Manner of Articulation | Consonant Sounds in English - Phonology

Summary

This educational video offers an in-depth exploration of the manner of articulation in English phonetics. It explains various types of consonant sounds, including plosives, fricatives, affricates, nasals, approximants, and the unique tap sound. The script delves into how these sounds are formed by the vocal tract, highlighting the differences in airflow and tongue position. With illustrative examples and mnemonic images, the video aims to clarify the concepts of place and manner of articulation, phonation, and the distinctive characteristics of voiced and unvoiced sounds, making it an engaging resource for English learners and language enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The video discusses the concept of 'manner of articulation', which is essential for describing how consonant sounds are formed in English.
• 🔊 'Plosives', also known as 'stops', are sounds created by completely blocking the vocal tract and then releasing the air suddenly, producing a burst of sound.
• 👄 Plosives in English include sounds made with both lips, the tongue against the alveolar ridge, and the glottal stop, which occurs between vowels.
• 🌪️ 'Fricatives' are produced when two articulators come close, creating a narrow opening for air to flow through, causing audible air turbulence.
• 📜 There are nine fricatives in English, including sounds like /f/, /v/, /θ/, /ð/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /h/, and /r/, each with unique tongue and lip positions.
• 🔄 'Affricates' combine the characteristics of plosives and fricatives, starting with a complete stop followed by a continuous release through a small opening.
• 👃 'Nasals' are sounds where the airflow is blocked from the mouth and released through the nasal cavity, with three main nasal sounds in English.
• 🌬️ 'Approximants' are sounds where articulators form a narrow space without causing air friction, positioned between vowel sounds and fricatives.
• 💧 The 'tap' or 'flap T' is a specific sound produced by a quick tap of the tongue against the alveolar ridge, commonly used in casual speech.
• 📊 The video provides a comprehensive chart that categorizes all English consonant sounds by their place and manner of articulation, including voiced and unvoiced distinctions.
• 📝 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding different manners of articulation for English pronunciation and phonology, offering additional resources for further learning.

Q & A

What are the three main aspects of sound production discussed in the video?

The three main aspects of sound production discussed in the video are place of articulation, manner of articulation, and phonation.

What is the difference between plosives and stops?

Plosives and stops are actually the same; they are two terms used to describe the same type of consonant sound where the vocal tract is completely closed off, and then the air is released suddenly with a sharp burst.

How are plosive sounds formed in English?

Plosive sounds are formed by creating a full closure in the vocal tract, preventing air from escaping, and then releasing the air suddenly, creating a burst of sound.

What is the glottal stop and where is it usually found in speech?

The glottal stop is a sound produced when the glottis opens and closes, usually found between vowels, and it's represented by a specific symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

How many plosive consonants are there in English and what is a mnemonic to help remember them?

There are seven plosive consonants in English. A mnemonic to help remember them is 'EAR', as in 'explosion', which is related to the burst of air when pronouncing plosives.

What are fricatives and how are they different from plosives?

Fricatives are consonant sounds formed when two articulators come close to create a narrow opening, causing air turbulence and friction. Unlike plosives, there is no complete closure in the vocal tract.

How many fricatives are there in English and what is a mnemonic to help remember them?

There are nine fricatives in English. A mnemonic to help remember them is an image of a cloud blowing out wind, symbolizing the air turbulence associated with fricatives.

What is an affricate and how does it differ from a plosive?

An affricate is a consonant sound that starts as a plosive with a complete closure and then immediately transitions to a fricative with a small opening, allowing air to flow with friction.

What are nasal sounds and how are they produced?

Nasal sounds are produced when the airflow is blocked from leaving the mouth and instead released through the nasal cavity. The sound is created by the vibration of the vocal cords within the nasal cavity.

How many nasal sounds are there in English and what image is used as a mnemonic?

There are three nasal sounds in English. An image of a nose is used as a mnemonic to help remember them, as the nose plays a significant role in their production.

What are approximants and how do they differ from fricatives?

Approximants are sounds formed when two articulators come together to form a narrow space, allowing air to flow without creating audible friction, unlike fricatives which have a smaller opening causing air turbulence.

What are the subgroups of approximants and what terms are used to describe them?

The subgroups of approximants are Glides or semi-vowels and laterals or liquids. Glides involve movement of the articulators, while laterals involve the air flowing on either side of the tongue.

What is the tap sound and how is it produced?

The tap sound, also known as the flap T, is produced when the tongue quickly taps against the alveolar ridge, creating a single, quick sound that is different from the full T plosive sound.

What is the significance of the table provided at the end of the script?

The table provided at the end of the script is a summary that categorizes all the consonant sounds of English based on their place and manner of articulation, including information on phonation, which indicates whether the sounds are voiced or unvoiced.