Phonetics

The phonetic transcription is used in order to show the correct pronunciation of words. This technique uses a special alphabet with specific symbols which is IPA Style (International Phonetic Alphabet). Each symbol represents different sounds that allow to learners understand what type of tone, timbre, accent and vibration they need to produce. Understanding phonetics in English is a necessity, because in this way teachers can create or produce accurate classes for their students, and provide the best learning process.

Pronunciation Part

/s/ and /z/ Sounds

/s/: 

Tongue tip: Near but not touching gum ridge behind upper front teeth.

Airstream: Continuous without interruption. 

Vocal cords: Not vibrating. 

/z/: 

Tongue tip: In the same position as for (s).
Airstream: Continuous without interruption.
Vocal cords: vibrating.

/ð/ and /θ/ Sounds

/ð/:

Tongue tip: Between the teeth.

Airstream: Continuous without interruption.

Vocal cords: Vibrating.

/θ/:

Top tip: Between the teeth.

Airstream: Continuous without interruptions.

Vocal cords: Not vibrating.

/tʃ/ and /ʃ/ Sounds

/tʃ/: 
Tongue tip: Firmly pressed against gum ridge behind upper front teeth.
Airstream: Stopped (as for ( t) ) and then released (as for ( long s ))
Vocal cords: Not vibrating. 

/ʃ/: 

Tongue tip: Near but not touching upper grum ridge.
Middle of tongue: Near but not touching hard palate.
Airstream: Continuous without interruption.
Vocal cords: Not vibrating.

Dental Consonants

A dental consonant is a consonant articulated with the tongue against the upper teeth, such as /t/, /d/, /n/, and /l/ in some languages. Dentals are primarily distinguished from sounds in which contact is made with the tongue and the gum ridge, as in English (see Alveolar consonant), due to the acoustic similarity of the sounds and the fact that in the Roman alphabet they are generally written using the same symbols (t, d, n, and so on).

Examples:

/d/: 
Tongue tip: Firmly pressed against gum ridge behind upper front teeth.
Airstream: Stopped and then exploded.
Vocal cords: Vibrating. 

/n/: 
Tongue: Firmly pressed against gum ridge behind upper front teeth. 
Airstream: Continuous through the nose.  
Vocal cords: Vibrating 

Bilabial Consonants

 

 

 

Bilabials are consonants for which the flow of air is stopped or restricted by the two lips. Bilabials may be voiced (vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the consonant) or voiceless (vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the consonant). Here is a list of the bilabials in Present-Day English.

Examples:

/b/: 

Lips: Pressed together (as for (p)). 

Airstream: Stopped and then exploded. 

Vocal cords: vibrating. 

/p/: 

Lips: Pressed together. 

Airstream: Stopped and then exploded. 

Vocal cords: Not vibrating.  

 

Labiodental Consonants

Labiodentals are consonants for which the flow of air is restricted by the lips and teeth. Labiodentals may be voiced (vocal cords vibrating during the articulation of the consonant) or voiceless (vocal cords not vibrating during the articulation of the consonant). There are two labiodentals in Present-Day English.

Examples:

/v/: 
Upper teeth: Touching the lower lip (as for (f)).
Airstream: Continuous, without interruption.
Vocal cords: Vibrating.

 
/f/: 
Upper teeth: Touching lower lip. 
Airstream: Continuous, without interruption. 
Vocal cords: Not vibrating.