Organs of speech (Eng-101)

 
Organs of speech

•     Speech organs, or articulators, produce the sounds of language. 

•       The primary function of the speech organs is biological: we do not have unique speech organs (organs developed for speech only).

•       Organs used for speech include the lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, velum (soft palate), uvula, glottis, and various parts of the tongue. 

The Lungs

•       Biological function: to exchange CO2, oxygen

•       Speech function: to supply air for speech

•       LUNGS: the source of moving air

Larynx

•       It is popularly called as Adam's apple

•       Biological function: protecting the lungs by preventing food particles and fluids from entering from the trachea (=windpipe).

•       Speech function: it produces a voice for speech sounds

•       LARYNX: the sound source

 Vocal Tract:

•       the air passages above the larynx

•       oral cavity or oral tract

•       nasal cavity or nasal tract

Glottal States

a.. VOICELESSNESS: the vocal folds are pulled apart.

    Examples: see, head, flag etc.

b. VOICING: the air vibrates the vocal folds that are brought close together.

      Examples: zip, veal, jug etc.

Lips

labial sounds

a. bilabials (the articulation involves both lips)  

    Examples: bit, pot, man

b. labiodentals (the articulation involves the lower lip and upper teeth)

    Examples:  five, van

Teeth

•       Dental sounds: the tongue is placed against or near the teeth.

•       Interdentally sounds :(the tongue is placed between the teeth): think, this

Tongue

The tongue divided into four parts

•       1. The tip

•       2. The blade

•       3. The Front

•       4. The back

 Alveolar Ridge

   Alveolar sounds (the tongue is placed near the

•       alveolar ridge or touches it):

•       see, top, life, dip, 

Jaw

•       It moves a lot of time when we speak

•       It is not an articulator

•       It making a contract with another articulator

Uvula

•       Uvular sounds (the tongue is on or near the uvula):

•       Inuit aiviq ‘walrus’

•       There are no uvular sounds in English.

•       (Uvula: the soft fleshy tip of the soft palate)

Nasal Cavity

•       The sounds produced with the nose are called nasal sounds

•       Eg. /m/ , /n/

•       Try pinch your nose