Notes on Consonants: Phonemes, Stops, Fricatives, and More

Introduction to Consonants

Discussing the categorization of consonants based on three features:

• Place

• Manner

• Voicing
  Focus on "manner" to review categories of consonants.

Stops (Plosives)

Defined as consonants produced with a stoppage of airflow in the vocal tract.

• Features of Stops:

  • Temporary stoppage of air leads to a burst.

  • Name illustrates function: "plosive" coupled with "explosive" suggests an explosion of air.

  • Stops produce the shortest consonants in duration.

Types of Stops

• Bilabial Stops

  • Requires closure at the lips

  • Sounds include: /p/ (voiceless), /b/ (voiced)

• Alveolar Stops

  • Produced with the tongue against the alveolar ridge

  • Sounds include: /t/ (voiceless), /d/ (voiced)

• Velar Stops

  • Created by raising the back of the tongue to the velum

  • Sounds include: /k/ (voiceless), /g/ (voiced)

• Glottal Stop

  • Produced at the glottis (vocal cords)

  • Present in words such as "button" and "kitten."

  • Symbol: /ʔ/

Nasals

Nasals allow airflow through the nasal cavity during sound production.

• Features of Nasals:

  • Noted for resonation through the nose.

  • Examples of Nasals:

  • Sounds include: /m/ (bilabial, voiced), /n/ (alveolar, voiced), /ŋ/ (velar, voiced).

Fricatives

Defined as sounds produced when the articulators become close, causing turbulence.

• Example Explanation:

  • Blowing air through an inflated pool float with a small leak creates sound due to the friction of air passing through a constriction.

Types of Fricatives

• Labiodental Fricatives

  • Articulated with the bottom lip against the upper teeth.

  • Sounds include: /f/ (voiceless), /v/ (voiced)

• Interdental Fricatives

  • Produced with the tongue between the teeth.

  • Sounds include: /θ/ (voiceless as in "think") and /ð/ (voiced as in "the")

• Alveolar Fricatives

  • Produced when the tongue contacts the alveolar ridge.

  • Sounds include: /s/ (voiceless) and /z/ (voiced)

• Palatal Fricatives

  • Produced when the tongue approaches the hard palate.

Affricates

Combination of stops and fricatives (e.g., /tʃ/, /dʒ/).

Liquids and Glides

Liquids are approximants with less constriction than obstruents and can be distinguished by:

• Place:

  • Lateral Liquid: /l/ (produced with the tongue against the alveolar ridge)

  • Rhotic Liquid: /r/ (produced with the tongue in various positions, capable of both alveolar and retroflex)

• Manner:

  • Both liquids allow airflow around the sides (for /l/) or through the tongue (for /r/).

• Voicing:

  • Both /l/ and /r/ are voiced consonants.