Articulatory classification.

According to the specific character of the work of the speech organs, sounds in

practically all the languages are subdivided into two major subtypes: VOWELS (V) and

CONSONANTS (C).

There are 1) articulatory, 2) acoustic and 3) functional differences between V

and C.

1. The most substantial articulatory difference between vowels and consonants is

that in the articulation of V the air passes freely through the mouth cavity, while

in making C an obstruction is formed in the mouth cavity and the airflow exhaled

from the lungs meets a narrowing or a complete obstruction formed by the speech

organs.

2. Consonants articulations are relatively easy to feel, and as a result are most

conveniently described in terms of PLACE and MANNER of articulation.

3. Vowels have no place of obstruction, the whole of speech apparatus takes place

in their formation, while the articulation of consonants can be localized, an

obstruction or narrowing for each C is made in a definite place of the speech

apparatus.

4. The particular quality of Vs depends on the volume and shape of the mouth

resonator, as well as on the shape and the size of the resonator opening. The mouth

resonator is changed by the movements of the tongue and the lips.

5. The particular quality of Cs depends on the kind of noise that results when the

tongue or the lips obstruct the air passage. The kind of noise produced depends in

its turn on the type of obstruction, on the shape and the type of the narrowing. The

vocal cords also determine the quality of consonants.

6. From the acoustic point of view, vowels are called the sounds of voice, they have

high acoustic energy, consonants are the sounds of noise which have low acoustic

energy

7. Functional differences between Vs and Cs are defined by their role in syllable

formation: Vs are syllable forming elements, Cs are units which function at the

margins of syllables, either singly or in clusters.

Explain the essence of acoustic differences between V and C.

The acoustic aspect: every speech sound is a complex of acoustic effects and has its physical properties − it is a physical phenomenon, a kind of moving matter and energy. The physical (acoustic) properties of speech sounds consist of:

1) frequency (частота),

2) spectrum (спектр),

3) intensity (інтенсивність),

4) duration (тривалість).

From the acoustic point of view, vowels are called the sounds of voice, they have high acoustic energy, consonants are the sounds of noise which have low acoustic energy.