Description of speech sounds

1. The definition of consonants

Consonants are sounds produced with a narrow or complete closure in the vocal tract. The air stream is either blocked momentarily or obstructed partially.

2. Description of English consonants

Consonants can be described in terms of places of articulation, manners of articulation and voicing of articulation.

(1) Places of articulation

This refers to each point at which the air stream can be modified to produce a sound.

① Bilabial: Sounds which are produced with both the upper lip and the lower lip involved. E.g. [p] [b] [m] [w]

② Labiodental: Sounds which are produced with the upper teeth touching the lower lip are called Labiodental. E.g. [f] [v]

③Interdental: If the tip of the tongue is placed between the teeth, the sound produced is called Interdental. E.g. [θ] [δ]

④ Alveolar: When the tongue touches the alveolar ridge, the sound produced is described as alveolar. E.g. [t] [d] [s] [z] [l] [n] [r]

⑤Palatal: The sounds produced with the tongue against the palate or near this area, are called palatals. E.g. [∫] [з] [t∫]] [dз] [j]

⑥Velar: The sounds made with the back of the tongue touching or near the velum are called velars. E.g. [k] [g] [ŋ]

⑦ Glottal: The sounds produced with the vocal cords as the primary articulators are called glottals. E.g. [h]

(2) Manners of articulation

This refers to how the air stream is modified, whether it is completely blocked or partially obstructed. 

① Stops: Stops are sounds produced with a complete and momentary closure of airflow and then a sudden release of it. E.g. [p] [b] [t] [d] [k] [g]

② Fricatives: Fricatives are consonants produced with a continuous airflow through the mouth. E.g. [s] [z] [∫] [з] [f] [v] [θ] [δ] [h]

③ Affricates: Affricates are sounds produced with a complete obstruction of airflow following by a slow release of it. E.g. [t∫]] [dз]

④ Liquids: Liquids are sounds produced with air escaping along the sides of the tongue or between the tip of the tongue and the alveolar ridge. E.g. [l] [r]

⑤ Glides: Glides are marginal consonants. In producing glides the airflow obstruction is very sight although the articulation involved move to a certain position. E.g. [w] [j]

⑥ Nasals: Nasals are sounds produced when the velum is lowered to allow the air stream to pass through the nasal passage. E.g. [m] [n] [ŋ]

(3) Voicing of articulation

This refers to the vibrating of the vocal cords when sounds are produced.

① Voiced sounds

② Voiceless sounds