Classification of English consonants (principles)

The Articulatory aspect of speech sounds

1. Speech mechanisms There is what we called as instruments of speech that are essential elements in speech delivery. These instruments are called as the speech mechanism and are divided into four parts namely; the Motor, the Vibrators, the Resonators and the Articulators or Modifiers.

The vibrators are the second part of the speech mechanism. When the air is compressed in the lungs, it will be then directed into the larynx passing through the trachea. The larynx also called as Adam’s apple contains a group of small cartilage that are joined together, the larynx contain the vibrating unit.

The resonator is the third part of the speech mechanism; these are group of air chambers in the head and in the throat. The resonators are responsible for amplifying the sound from the larynx and making it louder as well as modifying the sound’s quality. The principal resonators are the vestibule, the pharynx, and the nasal cavity which include the mouth and the sinuses.

Part of the speech mechanism is the articulatoror the modifier. Belong to this part are the lips, the teeth, the jaw and the palate. These components are responsible in modifying the speech’s sound. They serve as the movable boundaries of the resonators. As the speaker moves the articulators, the shape of the resonators is modified as well as the quality of the tone that is produced.

Classification of English vowels (principles)

Basic principles of classification of English vowels:

stability of pronouncing

arrangement of bulk of language in a mouth (its lobby, the central or back part)

lifting of bulk of language (high, average or low situation)

intensity of organs of articulation (degree of muscular tension of language)

longitude

Classification of English consonants (principles)

The particular quality of a consonant depends on the work of the vocal cords, the position of the soft palate and the kind of noise that results when the tongue or the lips obstruct the airflow.

Linguists distinguish two types of articulatory obstruction that are formed when pronouncing consonants: complete and incomplete.

A complete obstruction is formed when organs of speech come into contact with each other and the air-passage is blocked.

An incomplete obstruction is formed when articulating organs (articulators) are held so close to a point of articulation as to narrow, or constrict, the air-passage without blocking it.

There are all in all 24 consonants in the English language and they are usually classified according to the following four principles:

I. According to the type of obstruction and the manner of noise production.

II. According to the active organ of speech and the place of obstruction.

III. According to the work of the vocal cords and the force of articulation.

IV. According to the position of the soft palate.

Modification of English phonemes in connected speech

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