Degrees of Constriction and Locations of Constriction

Overview of Lingual Consonants

  • Definition: Consonants that involve constriction at some point in the vocal tract, specifically using the tongue.

Degrees of Constriction

  • Degree of Constriction: Related to the manner of articulation, which can vary from completely open (vowels) to completely closed (stop consonants).
    • Open Sounds: Vocal tract is most open (e.g., vowels).
    • Closed Sounds: Represent the most closed sounds (e.g., stops).
    • Continuum: A continuum exists that helps distinguish vowels from other consonants (approximants, fricatives, stops) based on airflow constriction.

Locations of Constriction

  • Constriction can occur at various anatomical locations:
    • Coronal: Subtypes based on where the constriction occurs (e.g., teeth, alveolar ridge).
    • Dorsal: Relates to the tongue body against the palate.
    • Labial: Constriction involving the lips.

Tongue Bracing in Speech

  • Definition: Contact made by the tongue with oral surfaces that supports articulation.
    • Functions of Tongue Bracing:
    • Stability: Enhances precision of sound production.
    • Efficient Speech Production: Simplifies control over tongue movements.
    • Feedback: Provides somatosensory feedback for adjustments.

Types of Bracing

  • Lateral Bracing

    • Occurs when the sides of the tongue contact the inner sides of teeth or upper mouth.
    • Crucial for directing airflow along the midline of the tongue.

  • Medial Bracing

    • Involves contact along the center of the tongue at the roof of the mouth.
    • Essential for sounds that allow airflow laterally, such as lateral fricatives.

Types of Linguistic Constrictions

  • Approximant Constrictions:

    • Lingual constrictions that allow airflow without disrupting it; examples include [j] and [w].

  • Turbulent Constrictions:

    • Result from tight constriction causing air turbulence (e.g., fricatives like [s], [S]).

  • Periodic Constrictions:

    • Constrictive action that can cause a trill (e.g., tongue tip trills against the hard palate).

  • Closure Constrictions:

    • Type of articulation creating stops or plosives through complete closure (e.g., [p], [b]).
    • Taps/Flaps: Represent lighter closures with minimal contact.

Anatomical Insights

  • Anterior Constrictions:

    • Involve the flexible anterior part of the tongue allowing sounds articulated against various surfaces (palate, teeth, lips).

  • Tongue Shape Variations:

    • Different shapes yield distinct sounds, e.g., grooved for [s] or flat for [T].

  • Retroflex Constrictions:

    • Curling the tongue back to make contact against the upper teeth and alveolar ridge, a unique sound shape facilitated by the superior longitudinal muscle.

Recap

  • Understanding the various degrees and locations of constriction is crucial for analyzing sounds in phonetics.
  • Both articulatory mechanics and the role of tongue bracing greatly influence speech production and sound articulation in linguistics.