (e.g., /θ/ and /ð/)
Alveolar: Tongue tip and alveolar ridge (e.g., /t/ and /d/)
Post-alveolar: Slightly further back in the mouth (e.g., /ʃ/ and /ʒ/)
Palatal: Tongue and hard palate (e.g., /j/ as in "yes")
Velar: Back of the tongue and soft palate (e.g., /k/ and /g/)
Glottal: Glottis or vocal cords (e.g., /h/ and the glottal stop /ʔ/)
4.2 Manner of Articulation
Describes how airflow is modified:
Stop (Plosive): Complete closure in oral cavity (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/)
Fricative: Narrow constriction causing turbulent airflow (e.g., /f/, /s/)
Affricate: Stop followed by fricative (e.g., /ʧ/ as in "church")
Nasal: Air directed through the nose (e.g., /m/, /n/)
Liquid: Slightly more open, flowing sounds (e.g., /l/, /r/)
Glide (Semivowel): Slightly more constricted than vowels (e.g., /w/, /j/)
4.3 Voicing
