The Physiology of Pronunciation

Main points: The Organs of Speech:

Lungs Cavities and passages Articulators

The Production of Speech Sounds: The airstream process The phonation process The oronasal process The articulatory process

The Lungs

• They are the source of energy to produce speech sounds

Passages and Cavities

Inside the larynx

The PHONATION

PROCESS occurs in the larynx

ArticulatorsUpper lip

Lower lip

Upper teethAlveolar ridge

Hard palate

Soft palate (velum)

tongue

Parts of the tongue

tip

blade body

back

The production of speech sounds

• the airstream expelled from the lungs passes through the trachea into the larynx, where the phonation process occurs.

Vocal folds during phonation

• Then, the airstream passes into the pharynx, where the ORONASAL PROCESS takes place.

If the velum is raised the airstream will escape through the mouth.

If the velum is lowered the airstream will escape through the nasal cavity.

• In the ARTICULATORY PROCESS, the different articulators in the oral cavity will “shape” each speech sound.