Chapter 4

Question 1

Larynx

Answer 1

it is made up of two large cartilages. These are hollow and are attached to the top of the trachea. When we breathe, air passes through the trachea and the larynx. Inside the box made by these two cartilages are the vocal folds, which are two thick flaps of muscle. At the front the vocal folds are joined together and fixed to the inside of the thyroid cartilage. At the back they are attached to a pair of small cartilages called arytenoid cartilages so that if the arytenoid cartilages move, the vocal folds move too. The arytenoid cartilages are attached to the top of the cricoid cartilage but they can move so as to move the vocal folds apart or together.

Question 2

What is the glottis?

Answer 2

it is the opening between the vocal folds. If the vocals folds are apart we say that the glottis is open; if they are pressed together we say that the glottis is closed.

Question 3

Which are the 4 easily recognisable states of the vocal folds?

Answer 3

Wide apart
Narrow glottis
Position for vocal fold vibration
Vocal folds tightly closed

Question 4

How does the subglottal air pressure vary?

Answer 4

It has 3 main differences: 1) variations in intensity; 2) variations in frequency; 3) variations in quality.

Question 5

Which are the phases in the articulation of a plosive consonantal sound?

Answer 5

1) closing phase: when the articulator/s move to form the stricture for the plosive.
2) compression phase: when the compressed air is stopped from escaping.
3) release phase: when the articulators used to form the stricture are moved so as to allow air to escape.
4) post-release phase: what happens immediately after the release phase.

Question 6

What’s the difference between fortis and lenis sounds?

Answer 6

muscular tension and the force of articulation. Fortis means “strong” and lenis means “weak.”