Unit 2
Phonology 1: The Production of Speech Sounds

Overview

Unit 1 discussed the biological basis and the origins of languages. Unit 2 moves on to the synchronic study of sound. The overall goal of this unit is to provide you with the vocabulary necessary for adequate linguistic description and for communication with linguists.

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. define the terms pulmonic egressive airstream mechanism and diphthong.
2. distinguish between acoustic and auditory phonetics.
3. locate the hard palate, the soft palate (velum), the uvula, and the alveolar ridge.
4. describe the place of articulation for the following types of sounds: labials, alveolars, velars, interdentals, and palatals.
5. describe the manner of articulation for, and provide examples of, the following types of sounds: stops, aspirated sounds, unaspirated sounds, fricatives, affricates, sibilants, obstruents, sonorants, liquids, and glides.
6. describe how consonantal and vocalic (vowel) sounds and nasalized sounds are produced.
7. describe the role of contrasts and oppositions in a language system and provide examples.
8. explain what it means to “know” a language.
9. discuss de Saussure’s concept of a language system, and describe his distinction between langue and parole and the importance this distinction has for the synchronic study of sound.
10. distinguish between descriptive, prescriptive, and teaching grammars.