Lecture 4 (Phonetics) 2025 Flashcards
What is phonetics?
The scientific study of speech sounds.
Name the three types of phonetics.
- Acoustic
- Auditory
- Articulatory
What is the role of linguistic knowledge in understanding speech sounds?
It allows us to segment individual speech sounds and make meaning of them.
What does the IPA stand for?
International Phonetic Alphabet.
Why was the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) created?
To represent one sound with one symbol across all languages.
In phonetics, what do the terms consonant and vowel refer to?
The sounds, not the letters.
How are IPA symbols formatted?
They are always written in square brackets [ ].
What are the two classes of sounds in languages according to phonetics?
- Consonants
- Vowels
What is the place of articulation?
The location in the vocal tract where airflow restriction occurs.
What is a plosive (stop)?
A sound produced with simultaneous oral and nasal closure.
Give an example of a bilabial consonant.
[p] as in pin, [b] as in boy, [m] as in mat.
What is the function of the larynx?
It contains the vocal folds and allows air from the lungs to pass through them.
Which part of the vocal tract is above the larynx?
Pharynx.
What are the major places of articulation?
- Bilabial
- Labiodental
- Interdental
- Alveolar
- Palatal
- Velar
- Uvular
- Glottal
What does voicing refer to in phonetics?
The activity of the vocal folds.
What is the distinction between voiced and voiceless sounds?
Voiced sounds occur when vocal folds vibrate; voiceless sounds occur when they do not.
Fill in the blank: Consonants are sounds produced with some restriction or closure in the _______.
vocal tract.
Name the types of articulation for alveolar consonants.
- [t]
- [d]
- [n]
- [s]
- [z]
- [l]
- [r]
What are palatal consonants?
Sounds articulated when the front part of the tongue is raised to the palate.
How are velar consonants produced?
By raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate (velum).
What characterizes glottal sounds?
Produced when air passes through an open glottis or when a glottal stop occurs.
What distinguishes manner of articulation?
The way the airstream is affected as it flows from the lungs and out of the mouth and nose.
Provide examples of voiced and voiceless pairs.
- fine/vine
- seal/zeal
- choke/joke
