Speech Production: Places of Articulation and Voicing

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on vocal production, articulation, and nasal/oral sounds.

voicing

The vibration of the vocal folds during sound production.

phonation

Another term for voicing; the vocal-fold vibration that produces voiced sounds.

fundamental frequency

The rate at which the vocal folds vibrate; relates to pitch (often abbreviated F0).

F0

Abbreviation for fundamental frequency.

whispering

Speaking without vocal fold vibration; no voicing.

supralaryngeal

The area above the larynx where many speech sounds are formed.

pharynx

The back-of-mouth cavity behind the tongue; part of the vocal tract.

oral cavity

The cavity inside the mouth where many speech sounds are produced.

nasal cavity

The cavity inside the nose where air resonates for nasal sounds.

articulation

The process of joining or closing together moving and stationary articulators to produce speech sounds.

passive articulators

Stationary structures involved in articulation (e.g., teeth, alveolar ridge).

active articulators

Moving parts that shape sounds (e.g., lips, tongue).

place of articulation

The location in the mouth where articulators come together or approach to form a sound.

bilabial

Sounds produced with both lips closing or nearly closing (e.g., p, b, m, w).

labiodental

Sounds produced with the lower lip and upper teeth (e.g., f, v).

interdental

American English term for sounds produced with the tongue protruding between the teeth.

dental

British English term for sounds produced with the tongue at the teeth (or against the back of the teeth).

alveolar ridge

The ridge behind the upper teeth where many sounds are articulated.

alveolar

Sounds articulated with the tongue tip or blade at the alveolar ridge (e.g., t, d, s, z, l).

post-alveolar

Sounds produced just behind the alveolar ridge (e.g., sh).

coronal

Major class of sounds produced with the front part of the tongue (tip or blade).

retroflex

A tongue position for R-like sounds where the tongue tip is curled back.

palatal

Sounds produced with the tongue against the hard palate (e.g., j as in yes).

velar

Sounds produced with the back of the tongue toward the velum (e.g., k, g, ng).

glottal

Sounds produced at the glottis, including h and the glottal stop.

velum (soft palate)

The soft palate; can raise to block nasal airflow or lower to allow it.

nasal sounds

Sounds produced with the velum lowered, allowing air to flow into the nasal cavity (e.g., m, n, ng).

bilabial nasal

Nasal sound produced with both lips (m).

alveolar nasal

Nasal sound produced with the tongue at the alveolar ridge (n).

velar nasal

Nasal sound produced with the back of the tongue toward the velum (ng).

oral sounds

Sounds produced with the velum raised, blocking nasal airflow.

lateral

L sound; air flows over the sides of the tongue.

hard palate

The bony front part of the palate; the roof of the mouth.

glottal stop

A momentary closure of the vocal folds, often heard in expressions like 'uh-oh'.