The English Consonants

The Consonants Sounds

Consonant sounds are made by a closure or
narrowing in the vocal tract so that the
air flows either completely blocked or so restricted
that audible friction is created. It is produced when
there is an attempt to block the speech tract by
means of any of the speech organs, such as the lips,
tounge, teeth, and velum. Unlike the vowels, which
are always voiced except when they are whispered,
consonants are either voiced like in them and in
thanks

4. Nasals The manner of articulation of nasal

sounds is produced by lowering the velum and
following the airstream to flow out through the nose to
produce nasal sounds.
Examples: Men & No
5. Glides These are characterized by the stopping
of the air stream at the glottis itself. This results in a
painting noise or choking sounds.
Examples: Wall & War
6. Laterals These are characteristics by the
passage of the air stream by the sides of the tongue.
Examples: Late & Live

Sound characteristics

Voiced the vocal chords vibrate during

production

Voiceless - the vocal chords do not vibrate

during production

Aspirated the air is blocked and is released

with a puff of air

Place of articulation
It is the part or the position of the speech organs that
alters the air that comes out of the breath passage.
1

Bilabial the sound is produced through the

upper and lower lips.

Labio-Dental the sound is produced

through the lower lip and the upper front
teeth.

3. Lingua-Alveolar the sound is produced

with the tip of the tongue touching the
alveolar ridge.

4. Lingua-Palatal the sound is produced

with the blade of the tongue raised against
the hard palate.

5. Lingua-Velar the sound is produced

with the back of the tongue raised against or
to touching the soft palate.

6. Glottal the sound is produced by closing

the glottis or the opening of the vocal cords.

Manner of articulation
Also known as the Nature of Obstruction, this refers to
the way the air is expelled as it flows out of the breath
passage in order to produce the consonants sounds.
1. Stops or Plosives The manner of articulation of
stop or plosive sounds is produced by complete
stopping of the airstream and let it go abruptly.
Example: Paper, Baby, Stopped
2. Fricatives The manner of articulation of stop or
plosive sounds is produced by almost blocking the
airstream and pushing the air through a narrow
opening.
Examples: Fast, Vivid, Street
3. Afficates The manner of articulation of afficate
sounds is produced by a brief stopping followed by an
obstructed release which results is some friction.