Articulatory phonetics

Articulatory Phonetics

Phonological anatomy diagram

Articulatory phonetics is a branch of phonetics concerned with how humans produce speech sounds via the interaction of different physiological structures. It is one of the three main branches of phonetics, alongside acoustic phonetics and auditory phonetics.

Overview

Articulatory phonetics studies the physical processes involved in the production of speech sounds. It examines the role of the vocal tract, including the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, and nasal cavity, in shaping the sounds of speech. The field also explores how different parts of the mouth, such as the tongue, lips, and teeth, contribute to the articulation of sounds.

The Vocal Tract

The vocal tract is a complex system that includes several key anatomical structures:

• Larynx: The larynx, or voice box, houses the vocal cords and is crucial for phonation. It is located at the top of the trachea.

• Pharynx: The pharynx is a muscular tube that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx and esophagus. It plays a significant role in modifying the sound produced by the vocal cords.

Diagram showing the parts of the pharynx

• Oral Cavity: The oral cavity includes the mouth and is bounded by the lips, teeth, and palate. It is the primary resonating chamber for speech sounds.

• Nasal Cavity: The nasal cavity is involved in the production of nasal sounds, such as [m], [n], and [ŋ].

Places of Articulation

Places of articulation

The place of articulation refers to the location within the vocal tract where the airflow is constricted to produce different speech sounds. Common places of articulation include:

• Bilabial: Sounds produced with both lips, such as [p] and [b].
• Labiodental: Sounds produced with the lower lip against the upper teeth, such as [f] and [v].
• Dental: Sounds produced with the tongue against the teeth, such as [θ] and [ð].
• Alveolar: Sounds produced with the tongue against the alveolar ridge, such as [t] and [d].
• Palatal: Sounds produced with the tongue against the hard palate, such as [ʃ] and [ʒ].
• Velar: Sounds produced with the tongue against the soft palate, such as [k] and [g].
• Glottal: Sounds produced at the glottis, such as [h].

Manner of Articulation

The manner of articulation describes how the airflow is manipulated to produce different types of sounds. Key manners of articulation include:

• Plosive: Complete closure of the vocal tract followed by a release, as in [p] and [b].
• Fricative: Partial closure of the vocal tract, creating turbulent airflow, as in [f] and [s].
• Affricate: A combination of a plosive and a fricative, as in [tʃ] and [dʒ].
• Nasal: Airflow is directed through the nose, as in [m] and [n].
• Approximant: A narrowing of the vocal tract without turbulent airflow, as in [l] and [r].

Speech Production Process

Speech production involves a complex coordination of the respiratory system, the laryngeal system, and the articulatory system. The process begins with the generation of airflow from the lungs, which is modulated by the vocal cords in the larynx to produce voiced or voiceless sounds. The articulators then shape these sounds into distinct speech sounds.

External view of the larynx

Real-time Imaging

Advancements in imaging technology, such as real-time MRI, have allowed researchers to observe the dynamic processes of speech production. These technologies provide insights into the rapid movements of the articulators during speech.

File:Real-time MRI - Speaking (English).ogv

Related Pages

• Phonetics
• Acoustic phonetics
• Auditory phonetics
• Phonology