

Utterances would be unrelated to each other.

There would be no units into which utterances can be decomposed. We would have to memorise lists of utterances. Phonology: The study of the sound structure of language Important: If you have not yet either installed the phonetic font "Charis SIL" or tested this installation to determine if the phonetic characters installed properly then click here to go to the phonetic font help pages. The shape can be changed by opening or closing the velum (which opens or closes the nasal cavity connection into the oropharynx), by moving the tongue or by moving the lips or the jaw. When sound is produced at the larynx, that sound can be modified by altering the shape of the vocal tract above the larynx (supralaryngeal or supraglottal). This continuous periodic process is known as phonation and produces a "voiced" sound source.ĭifferent laryngeal adjustments affect the way that the vocal folds vibrate and can result in different voice qualities, some of which are important linguistically in some languages. and so on for as along as the vocal folds remain closed and a sufficient sub-glottal pressure can be maintained. When air pressure below closed vocal folds (sub-glottal pressure) is high enough the vocal folds are forced open, the vocal folds then spring back closed under both elastic and aerodynamic forces, pressure builds up again, the vocal folds open again. The opening between the vocal folds is known as the glottis. When the vocal folds are open breathing is permitted. The vocal folds (also known as the vocal cords) stretch across the larynx and when closed they separate the pharynx from the trachea. These cartilages variously rotate and tilt to affect changes in the vocal folds.

The main cartilages are the thyroid, cricoid and arytenoid cartilages. The larynx is a continuation of the trachea but the cartilage structures of the larynx are highly specialised.
#Phonetic symbols in word 2010 generator#
Click here to see a flow chart overview of the above processes.Ĭlick here to see a simplified diagram of the lungs' function as the energy generator in speech production. Contracting the thoracic cavity by contracting the rib cage (lowering the ribs) and by raising the diaphragm decreases lung volume, increases air pressure in the lungs and so air is expelled from the lungs to equalise pressure with the outside air. Vocal folds convert the energy into audible sound - PhonationĪrticulators transform the sound into intelligible speech - ArticulationĬlick here to see a diagram of the vocal tractĮxpanding the thoracic cavity by expanding the rib cage (raising the ribs) and by lowering the diaphragm increases lung volume, decreases air pressure in the lungs and so air is drawn in from the from the outside to equalise pressure. Lungs provide the energy source - Respiration This sound can then be made into speech by various modifications of the supralaryngeal vocal tract. Speech is achieved by compression of the lung volume causing air flow which may be made audible if set into vibration by the activity of the larynx.

RecommendedClark, Yallop & Fletcher (2007) (Chapter 6) RequiredClark, Yallop & Fletcher (2007) (pages 10-16)
