CONSONANT
(PHONEMES)
Consonants sounds are those sounds which are produced
with a certain degree of obstruction to airflow. We know that there are 24
consonant sounds in English language. All the consonants of English language
are mentioned below-
The list of consonants with examples is given below-
CLASSIFICATION
OF CONSONANTS
But, twenty-four consonants can be divided on various
basis. Before we classify Consonant sounds, we must know the basis on which classification
is done. There are five things on which division of consonant depends. We can
classify consonants on the following basis-
Now, we will discuss each point in detail-1. On the basis of force of air (air stream mechanism)
2. On the basis of state of glottis
3. On the basis of position of soft palate
4. On the basis of place of articulation
5. On the basis of manner of articulation
1.
On
the basis of force of air (air stream mechanism):
The air stream is provided by the
lungs and it comes out forcefully. On the basis of force of air consonants are
divided in to two categories-
i.
Weak
consonants (/b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /z/, /dʒ/, /ʒ/, /ð/):
ii.
Strong
consonant (/p/, /f/, /t/, /s/, /k/, /θ/, /∫/, /tʃ/)
2.
On
the basis of state of glottis:
When air passes through glottis,
sounds are produced which are based on the position of the vocal cords. If
the vocal cords are apart the glottis is open then there is no vibration but
when vocal cords vibrate this produced different kinds of sounds. On that
basis sounds are divided into two categories -
i.
Voiced
(/b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /z/, /dʒ/, /ʒ/, /ð/, /l/, /r/, /j/, /w/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /h/):
Sounds which are made with vocal fold vibration are said to be voiced.
ii. Voiceless (/p/, /f/, /t/, /s/, /k/, /θ/, /∫/, /tʃ/): Sounds made without vocal fold vibration are said to be voiceless.
3.
On
the basis of position of soft palate:
when air passes from pharynx towards
outside of mouth, the position of the soft palate may close either nasal cavity
or oral cavity. On the position of soft palate sounds can be divided into two
categories-
i.
Nasal
(/m/, /n/, /ŋ/):
The sounds produced when air passes through nasal cavity are called nasal
sounds.
ii.
Oral
(all sounds other than nasal sounds): The sounds produced when
air passes through oral cavity are called oral sounds.
4. On the basis of place of articulation:
The below mentioned diagram is showing articulators (active or passive) which help us to understand the production of various phonemes (sounds).
Organs of speech: active and passive articulators |
 |
The point of articulation is determined by the passive articulators. Consonant can be divided on the basis of the place of articulation in the following categories-
i.
Bilabial
(p/, /b/, /m/, /w/): When the sounds are produced with two
lips, sounds are called bilabial.
ii.
Labio-dental
(/f/, /v/): When the sounds are produced with lower
lip (the active articulator) and upper teeth (passive articulator), sounds are
called labio-dental.
iii.
Dental
(/ð/, /θ/):
When the sounds are produced with the help of tip of the tongue (active
articulator) and upper teeth ridge (passive articulator), sounds are called
dental.
iv.
Alveolar
(/t/, /d/, /n/, /s/, /z/, /l/, ): When the sounds are
produced with the help of blade or tip of the tongue (active articulator is)
and alveolar ridge (passive articulator), sounds are called alveolar
v.
Palatal
a. Post-alveolar (r):
When the sounds are produced with the help of tip of the tongue (active
articulator) and rear part of ridge (passive articulator), sounds are called
post-alveolar.
b. Palato-alveolar (∫/, /ʒ/, /tʃ/,
/dʒ/): When the sounds are produced with the help of blade
or front of tongue (active articulator) and teeth ridge (passive articulator),
sounds are called palato-alveolar.
c. Palatal (j):
When the sounds are produced with the help of front of tongue (active articulator)
and palate (passive articulator), sounds are called palatal.
vi.
Velar
(/k/, /g/, /w/, /ŋ/):
When the sounds are produced with the help of back of tongue (active
articulator) and soft palate (passive articulator), sounds are called velar.
vii. Glottal (/h/): When the sounds are produced with the help of two vocal cords (which cause friction in sound) sounds are called glottal.
CLASSIFICATION OF CONSANANTS: A COMPREHENSIVE TABLE
5. On the basis of manner of
articulation:
The manner of
articulation means sounds are produced by the closure or narrowing the air
stream by different speech of organs. the closure may be complete or partial.
On that basis sounds are divided into following categories-
i.
Plosives
(/p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/): Plosive sounds are produced
by the complete closure of air passage by.
ii.
Fricatives
(/f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /h/, /θ/,
/ð/, /∫/,
/ʒ/): Fricatives are produced by narrowing the gap in oral
cavity and air comes out with difficulty.
iii.
Affricates
(/dʒ/, /tʃ/):
affricates are produced by the complete closure of air stream in the
mouth and then the organs are separated and air comes out with friction.
iv.
Nasal
(m/, /n/, /ŋ/):
Nasal sounds are produced by the complete closure of oral cavity by soft palate
and air passes through nasal cavity.
v.
Liquid
a. Lateral (/l/):
Laterals are produced by the partial closure in the oral cavity and air passes
from the side of the tongue.
b. Roll & flap (/r/):
Roll sounds are produced by the intermittent closure and tough touches the
teeth ridge so many times for example in ‘red’,
‘ran’ etc.
vi.
Semi
vowel/glides (/w/, /j/): Glides are produced by on
obstruction of pulmonic air and speech organs don’t contact each other.
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