Description of Speech Sound - Consonants

 

Description of Speech Sound

Consonants 

Consonants are speech sounds that are produced by partially or completely blocking the airflow from our lungs as we speak. When we create consonant sounds, we use our lips, tongue, teeth, and other parts of our mouth to shape the sounds in specific ways.

There are several types of consonant sounds, and each type is made differently. Here are the main categories of consonants:

 

Stops: When we make stop consonants, we momentarily block the airflow completely in our mouth and then release it. Think of it like a brief pause in the sound. For example, the sound of "b" is made by closing your lips together and then releasing them quickly to let out the sound. Similarly, for the sound "p," you use your lips to create a blockage and then release it.

 

Fricatives: Fricatives are sounds that happen when the airflow is partially blocked, causing a bit of friction or a hissing sound. To make the "f" sound, you gently place your upper teeth on your lower lip, allowing a small gap for the air to flow through, creating the fricative sound. "S" is another example; you create a narrow passage between your tongue and the roof of your mouth to let out the hissing sound.

 

Affricates: Affricates are a combination of a stop sound followed by a fricative sound. The most common example is the "ch" sound, like in the word "cheese." To produce this sound, you start with a "t" sound (a stop) and quickly transition into a "sh" sound (a fricative).

 

Nasals: Nasal consonants occur when the airflow is directed through the nose instead of the mouth. For example, when you say the letter "m," you close your lips, and the air flows out through your nose. Similarly, the letter "n" and the "ng" sound in "song" are also nasal consonants.

 

Liquids: Liquids are smooth, flowing consonant sounds. The two main liquids are "l" and "r." For the "l" sound, you touch the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, allowing air to flow around the sides of your tongue. For the "r" sound, you slightly curl your tongue at the back while keeping the front part relaxed.

 

Glides: Glides are quick, sliding sounds that are similar to vowels in some ways. The two common glide sounds are "w" and "y." For "w," you round your lips while allowing the air to flow freely, and for "y," your tongue is in a high front position in your mouth.

 

Consonants work together with vowels to form syllables, and these syllables combine to create words. The specific way we use our mouth to make consonant sounds gives each language its unique sounds and accents. Understanding consonants helps us communicate and speak clearly with others in our daily conversations. So, the next time you speak, pay attention to the different consonant sounds your mouth is making!