IPA Positions

Question 1

Bilabial

Answer 1

Made with the lips

Question 2

Labiodental

Answer 2

Made with the bottom lip and the top teeth

Question 3

Dental

Answer 3

Made with the tip of the tongue and the top teeth

Question 4

Alveolar

Answer 4

Made with the tip of the tongue and the area just behind the top teeth

Question 5

Post-Alveolar

Answer 5

Made with the tip of the tongue and the are just behind where the “alveolar” consonats are pronounced

Question 6

Retroflex

Answer 6

Made with the tip of the tongue curved backward behind the alveolar ridge.

Question 7

Palatal

Answer 7

Made with the tongue and the palate

Question 8

Velar

Answer 8

Made with the back of the tongue and the velum (the back of the mouth).

Question 9

Uvular

Answer 9

Made with the back of the tongue and the uvula.

Question 10

Pharyngeal

Answer 10

Made with the “root” (far back) of the tongue and the pharynx.

Question 11

Glottal

Answer 11

Made with the glottis (see definition in the glossary). In essence glottal consonants are made with the throat.

Question 12

Plosive

Answer 12

Part of the vocal tract or mouth is closed, then air is released with a sharp burst

Question 13

Nasal

Answer 13

Made with the back of the mouth closing up so that air passes through the nasal cavity

Question 14

Trill

Answer 14

Made with part of the vocal tract or mouth fluttering rapidly.

Question 15

Tap or Flap

Answer 15

Basically like it sounds. The consonant is made with the tongue quickly “tapping” some part of the mouth.

Question 16

Fricative

Answer 16

Made by closing some part of the mouth or vocal tract and pushing air through a small opening.

Question 17

Lateral Fricative

Answer 17

Made with the tip of the tongue placed against the top teeth, and creating a fricative consonant using the sides of the mouth.

Question 18

Lateral Approximant

Answer 18

Made with the tip of the tongue placed against the top teeth, and air coming out the small space between the sides of the tongue and the top of the mouth.