wk 2 - consonants

Question 1

Why do we need to use the IPA?

Answer 1

1. to be consistent & unambiguous about the sounds we want to represent
2. need a transcription system with a 1-1 correspondence between sounds and symbols
3. can be used for ALL spoken human languages

Question 2

whats the diff between consonants & vowels?

Answer 2

production of consonants involves constricting the airflow in a way but vowels dn

Question 3

Describe the 3 parameters used to produce consonants.

Answer 3

• change in any parameter -> creates a diff consonant

1. Place of articulation
   - where is the airflow obstructed?

Types of sounds:
- Bilabial: lips tgt [b]
- Labio-dental: lower lip + upper teeth [f,v]
- Interdental: teeth betw lips [th]
- Alveolar: right behind yr teeth, alveolar ridge
[s, t, d]
- Post-alveolar: behind alveolar ridge [shhhh]
- Palatal: hard palate, behind post-alveolar ridge
- Velar: soft palate [k,g]
- Glottal: vocal cords, hold your breath (uh-oh)

2. Manner of articulation
   - HOW is the airflow obstructed?

a. stops - closed at the alveolar ridge
- oral stop: plosives [p, t, k, b, d, g]
-> complete closure in oral cavity, velum raised -> air cannot escape from vocal tract -> buildup of pressure which is sudd released

• nasal stops: [n, m, ng]
  -> complete closure in oral cavity, velum lowered -> air cannot escape from vocal tract but can escape from nose

b. fricatives [f, v, sh, h, s, z
- narrow constriction in mouth causes friction -> air leaves mouth noisily

c. affricates
- 1 sound that begins as a plosive & ends as a fricative
- eg: church (ch: closure released sudd & completely -> fricative: no initial closure)

d. approximants
- narrowed space but not narrow enough to create friction in airflow
central
- air flows through center of mouth
- (wwww, rrrr, yehhh)

lateral
- tongue tip touches alveolar ridge but tongue is lowered at the sides so air can flow through the sides without turbulence
- (leeeeh)

e. flap/taps
- tongue briefly taps the mouth no friction in airflow
- in US and Aus ENG
- eg: waTer

3. Voicing
   - differentiates consonants that have the same place & manner of articulation
   - feel for vibration at yr throat
   - complete closure/glottal stop: Vocal folds not vibrating = VOICELESS

Question 4

how to describe consonants?

Answer 4

voicing + place + manner!!!
in this sequence

Question 5

IPA symbols for English consonants
how to read consonant chart

Answer 5

read notes wk 2 last few pgs