Phonetics Questions

Question 1

What is phonetics?

Answer 1

Phonetics is the study of the articulation and perception of speech sounds.

Question 2

Why do we use IPA instead of conventional spelling for phonetic transcription?

Answer 2

Since languages are symbolic structures, there is no direct correspondence between spelling and how it is pronounced. A letter may be able to make many different sounds, or may not use letters at all.

Question 3

Describe the properties of the sound-producing system.

Answer 3

Speech begins with a power supply (main source - lungs), air travels through the larynx (second source) which contains the vocal folds. Depending on the state of the vocal folds, the sound may be voiced, voiceless, whispered or murmured. Air travels through the pharynx (first filter) and out the the oral (second filter) or nasal (third filter) cavity.

Question 4

What is the difference between voiced and voiceless sounds?

Answer 4

When the vocal folds are pulled apart and relaxed, they create a voiceless sound. When they are brought together to make a constriction, air passing through causes them to vibrate which makes a voiced sound.

Question 5

How are nasal sounds created?

Answer 5

The velum is lowered to allow air to pass through the nose.

Question 6

What are the three major sound classes?

Answer 6

Consonants, Vowels, and Glides

Question 7

What are the places or articulation for consonant sounds?

Answer 7

Labial, bilabial, labiodental, dental, alveolar ridge, alveopalatal, palatal, velar, uvular, pharyngeal, glottal.

Question 8

What are the manners of articulation for consonant sonnds?

Answer 8

Oral vs Nasal, Stops, Fricatives, Affricates, Aspiration, Liquids, Glides

Question 9

What are the four parameters used to describe vowel sounds?

Answer 9

Height - position of tongue in the mouth (high, mid, low)
Backness - position of tongue in mouth (front or back)
Tenseness - amount of constriction in the vocal tract (tense, lax)
Roundness - state of lips (rounded, unrounded)

Question 10

What are suprasegmentals?

Answer 10

Inherent properties that are part of all sounds regardless of their place or manner of articulation.

Question 11

What are the five main categories of suprasegmentals?

Answer 11

Stress, Rhythm, Intonation, Tone, Length