Introduction to Phonetics

Question 1

What is phonetics?

Answer 1

The study of sounds of speech as physical events. The study of the way speech sounds are produced.

Question 2

What is articulatory phonetics?

Answer 2

Observing what the tongue does when it produces different sounds (MRI and ultrasound)

Question 3

What is acoustic phonetics?

Answer 3

Using wave forms to see the sounds being produced.

Question 4

What is auditory phonetics?

Answer 4

Training your ear to recognise different sounds.

Question 5

What is phonology?

Answer 5

• The study of speech sounds used in a language, how sounds function in a language.
• How sounds are used and organised in natural language.
• The rules of a language

Question 6

What are 3 parts of the speech production mechanism?

Answer 6

1. Respiratory/ breathing region (diaphragm and lungs)
2. Laryngeal/ phonatory region (larynx and vocal folds)
3. Articulatory/ supra-laryngeal region (oral and nasal cavity).

Question 7

During normal breathing what percentage is inhalation?

Answer 7

40%

Question 8

During normal breathing what percentage is exhalation?

Answer 8

60%

Question 9

During speaking what percentage is inhalation?

Answer 9

10%

Question 10

During speaking what percentage is exhalation?

Answer 10

90%

Question 11

What can speaking be described as?

Answer 11

Modified breathing-> air is modified by articulatory organs.

Question 12

What is pulmonic egressive airstream?

Answer 12

Pulmonic= lungs
Egressive= outwards

Question 13

What is voicing?

Answer 13

Vocal fold vibration, caused by the air flowing through them.

Question 14

What changes when going from a /z/ to a /s/?

Answer 14

The vocal folds vibrate for /z/.

Question 15

What is the epiglottis, where is it found and what is the function?

Answer 15

An elastic cartilage that sits on top of the larynx and seals it off during swallowing.