Phonetics and Phonology: Organs of Speech

Applied Linguistics March 20, 2023

Organs of Speech 

By Kalsoom Jahan



 The organs of speech refer to the various structures in the human body that are involved in producing speech sounds. These structures include the lips, teeth, tongue, palate, nasal cavity, and vocal cords. Each of these organs plays a critical role in shaping the sounds that makeup spoke the language.

Here is a detailed look at each of the organs of speech:

  1. Lips - The lips are the most visible part of the organs of speech. They are used to form a number of speech sounds, including bilabial consonants such as "p", "b", and "m". The lips can be pressed together tightly or held apart to produce different sounds.
  2. Teeth - Teeth play an important role in producing many consonant sounds. For example, the front teeth are used to produce the "th" sound in words like "thin" and "think". The teeth can also be used to modify the airflow to produce different sounds.
  3. Tongue - The tongue is one of the most important organs of speech. It is used to shape the voice's sound by changing the tongue's position in the mouth. For example, the tongue is used to produce the "l" sound in words like "love" and "like". The tongue can also be used to create a variety of vowel sounds.
  4. Palate - The palate is the roof of the mouth. It is divided into two parts: the hard and soft palates. The hard palate produces sounds like "k" and "g". The soft palate produces sounds like "ng" and "n". The palate can also be used to modify the airflow to create different sounds.
  5. Nasal cavity - The nasal cavity is located behind the nose. It produces nasal sounds like "m" and "n". These sounds are produced by allowing air to pass through the nose while the mouth is closed.
  6. Vocal cords - The vocal cords are located in the larynx or voice box. They are responsible for producing the sound of the voice. When air passes through the vocal cords, they vibrate, producing sound. The pitch and volume of the voice can be controlled by changing the tension and position of the vocal cords.

In summary, the organs of speech are a complex set of structures that work together to produce the sounds of spoken language. Each organ plays a unique role in shaping the sound of the voice, and a combination of these organs is used to create the diverse range of sounds that make up human speech.

Related Links


Tags:

Post a Comment

1 Comments