The 24 Consonant Sounds in English | English Phonology

Summary

This educational video script explores the 24 consonant sounds in English, categorized into plosives, fricatives, affricates, nasals, and approximants. It explains the production of these sounds, noting the differences between voiced and voiceless pairs. The script also touches on the physical positions of the mouth and vocal tract during articulation, providing insights into the logic behind the organization of the consonant chart.

Takeaways

• 🔊 There are 24 consonant sounds in English, not just 24 consonant letters.
• 📊 The consonant chart is organized logically, with sounds on the left typically produced at the front of the mouth and those on the right at the back.
• 💥 Plosive sounds are made by a complete closure in the vocal tract that is suddenly released, creating an 'explosion' of air.
• 🗣️ Plosives come in pairs, with one sound in each pair being voiced (using vocal cords) and the other voiceless.
• 🌬️ Fricatives are produced when the articulators come close enough to create air friction without complete closure.
• 👫 Fricatives also occur in pairs, with one voiceless and one voiced sound, similar to plosives.
• 🔁 Affricates are a combination of plosives and fricatives, where the transition from one sound to the next is made without a break.
• 🌀 Nasal sounds are unique because the air is released through the nose, not the mouth, and all nasals are voiced.
• 🌬️ Approximants are produced with the articulators close but with more freedom for air to pass, similar to vowel sounds but not the core of a syllable.
• 🔢 Out of the 24 consonant sounds, 9 are voiceless and 15 are voiced.

Q & A

How many consonant sounds are there in English according to the script?

There are 24 consonant sounds in English.

What is the difference between consonant letters and consonant sounds?

Consonant letters refer to the written symbols in the alphabet, while consonant sounds refer to the actual sounds that are produced when pronouncing words.

How are the sounds organized in the consonant chart mentioned in the script?

The sounds in the consonant chart are organized logically, with sounds on the left typically produced at the front of the mouth and sounds on the right produced towards the back of the mouth.

What are plosive sounds and how many are there in English?

Plosive sounds are formed by a complete closure in the vocal tract that is suddenly released, creating a mini explosion of air. There are six plosive sounds in English.

How can you tell if a plosive sound is voiced or voiceless?

A voiced plosive sound involves the vibration of the vocal cords, while a voiceless plosive sound does not. You can feel this by placing your hand on your throat while pronouncing the sounds.

What is the difference between plosive and fricative sounds?

Plosive sounds involve a complete closure and release in the vocal tract, while fricative sounds involve the articulators coming close enough to create air friction without full closure.

How many fricative sounds are there in English, and what is a characteristic of these sounds?

There are nine fricative sounds in English. A characteristic of these sounds is the presence of air friction due to the close proximity of the articulators without full closure.

What are affricate sounds and how do they differ from plosives and fricatives?

Affricate sounds are a combination of a plosive and a fricative sound produced consecutively. There are two affricate sounds in English, which are pairs of unvoiced and voiced sounds.

What are nasal sounds and how do they produce sound?

Nasal sounds are produced when the air is released through the nose instead of the mouth, with the vocal cords vibrating. There are three nasal sounds in English.

What are approximants and how do they compare to vowel sounds?

Approximants are sounds where the articulators come close but not as close as in fricatives, allowing air to flow more freely. They are similar to vowel sounds but are not the core of a syllable, hence they are not full vowel sounds. There are four approximants in English.

How many of the 24 consonant sounds in English are voiceless, and how many are voiced?

Out of the 24 consonant sounds, nine are voiceless and 15 are voiced.