SOME BASIC TERMINOLOGY IN PHONETICS

SOME BASIC TERMINOLOGY IN PHONETICS

1. AIR MECHANISM: Where does the air originate? The lungs, the larynx, or the mouth?
In what direction does the air move? Is it pushed out through the mouth or nose
(egressive), or is it sucked in (ingressive)?

2. VOICING: Air coming up from the lungs can be made to cause the vocal folds in the
larynx to vibrate. If they vibrate, a “voiced” sound is produced. If not, “voiceless” sounds
occur. If you’re wondering if a sound is voiced or not, put your fingers on your LH’s
throat (if allowed). If you can feel it vibrating it is voiced.

3. STOPS: Stops occur when the airstream’s flow is completely impeded momentarily at
some point in the mouth or throat.

4. ASPIRATION: A puff of air immediately following the release of a stop.

5. FRICATIVES: Fricatives occur when the airstream’s flow is greatly impeded (but not
completely) on its way through a restricted passage in the mouth or throat.

6. AFFRICATES: An affricate is a stop that is released into a fricative.

7. NASALS: Nasal sounds occur when the airstream passes through the nasal cavity.

8. LATERALS: Laterals occur when the center of the tongue makes closure against the
roof of the mouth and the air flow passes around the sides of the tongue.