Block, SkipCaptcha, apieditor, Automoderated users, Bots, edit, ratelimit-exempt
59,161
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 15:
Line 15: − + Line 26:
Line 26: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
clean up & uniformity
A consonant may be produced by fully closing off the passage of air, known as a ''stop'' or ''plosive''. For example, the -PP- in ''apple''. Alternatively, the passage may be partially closed and air forced through it, and the resulting consonant is described as a ''fricative'', such as the V in ''even''.
A consonant may be produced by fully closing off the passage of air, known as a ''stop'' or ''plosive''. For example, the -PP- in ''apple''. Alternatively, the passage may be partially closed and air forced through it, and the resulting consonant is described as a ''fricative'', such as the V in ''even''.
Within the group known as ''fricatives'', some further groups are defined. Consonants such as S or Z are known as ''spirants''. Consonants in which the air flow changes direction are known as ''continuants'': N and M redirect the air flow to the nose, and are said to be ''nasal continuants'', while L redirects the air stream sideways in the mouth and is called a ''lateral continuant''.
Within the group known as ''fricatives'', some further groups are defined. Consonants such as S or Z are known as ''spirants''. Consonants in which the air flow changes direction are known as ''continuants'' or ''approximants'', depending on the nature of the change of air flow.
Compound consonants, such as the DG in ''edge'', combine a stop with a fricative. These are known as ''affricates''.
Compound consonants, such as the DG in ''edge'', combine a stop with a fricative. These are known as ''affricates''.
You can feel the difference if you place your fingers on your larynx (the Adam's apple) and slowly pronounce the words ''thin'' and ''then''. You will notice that the larynx vibrates for the TH in ''then'', but not in ''thin''. Linguists would describe the TH in ''thin'' as being a ''voiceless interdental fricative'', and the TH of ''then'' as being a ''voiced interdental fricative''.
You can feel the difference if you place your fingers on your larynx (the Adam's apple) and slowly pronounce the words ''thin'' and ''then''. You will notice that the larynx vibrates for the TH in ''then'', but not in ''thin''. Linguists would describe the TH in ''thin'' as being a ''voiceless interdental fricative'', and the TH of ''then'' as being a ''voiced interdental fricative''.
== Technical descriptions of English Consonants ==
'''B''' - ''Voiced bilabial stop''. Example: "bid".
'''C''' - ''Voiceless velar stop'', as in "calm". Or ''voiceless alveolar fricative'', as in "centre".
'''D''' - ''Voiced alveolar stop''. Example: "date".
'''F''' - ''Voiceless labiodental fricative''. Example: "fine".
'''G''' - ''Voiced velar stop'', as in "good". Or ''Voiced palato-alveolar affricate'', as in "Germany".
'''H''' - ''Voiceless glottal fricative''. Example: "have".
'''J''' - ''Voiced palato-alveolar affricate'', as in "James".
'''K''' - ''Voiceless velar stop''. Example: "kiss".
'''L''' - ''Voiced alveolar lateral approximant''. Example: "learn".
'''M''' - ''Voiced bilabial nasal''. Example: "man".
'''N''' - ''Voiced alveolar nasal''. Example: "next".
'''P''' - ''Voiceless bilabial stop''. Example: "paper".
'''Q''' - Usually occurs as a combination of '''K''' and '''W'''.
'''R''' - ''Voiced alveolar continuant''. Example: "red".
'''S''' - ''Voiceless alveolar fricative''. Example: "song".
'''T''' - ''Voiceless alveolar stop''. Example: "team".
'''V''' - ''Voiced labiodental fricative''. Example: "very".
'''W''' - Known as a semivowel, because of its similarity to the "oo" vowel.
'''X''' - A combination of '''K''' and '''S'''.
'''Y''' - Known as a semivowel, because of its similarity to the "ee" vowel.
'''Z''' - ''Voiced alveolar fricative''. Example: "zebra".
[[Category:Linguistics]]
[[Category:Linguistics]]