Acoustic theory of sound production

Source-filter theory

sound source filtered and shaped by resonant vocal tract

Sound source examples

Glottal source, supra glottal source

Filter examples

Vocal tract: Oral tract, nasal tract

Speech sound examples

Distinctive features (place,voice,manner)

Sonorants

produced with uninterrupted air (n, m, l, r, w, j)

Consonantal

Partial or complete obstruction of airflow

Continuants

-flow of air is not blocked at any point

-all speech sounds except stops and affricates

Sibilants

high frequency "hissing" sounds, air forced through narrow opening

Obstruents

Produced by some type of air obstruction/constriction

Stops

Complete vocal tract closure (pressure build up)- sudden release

Fricatives

Partial blockage of vocal tract, air forced through narrow channel

Affricates

start as stop (air builds up) releases through narrow channel (fricative)

Nasals

Velum LOWERS and airflows through nasal cavity (closure of oral cavity)

Liquids

airstream flows around sides of the tongue (tip to mid alveolar ridge)

Glides

Consonants with no stop or friction

Bilabial

Produced by using both lips

labiodental

produced using both the lower lip and the upper front teeth

Interdental

Tongue tip on/between inner surface of upper teeth

Alveolar

Tip of tongue to/near hard palate at the roof of mouth

Palatal

front part of tongue to/near hard palate at the roof of the mouth

Velar

back of tongue to/near velum/soft palate

Glottal

produced by air passing from windpipe through the vocal cords

Sound sources (glottal/supraglottal source)

Sonorants, consonantal, continuants, sibilants, stridents, obstruents

Speech sounds (distinctive features)

Stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, liquids, glides

Filter (Vocal tract: oral/nasal tract)

Bilabial, labiodental, interdental, alveolar, palatal, velar, glottal