lesson 2: phonetics

Question 1

define “phonetics”

Answer 1

the scientific study of human speech sounds

Question 2

define “phonetic transcription”

Answer 2

a method of writing down speech sounds so as to capture how they are pronounced

Question 3

define “international phonetic alphabet”

Answer 3

a standardized set of symbols used for representing human speech sounds in one-to-one correspondence

Question 4

articulatory description for consonants involves a 3-part classification system, which comprises:

Answer 4

voicing, place, manner

Question 5

a ____ consonant vibrates the throat, while a ____ consonant does not.

Answer 5

voiced; voiceless

Question 6

bilabial consonants:

Answer 6

both lips

Question 7

labiodental consonants:

Answer 7

lower lip at upper teeth

Question 8

interdental consonants:

Answer 8

tongue tip between teeth

Question 9

alveolar consonants:

Answer 9

tongue tip at alveolar ridge

Question 10

postalveolar consonants:

Answer 10

front of tongue between alveolar ridge and hard palate

Question 11

palatal consonants:

Answer 11

tongue at or near hard palate

Question 12

velar consonants:

Answer 12

back of tongue at velum

Question 13

glottal consonants:

Answer 13

produced at larynx

Question 14

place of consonants involves:

Answer 14

where in the vocal tract the construction is made

Question 15

manner of consonants involves:

Answer 15

how the air is modified as it moves through the vocal tract

Question 16

stop consonants:

Answer 16

full obstruction in oral cavity

Question 17

fricative consonants:

Answer 17

partial obstruction with turbulent/noisy air

Question 18

affricative consonants:

Answer 18

stop followed by fricative

Question 19

nasal consonants:

Answer 19

air passes through nasal cavity with velum lowered/open

Question 20

liquid consonant:

Answer 20

construction but with no turbulence

Question 21

the [l] consonant is a ____ liquid

Answer 21

lateral

Question 22

the [r] consonant is a ____ liquid.

Answer 22

retroflex

Question 23

glide consonants:

Answer 23

slightly more constriction than vowel

Question 24

flap consonants:

Answer 24

very rapid constriction and release

Question 25

articulatory description for vowels involves a 4-part classification system, which comprises:

Answer 25

tongue height, backness of tongue, tenseness, lip rounding

Question 26

define “monophthongs”

Answer 26

single vowels

Question 27

define “diphthongs”

Answer 27

transitions of vowels within one syllable