a brief description of the vocal apparatus and the way sound is produced

1. INTRODUCTION TO PHONETICS
The Production of Speech
Sounds
BBYY:: LLiicc.. IIttzzeell LLóóppeezz YY..

2. Articulators Above the Larynx
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The larynx is the sound source
since the vocal cords are located
there
the vocal cords are very important
organs for speech production.
The pharynx is a tube which begins
just above the larynx
The velum or soft palate is seen in the
diagram in a position that allows air to
pass through the nose and through the
mouth.
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The hard palate is often called the "roof of the
mouth".
The alveolar ridge is between the top
front teeth and the hard palate
The tongue is, of course, a very
important articulator and it can be
moved into many different places and
different shapes.

3. THE VOCAL APPARATUS
Fig. 2 Sub-divisions of the tongue

4. Types of Articulators
 Air passes from the larynx into the pharynx. After passing the pharynx, air moves
into the vocal tract, which consists of the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. The
oral cavity, that is the mouth, generates speech sounds with the different
articulators described before.
 Some articulators are active (moving) or passive (stationary). The active
articulators include the following:
 The tongue that is divided into the tip, the blade, the front, the back, and
the root.
 The lower lip.
The passive articulators include the following:
 The teeth: both upper and lower teeth.
 The roof of the mouth that is divided into the alveolar ridge, the hard
palate, the soft palate or velum, and the uvula.
 The pharynx or back of the throat

5. Classification of consonant sounds
 The basic division of sounds is into two major classes: vowel
sounds and consonant sounds. There is a third group of sounds
that is called glides. Glides share properties of both vowels and
consonants ( for example, /w/ and /y/).
 A consonant is defined as a speech sound which is articulated
with some kind of closure of the air stream. Consonants are
classified according to the following characteristics:
Voicing:
This characteristic refers to the vibration or absence of vibration of
the vocal cords when air passes between them. Sounds can be
produced with or without these vibrations.
Voiced sounds: Sounds produced with the vibration of the vocal
cords in the larynx. For example /z/, /g/, /d/, and any vowel
sound.
Voiceless sounds: Sounds produced without any vibration of the
vocal cords in the larynx. For example /t/, /k/, /s/.

6. Place of articulation:
It refers to where the constriction occurs and what articulators are involved.
 Bilabial: The two lips are together. For example, /b/, /p/.
 Labiodental: The lower lip is against the upper front teeth. For example, /f/
and /v/.
 Interdental: The tip of the tongue is positioned between the teeth or touches the
back of the upper teeth. For example /q/ as in thanks.
 Dental: The tip of the tongue touches the back of the upper teeth. For example
/d/ in Spanish as in día.
 Alveolar: The tip of the tongue makes contact with the alveolar ridge. For
example, the sound of /d/ in English.
 Palatal: The front of the tongue is positioned against the hard palate. For
example, /∫/ as in shoe.
 Velar: The back of the tongue touches the velum. For example, the sound /g/ in
English.
 Uvular: The back of the tongue touches the uvula. This sound does not occur in
English.

7. Place of articulation