C.

The speech mechanism

Three groupings of Organs of speech

A. The Respiratory system

-consists of the lungs and bronchial tubes which lead to the throat. During speech, the lungs tkae in
air rapidly and let it out slowly.

B. The Phonatory system

-responsible for the vibration of vocal folds. The vocal folds produce voice when they vibrate very rapidly,
that is , when an airstream passes them. The function of tge larynx is called phonation. For voiceless
sounds such as [p], [f], and [s], the vocal folds and arytenoids cartilages are held wide apart as in relaxed
breathing; for voiced sounds, such as [b], [m], and [z], the vocal folds vibrate at high speed and the
arytenoids are pressed together.

C. The Articulatory System

is found in the hear and throat above the larynx. It consists of three resonating cavities: the pharyngeal
cavity (throat), oral cavity (mouth), and nasal cavity (nose). A change in the shape of these resonating
chambers, when the airstream passes through them, modifies the quality of thw sounds produced,
particularly the vowels.

3. Speech sounds are produced when air is exhaled from the lungs. Lungs provide the necessarry air and
can thus be described as the generator.

4. When one speaks, the air expelled from the lungs moves up through the trachea to the
larynx( commonly called the Adams apple) where it passes over the vocal cords or the vibrators.

5. The voice is amplified by the series of organs which act as " resonators". These are tge larynx,
pharynx , mouth and nasal passages. Good speakers use their resonators effectively.

6. Sounds produced in the earlier steps become understandable speech during the articulation stage.
The organs in the body that work as "articulators" are tge tongue, lips, teeth, and hard and soft palates.

D the SPEECH SOUNDS

Consonant - sounds are produced with a complete or partial closure of the voacal tract. Described in
therms of: 1. Place of Articulation ( where the sound is being made). 2. Manner of Articulation (how the
sound is being produced). 3. Voicing (whether or not the vocal cords are vibrating(.

Place of Articulation
A Bilabial - Sound is made with the closure of both lips such as p b and m

B. Labiodental- Sounds are produced with the closure or near closure of the lower lip and the upper
teeth. f and v

C. Dental or Interdental- the tip of the tongue is placed against or near the teeth to produce the dental
sounds

D. Alveolar- sounds such as t d n s and z are produced with the tip or the blade of the tongue touching or
brouht near the alveolar ridge.

E. Palato-Alveolar- such as sh and ch are produced with the tip or the blade of the tongue touchinh or
nearly touching the hard palate which is slightly behind the alveolar ridge. The term alveopalatal is
sometimes used for this place of articulation.

F. Palatal- involves the front of the tongue against or near the hard palate such as in the productiin of j.

G. Velar- k g n are produced with the back of the tongue against or near the velum or the soft palate.

H. Glottal- h is produced with a constriction in glottis.