Phonetics and Phonology

Phonetics and Phonology

1. Phonetics is the study the way sounds are produced when we speak and all the things that are part of creating sound; Phonology, Phonology determines the functioning of sounds, looks and tries to establish a system of sound distinctions for a language.

   • pulmonic egressive air stream mechanism
     • This mechanism of speech sounds has to do with the lungs that is egressive because the fact that it is coming out. It is called mechanism because it is a process of air stream release that works together to form sounds.
   • The glottalic airstream mechanism is initiated at the laryngeal cavity and is usually used to produce implosives and ejectives.
   • The velaric airstream mechanism is initiated at the tongue and is usually the source of the production of clicks.
   • The Speech Chain
     • are the different stages involved in the process of speech production from the initiation to the point of generate the sound of speak.
       • From the lungs first of all comes up through the trachea, it then passes through the larynx. The larynx is a casing, formed of cartilage and muscles.
   • Ways of sound production: the Three States of the Glottis
     • Closed glottis. is when the folds are brought close together so that no air is allowed to pass between them, its mean, that there are pronunciation or ways of speech without air, a little stop of breath while the words are pronounced.
       • GIottis when the folds are wide open to allow the air stream to pass between them, its mean, that there are pronunciation or ways of speech without stop of breath while the words are pronounced.
         • The third state of the glottis is that of the narrow glottis or vocal folds loosely held together.
   • Ways of sound production: The Resonating Cavities
     • The shape assumed by the pharynx, the velum (soft palate) and the mouth have great implications for sound production.
       • The velum or soft palate may be lowered to allow the air escape through the nose and the mouth.
         • The soft palate may be lowered so that the air passes through the nose, but with a complete obstruction at some point in the mouth.
           • The soft palate may be raised, thus blocking the air stream from escaping through the nasal cavity.
   • The Mouth
     • The mouth usually finally determines the quality of our speech sounds despite the fact that all the other speech organs play important roles in speech production.
       • The lips, the various parts of the tongue and the soft palate, with the uvula hanging from it. The lower jaw, among others.