Phonetics Theory

Question 1

What does the voice in VPM mean?

Answer 1

The basic sound produced in the larynx on the airstream that we then modify further to produce different speech sounds.

Question 2

What does the place in VPM mean?

Answer 2

The place within the vocal tract in which the airstream is modified to produce speech.

Question 3

What does the means in VPM mean?

Answer 3

How the airstream is modified in the vocal tract to produce speech

Question 4

What is the vibratory cycle? x6

Answer 4

1. Speaker inhales - aretynoid cartilages draw the folds (and themselves) together
2. Egressive pulmonic airstream pushes the vocal folds apart from the bottom (acting against the force of the aretynoids (obstruction)
3. Obstruction finally gives way and the airstream momentarily moves faster than normal, causing a momentary pressure drop in the fully reopened glottis
4. Aretynoids become strong enough to enable the folds to close again
5. Elastic recoil brings the bottom edges back together and brings the folds back together to the top
6. Pressure drop means there’s also a small suction effect (Bernoulli effect)

Question 5

What is happening to the airstream during a plosive sound?

Answer 5

Airstream blocked and released suddenly to create an explosion e.g. p & b

Question 6

What are the active articulators? x5

Answer 6

Organs that we move.
Lips, tongue, glottis, epiglottis, rear wall of pharynx

Question 7

What are the passive articulators? x5

Answer 7

Organs that are fixed and stationary.
Alveolar ridge, teeth, hard palate, velum, uvula.

Question 8

What happens to the airstream during an affricate sound?

Answer 8

Airstream is briefly interrupted and then constricted to make a friction sound/
Part plosive and part fricative (not combination - start with a plosive and then gets released as a fricative - squeezed between the articulators)

Question 9

What is happening to the airstream when a nasal sound is produced?

Answer 9

Airstream is directed to come out via the nostrils (nasal cavity) and not the mouth (oral cavity).

Question 10

What are the different parts of the tongue? x8

Answer 10

1. Tip (apex): pointed
2. Blade: bulk behind the tip (alveolar and postalveolar ridge)
3. Front: tongue starts to be anchored to mouth (below hard palate)
4. Back: underneath velum, back of mouth
5. Centre: mid-way point between front and back (soft palate)
6. Root: forms front wall of pharynx, firmly anchored
7. Grooved: depressions created of various types
8. Central/median/mid-sagittal line

Question 11

What is happening to the airstream when a fricative sound is made?

Answer 11

The airstream is modified by lightly squeezing the articulators.

Question 12

What is happening to the airstream when a approximant is made?

Answer 12

The articulators come close together but aren’t touching.

Question 13

What is happening to the airstream when a lateral approximant is made?

Answer 13

The airflow escapes through the sides.

Question 14

How is speech made in regards to expiration?

Answer 14

Speech is made on expired breath by modifying the airstream within the vocal tract

Question 15

What are the main four parts of the vocal tract?

Answer 15

1. Oral cavity
2. Nasal cavity
3. Larynx
4. Pharynx

Question 16

What does POA mean? (not what it stands for)

Answer 16

When the airstream is modified within the vocal tract

Question 17

What is the phonetic POA name for sounds made at the soft palate?

Answer 17

Velar

Question 18

Explain BOR

Answer 18

Backness: tongue more to the front or back of the oral cavity?
Openess: openess of the oral cavity
Roundedness: roundedness of lips