Phonetics

Things to be studied
Definitions of
Phonetics
Phonetics is a scientific description of what speech sounds exist in a language. It represents how they
are produced and perceived and what acoustic properties they have. Thus, it can be put in the class of
natural sciences. Phonetics essentially seeks to trace the processes physiologically involved in sound
production. It describes the ways the sounds are produced and the points at which they are articulated.

(Introductory Phonetics and Phonology of English ;Chapter 1; Section 1.1.1 )

Articulatory phonetics- Study of how speech sounds are produced by human vocal
apparatus
Areas of study under articulatory phonetics

Anatomy of vocal organs

Air stream Mechanism
Voicing
Articulation

Phonology: Phonology is concerned with the regularities that govern the phonetic
realisations of sounds in words of a language. It looks at and tries to establish a system of
sound distinctions relevant to a particular language. It then seeks to determine how the
elements of this abstract system behave in actual speech. Phonology actually delineates the
functioning of sounds in particular contexts. (Introductory Phonetics and Phonology of

English Chapter 1; Section 1.1.2)

Difference between phonetics and phonology (Ibid 1.1.3)
[Gist of difference between phonetics and phonology - phonetics deals with the
science behind the production of sounds by our physical organs ; i.e. where does the
air stream come out of to produce the sound e.g. in the production of the sound t,
the air stream emerges out of the lungs
Phonology deals with how the sound behaves in actual speech i.e. how is the sound
t behaving differently depending on where it is placed in a word]

Quotation from Introductory Phonetics and Phonology of English:

However, the environment in which this sound occurs in the course
of its production will influence the phonological description. These
environments are usually sounds, other sounds, that is, or the position of
the sound in relation to other sounds.
Thus, phonologically, /t/ can be realised with aspiration in the initial
position of a stressed syllable; that is, when /t/ comes before other sounds
in a stressed syllable. It can be realised as being lateralised when
immediately followed by the lateral /l/. It can also become nasalised if its
closest succeeding neighbour is a nasal, especially the alveolar nasal /n/,
which is actually a homorganic sound (Chapter 1 Sec 1.1.3)

Most speech sounds are produced by pushing air through the vocal cords
Glottis = the opening between the vocal cords
Larynx = voice box
Pharynx = tubular part of the throat above the larynx
Oral cavity = mouth
Nasal cavity = nose and the passages connecting it to the throat
and sinuses
Syllable: a segment of speech that consists of a vowel, with or without one or more
accompanying consonant sounds immediately preceding or followingfor example, a, I, out, too,
cap, snap, check. (Syllable Encyclopaedia Britannica