Consonant Definition
Consonants
The definition or classification of consonants is based on three parameters: manner, place and energy of articulation.
Manner of articulation
Complete closure, incl. velic closure (raised velum)
→ stops /p t tʃ k b d dʒ g/ (+ nasals /m n ŋ/)
→ trills and taps (dental/alveolar [ɾ], [r], uvular [R])
Close approximation, producing friction
→ fricatives /f θ s ʃ h v ð z ʒ/
→ [x ʍ] Scottish English
Open approximation (no/weak obstruction of air-flow)
→ approximants /w j r l/
Important “sub-categories” / alternative categorisations:
Oral closure with free nasal passage
→ nasals ( or nasal “stops”) /m n ŋ/
Open approximation with free airflow along side(s) of tongue
→ lateral (approximant) /l/
Approximants and nasals are called sonorants (voice + free air-flow → sonority). The other major sub-group of consonants is called obstruents.
Places of articulation
Place
Phonemes
bilabial
/p b m w/*
Articulators lips labio-dental
/f v/
lower lip against upper front teeth
dental
/θ ð/
tongue tip against upper front teeth
Alveolar / post-alveolar (/r/)
/t d s z n l r/
tongue tip and blade against/towards the alveolar ridge
palato-alveolar
/tʃ dʒ ʃ ʒ/
palatal
/j/
velar
/k g ŋ w/*
tip/blade and front of tongue against alveolar ridge and front of hard palate front of tongue towards hard palate back of tongue against/towards soft palate (velum)
glottal
/h/ (+ [Ɂ])
vocal folds
* Note that /w/ has two places of articulation – the lips and back of the tongue, so the sound is sometimes labelled ‘labial-velar’ (e.g. in PPP).
Energy of articulation – fortis/lenis (strong – weak)
NB! Only applies to obstruents (stops and fricatives)
Fortis/strong
/p t tʃ k f θ s ʃ (h)/
● have more forceful articulation (often longer, more noise)
● are always voiceless (no vocal fold vibrations)
● plosives /p t k/ are aspirated in stressed initial position
● have a shortening effect on preceding vowel or sonorant
● final stops often pre-glottalised
Lenis/weak
/b d dʒ g v
The definition or classification of consonants is based on three parameters: manner, place and energy of articulation.
Manner of articulation
Complete closure, incl. velic closure (raised velum)
→ stops /p t tʃ k b d dʒ g/ (+ nasals /m n ŋ/)
→ trills and taps (dental/alveolar [ɾ], [r], uvular [R])
Close approximation, producing friction
→ fricatives /f θ s ʃ h v ð z ʒ/
→ [x ʍ] Scottish English
Open approximation (no/weak obstruction of air-flow)
→ approximants /w j r l/
Important “sub-categories” / alternative categorisations:
Oral closure with free nasal passage
→ nasals ( or nasal “stops”) /m n ŋ/
Open approximation with free airflow along side(s) of tongue
→ lateral (approximant) /l/
Approximants and nasals are called sonorants (voice + free air-flow → sonority). The other major sub-group of consonants is called obstruents.
Places of articulation
Place
Phonemes
bilabial
/p b m w/*
Articulators lips labio-dental
/f v/
lower lip against upper front teeth
dental
/θ ð/
tongue tip against upper front teeth
Alveolar / post-alveolar (/r/)
/t d s z n l r/
tongue tip and blade against/towards the alveolar ridge
palato-alveolar
/tʃ dʒ ʃ ʒ/
palatal
/j/
velar
/k g ŋ w/*
tip/blade and front of tongue against alveolar ridge and front of hard palate front of tongue towards hard palate back of tongue against/towards soft palate (velum)
glottal
/h/ (+ [Ɂ])
vocal folds
* Note that /w/ has two places of articulation – the lips and back of the tongue, so the sound is sometimes labelled ‘labial-velar’ (e.g. in PPP).
Energy of articulation – fortis/lenis (strong – weak)
NB! Only applies to obstruents (stops and fricatives)
Fortis/strong
/p t tʃ k f θ s ʃ (h)/
● have more forceful articulation (often longer, more noise)
● are always voiceless (no vocal fold vibrations)
● plosives /p t k/ are aspirated in stressed initial position
● have a shortening effect on preceding vowel or sonorant
● final stops often pre-glottalised
Lenis/weak
/b d dʒ g v