Glossary
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Describes the way in which a consonant sound is formed, referring to the way in which the airflow is restricted. Consonant sounds are divided into six manners of articulation: stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, liquids, and glides. |
Fricative. This sound is produced with air escaping through a small passage, thus producing friction or a "hissing" sound.
Affricate. These sounds are a combination of a stop and a fricative that make one new sound. The sounds begin with a stop and end in a fricative.
Nasal.These sounds are similar to stops because they require a complete obstruction in the oral cavity; however, the airflow is forced into the nasal passage because the velum (soft palate in the mouth) is lowered in making a nasal sound.
Liquid. Liquids are similar to both consonants and vowels in how they are made. As in vowels, the airflow moves through the oral cavity with little obstruction. As in some consonants, the tongue is raised towards the alveolar ridge to make the sound.
Lateral Liquid. Made when the sides of the tongue are lowered and the airflow is allowed to flow outward. The tongue tip actually makes contact with the alveolar ridge in creating this sound.
Retroflex Liquid. Made when the tip of the tongue is curled up and back (a retroflexed position). The tongue is raised toward the alveolar ridge, but never actually touches it to make this sound.
Glide. These are vowel like sounds that come before and after true vowel sounds. Tongue position determines these sounds, as it does in vowels, thus, the glides are sometimes called semivowels.
State of Glottis/Voicing. Refers to the position of the glottis and the vibration of the vocal chords in forming consonant sounds. Consonant sounds can be either voiced or voiceless. All vowel sounds are voiced.
Voiced. The vocal chords vibrate when making voiced sounds. All vowels and some consonants are voiced.
Voiceless. The vocal chords do not vibrate when making voiceless sounds. Some consonants are voiceless.
Mid. These sounds are produced when the body of the tongue is positioned in the mid section of the mouth, somewhere between the roof of the mouth and the bottom of the mouth.
Low. These sounds are produced when the body of the tongue is positioned at the bottom of the mouth, farthest from the roof of the mouth.
Central. These sounds are produced when the body of the tongue is positioned at resting position in the center of the mouth.
Back. These sounds are produced when the body of the tongue is positioned slightly to the rear of resting position, at the back of the mouth.
Lax. These sounds are produced with very little muscular tension. They are often referred to as short vowel sounds.
Unrounded. The lips are not rounded when making these sounds.