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"THE VOCAL TRACT" The system of organs that helps produce…
"THE VOCAL TRACT"
The system of organs that helps produce speech sounds.
AIR SUPPLY
Lungs
Funtion: Provide the airflow and pressure needed for speech production.
Example: Most English speech sounds use air from the lungs.
Trachea
Function: Carries air from the lungs to the larynx.
PHONATION
Larynx
Function: The larynx is the voice box. It contains the vocal folds and controls voicing.
Example: Vowels are normally voiced.
Vocal Folds
Function: Vibrate when air passes through them to produce voiced sounds.
Voiced sounds: /b/, /d/, /g/, /z/
Voiceless sounds: /p/, /t/, /k/, /s/
Key idea:Vibration → voiced soundNo vibration → voiceless sound
RESONANCE
Pharynx
Function: Acts as part of the resonating space for speech sounds.
Example: It contributes to the quality of vowel sounds.
Oral Cavity
Function: Provides the main space where many speech sounds are shaped.
Examples: /p/, /t/, /s/, /iː/
Nasal
Cavity
Function: Allows air to pass through the nose and acts as a resonating chamber for nasal sounds.
Examples:
/m/ as in moon
/n/ as in nose
/ŋ/ as in sing
VELUM / SOFT PALATE
Controls whether air passes through the mouth or the nose.
Raised velum
→ oral sounds
Example: /p/, /t/, /k/
Lowered velum
→ nasal sounds
Example: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/
ARTICULATORS
Tongue
Function: Changes position to shape and modify speech sounds.
Examples:
/t/ – tea
/k/ – key
/iː/ – see
Lips
Function: Open, close, spread, or round to produce different sounds.
Examples:
/p/ – pen
/m/ – man
/uː/ – food
Jaw
Function: Helps control the opening of the mouth and contributes to vowel production.
Example: Different jaw positions help produce different vowel qualities.
PLACES OF ARTICULATION
Teeth
Function: Provide a surface for articulation.
Examples:
/θ/ – think
/ð/ – this
Alveolar Ridge
Provides an important place of articulation behind the upper front teeth.
Examples:
/t/ – tea
/d/ – day
/n/ – no
/s/ – *see/
/z/ – zoo
Hard Palate
Function: Provides a hard surface toward which the tongue can move.
Example:
/j/ – yes
INTERACTIVE RESOURCES
🌐 Website
VocalTractLabExplore how the vocal tract moves during speech production.
🔗
https://vocaltractlab.de/
▶️ Video
PBS – Phonetics 1: ConsonantsLearn how the vocal folds and articulators contribute to consonant production.
🔗
https://www.pbs.org/video/phonetics-1-consonants-ernmio/
🎧 Podcast / Audio
Pronuncian – What Is the Vocal Tract?Listen to an explanation of the vocal tract and its role in pronunciation.
🔗
https://pronuncian.com/podcasts/episode165