Approximants

Summary

This video script delves into the intricacies of phonetics, specifically focusing on approximants and fricatives. It explains how approximants, such as the English 'r' and 'l', are formed by the close but not hard contact of speech organs, contrasting with the continuous friction in fricatives. The script also highlights that all approximants are voiced and discusses their classification into central and lateral types, as well as liquids and glides.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses phonetic sounds, specifically focusing on approximants and their articulation.
• 🗣️ Approximants are speech sounds that involve the articulators (speech organs) approaching each other without creating friction.
• 🔊 Fricatives are similar to approximants but involve a slight touch and continuous airflow, unlike plosives which involve a hard press and sudden release.
• 👅 The difference between approximants and fricatives is determined by the distance between the articulators.
• 🌐 Approximants are part of the broader class of sounds known as continuants, characterized by continuous airflow.
• 🔍 There are two types of approximants: central approximants and lateral approximants.
• 🌐 All approximants are voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate during their production.
• 👄 English examples of approximants include 'r' (central approximant), 'l' (lateral approximant), 'y' (palatal approximant), and 'w' (labial-velar approximant).
• 🌐 In some contexts, voiceless fricatives like 'h' in English can be pronounced as approximants, merging with following vowels.
• 🔎 Approximants can be further classified into liquids and glides, with liquids involving the tongue and teeth ridge and glides involving a smooth transition of articulators.
• 🌏 Language-specific examples include the voiced palatal lateral approximant in Spanish, which can cause pronunciation challenges for English speakers learning Spanish.

Q & A

What is the difference between a plosive and a fricative in terms of articulation?

A plosive, like 'ta', involves pressing the articulators hard against each other and releasing the air suddenly. A fricative involves the articulators touching but not pressing hard, allowing for continuous airflow with some friction.

What does the term 'approximant' refer to in phonetics?

An approximant is a term in phonetics referring to a speech sound that belongs to the broad class of frictionless continuants, where the active articulator approaches the passive articulator without creating audible friction.

How is the difference between an approximant and a fricative determined?

The difference is determined by the distance between the articulators. In an approximant, there is no friction but there is turbulence of air, whereas in a fricative, the articulators are closer, creating friction.

Why are approximants considered the most relaxed consonants?

Approximants are considered the most relaxed consonants because they involve the least amount of effort in terms of tongue and lip movement, with the articulators approaching each other without significant constriction.

What are the two types of approximants mentioned in the script?

The two types of approximants mentioned are central approximants and lateral approximants.

Are all approximants voiced or can they be voiceless?

All approximants are voiced. There is no mention of voiceless approximants in the script.

What is a central approximant and can you give an example?

A central approximant is produced when the tongue tip approaches the alveolar ridge and air flows down the middle of the tongue. An example is the English sound 'r' as in 'era'.

What is a lateral approximant and how is it different from a central approximant?

A lateral approximant is produced when the middle of the tongue is raised, allowing air to flow laterally (on the sides). It is different from a central approximant in that the airflow direction changes from the middle to the sides of the tongue.

What is a doubly articulated approximant and give an example?

A doubly articulated approximant involves two points of articulation. An example is the English 'w' sound, which is both a labio-dental and a velar approximant.

How can the pronunciation of 'ha' in English sometimes be similar to an approximant?

In real contexts, the voiceless fricative 'ha' can be pronounced like an approximant when it merges with a following vowel, increasing the distance between the articulators to resemble an approximant more closely.

What are the two classes of approximants, and how do they differ?

The two classes of approximants are liquids and glides. Liquids involve the tongue and teeth ridge approaching each other with air flowing over the sides, while glides involve the tongue moving towards a specific point of articulation without significant constriction.

Why might a Spanish speaker learning English have difficulty distinguishing between 'ya' and 'jab'?

A Spanish speaker might have difficulty because in Spanish, a voiced palatal lateral approximant sounds similar to 'ya' or 'jab', and they may not be accustomed to distinguishing the central approximant sounds in English.