Phonetics Exam 3

Question 1

3 stages of a plosive

Answer 1

1) shutting phase: articulators come together
2) closure phase: 50-60 ms; closure is maintained
3) release: articulators move apart & air pops out

Question 2

Nasal release of plosives

Answer 2

The velum is lowered at the end of the closure phase and the articulators stay together, so that the pressurized air escapes nasally. Example: [sʌbməˈɹɪn], [ˈbʌtn]

Question 3

Nasal approach of plosives

Answer 3

A nasal stop is produced, but the articulators are kept together as the velum is raised. Air stops behind the oral stricture and is built up so that it pops out once the articulators are released. Example: [ˈʌndɚ], [hænd]

Question 4

Lateral release of plosives

Answer 4

Air escape is directed laterally down the side(s) of the tongue during release. In English, only [tl] and [dl] are used: [ˈbædli], [ˈlɪtl], [ˈmɪdl]

Question 5

Incomplete stops: overlap

Answer 5

When a plosive follows another plosive and the shutting phase for the second plosive overlaps the release of the first, so that only the second has audible release. Example: /æpt/, /æktɚ/

Question 6

Incomplete stops: no audible release

Answer 6

The articulatory stricture is not immediately released, and the compressed air is slowly released through the nasal cavity as part of normal breathing. Happens most often at the end of words. Example: /stɑp/

Question 7

Affrication of plosives

Answer 7

Articulators only part a short way at release, leaving a narrow channel for the plosion to escape through and causing friction. Place of articulation of friction and plosive have to agree. Ex: [t^s], [k^x]

Question 8

Aspiration of plosives

Answer 8

After a voiceless stop (/p, t, k/), if voicing starts after a brief pause, then we hear a brief puff of voiceless air before voicing starts. Voiceless stops are always unaspirated after /s/. Ex: peak vs. speak

Question 9

Fortis vs. Lenis

Answer 9

Fortis: voiceless sounds; produced with a lot of muscular effort, large airflow, & longer duration
Lenis: voiced sounds; less effort, airflow, & duration

Question 10

Fortis vs. Lenis & preceding vowels

Answer 10

Vowels preceding fortis consonants are shorter; vowels preceding lenis consonants are longer. Fortis consonants are longer so the vowel is shorter to compensate. Ex: see vs. seed vs. seat

Question 11

Affricate

Answer 11

Any plosive whose release stage is made in a way to produce friction is an affricate. Plosive & fricative portions are equal.

Question 12

Consonant voicing & word position

Answer 12

Voiced consonants are fully voiced between two vowels (‘ready’, ‘heavy’), but only partially voiced (devoiced) when word initial (‘dish’, ‘veal’) or final (‘red’, ‘give’).

Question 13

Sonorants

Answer 13

Produced with a relatively open vocal tract. Includes nasals, approximants, & vowels (all of which are voiced).

Question 14

Obstruents

Answer 14

Sounds with a complete or narrow constriction at some point in the vocal tract. Includes stops, fricatives, and affricates (which can be voiced or voiceless).

Question 15

Continuant sounds

Answer 15

Prolongable. Includes fricatives, nasals & approximants.

Question 16

Non-continuant sounds

Answer 16

Not prolongable. Includes semivowels, stops, and affricates.