PHO103 - Speech Anatomy

Summary

This video provides an insightful introduction to the anatomy of speech production, detailing three core mechanisms: respiration, phonation, and articulation. It explains how air from the lungs serves as the energy source, the larynx modifies airflow to create sound, and the vocal tract shapes these sounds through various articulators. The speaker demonstrates different modes of phonation and articulatory processes, emphasizing the roles of active and passive articulators. The lecture concludes by inviting viewers to explore additional resources on the Virtual Linguistics Campus, enhancing their understanding of speech science.

Takeaways

• 😀 Respiration is essential for speech, as the lungs provide the airflow needed for sound production.
• 😀 The airflow from the lungs is called pulmonic air, which is modified for speech through controlled breathing.
• 😀 In speech, inhalation is quick, while exhalation, which produces sound, is prolonged.
• 😀 The larynx functions as a valve, preventing foreign substances from entering the trachea and modulating airflow for sound.
• 😀 Vocal folds (or vocal cords) vibrate to create sound, with varying frequencies based on factors like age and sex.
• 😀 Different phonation types, including voicelessness, normal voice, whisper, breathy voice, and creaky voice, are produced by altering vocal fold tension and airflow.
• 😀 The vocal tract is a key component for articulating speech sounds, shaped by the actions of various articulators.
• 😀 Active articulators, like the tongue and lower lip, play a crucial role in producing both vowels and consonants.
• 😀 Passive articulators, such as the alveolar ridge and teeth, provide contact points for articulators but do not move.
• 😀 Understanding the interplay of respiration, phonation, and articulation is vital for grasping speech production mechanisms.

Q & A

What are the three central mechanisms responsible for speech production?

The three central mechanisms are respiration, phonation, and articulation.

How does the pattern of breathing change during speech compared to normal breathing?

During speech, inhalation is quick and exhalation is prolonged, allowing for longer periods of speech output.

What is pulmonic air?

Pulmonic air refers to the air produced by the lungs that is necessary for speech.

What is the primary function of the larynx in speech production?

The larynx acts as a valve to modify airflow from the lungs and produces audible sound through vocal fold vibration.

What types of vocal fold action are involved in phonation?

Types of vocal fold action include voicelessness, normal voice, whisper, breathy voice, creaky voice, and falsetto.

What distinguishes whisper from normal voice?

Whisper requires a greater constriction of the vocal cords compared to normal voice, which has regular vocal fold vibration.

What are active and passive articulators in speech production?

Active articulators are the moving parts (like the tongue and lower lip), while passive articulators are fixed structures (like the alveolar ridge and teeth).

How does the vocal tract affect the airstream during speech?

The vocal tract modifies the airstream through the actions of active articulators, shaping the sounds produced.

What is the significance of breath control in speech?

Breath control allows for the modulation of speech output, enabling speakers to articulate sounds clearly and maintain prolonged speech.

How can one access additional resources related to speech science?

Additional resources, including e-lectures and notes, can be accessed for free through the Virtual Linguistics Campus with a free account.