Consonant Sounds Essay

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Consonant is a speech sound which is produced by a partial or a complete obstruction of the airflow by the constriction of the speech organs ( Ladefoged and Disner , 2012:201). The production of consonants involves bringing two of the speech organs close enough together to shut off or restrict the flow of air (Bennett, 1998: 7). Consonant sounds may be voiced or voiceless which are produced with an obstruction or occlusion at some points in the vocal tract, this obstruction of airflow could be complete or partial (Al-Hamad, 2002: 75 and Erwin, 2004:5). Consonant sounds are not produced or formed only if there is an occlusion in the flow of air or when there is a close articulation of two organs of speech or when they are fully pressed together to form the consonant In order to produce any sound, this involves the raising of the diaphragm (during exhalation) which presses the lungs and makes the air push out from the lungs to the point of articulation (i.e., the place of obstruction of the sound). As a result, the sound will be produced (Al-Hamad, 2002: 59). The production of a consonant sound requires a close articulation by one or more vocal organs which causes an occlusion at this point of articulation. There are two articulators that combine in the production of a consonant : an active organ (articulator)which is a movable one that moves towards the second organ (articulator) which is a passive one (or un movable one) to form a blockage in the passage of the airstream and cause an audible friction. This blockage may be complete or partial one (Omar, 1997:132-135). Since, there is a complete blockage at some points in the vocal tract i.e. , the oral cavity , nasal articulation requires a free passage of airstream which is the

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