PHONETICS MANUAL.indd - HumBox

etween them, and the following diagram, which doesn’t show the vocal folds, applies
equally well to both.
Fig 24
[p, b]
Consonants like [p] and [b] are BILABIAL (this word is simply the Latin for “both
lips”).
For [t] and [d] the lips aren’t involved in the obstruction of the airstream. This time
(in English at least) the constriction is produced by bringing the tip of the tongue into
contact with the teethridge (alveolum). Say [ata], [ada] to confirm this.
Fig 25
[t, d]
So English [t] and [d] are ALVEOLAR. (Strictly speaking, as the tongue is involved as
well as the teethridge, the term ought to be lingual-alveolar: however, most consonants
involve the tongue in some way or other, so there’s no point in specifying lingual- each
time.)
Finally, for [k] and [g], the constriction involves the back of the tongue, which
is brought into contact with the soft palate (velum). Therefore these are VELAR
consonants. Although this part of the oral cavity is less easy to monitor than the area
around the lips and teeth, you can get a rough impression of the tongue position by
saying [aka] and [aga] slowly to yourself. But only a diagram can show the surprising
extent to which the back of the tongue is raised for velars.
Fig 26
[k, g]
Consonants
41