StudySmarter - The all-in-one study app.
4.8 • +11k Ratings
More than 3 Million Downloads
Free
Americas
Europe
In phonetics and phonology, voice articulation or voicing identifies speech sounds (like consonants and vowels) produced by the vocal folds (or vocal cords).When we think of voice, we normally think of it in terms of social interactions. Our voice carries a message with a tone or accent. It carries aspects of our heritage, our mood and our identity.The main organs relevant to sound production or…
Explore our app and discover over 50 million learning materials for free.
Save the explanation now and read when you’ve got time to spare.
SaveLerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persönlichen Lernstatistiken
Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenIn phonetics and phonology, voice articulation or voicing identifies speech sounds (like consonants and vowels) produced by the vocal folds (or vocal cords).
When we think of voice, we normally think of it in terms of social interactions. Our voice carries a message with a tone or accent. It carries aspects of our heritage, our mood and our identity.
The main organs relevant to sound production or sound articulation are the respiratory system and the vocal organs.
The voice is produced in the vocal cords situated in the larynx in the thyroid cartilage or "Adam's Apple". The vocal folds create sound when they come into contact and then vibrate (or not) as the lungs' air flow passes through them. This cycle produces sound waves. To have a clear sound, the vocal folds have to vibrate regularly and symmetrically, with the pitch of the voice determined by the vibrations produced.
In the English language, we have voiced and voiceless sounds. The sound produced falls into one of these categories depending on the vocal folds' position to create the sound, and the pulmonic airstream (airflow produced by the lungs going through the larynx).
Let's have a look at the differences between voiced and voiceless sounds.
During the vibration of the vocal folds, called voiced, we can produce different sorts of sounds. As Peter Roach, ex University professor and phonetician affirms, thanks to the larynx we can “make changes in the vocal folds themselves”, the vibration can be longer or shorter, relaxed or tensed and the pressure caused by the airflow could also differ in intensity .
If the vocal cords have a narrow passage between them, the airflow will push them together. Once stuck together, air can't pass through until enough pressure is built and forces the vocal cords to be separated again.
Voiced sound in English, where the vocal fold vibration is present, are / b, d, m, v /. When you pronounce these sounds, you can feel and hear a vibration.
These are all of the voiced sounds in the English language:
/i:/ - weep | /b/ - bed |
/ɪ / - bit | /d/ - dog |
/ʊ/ - good | /v/ - vivacious |
/u:/ - boot | /ð/ - those |
/e/ - beg | /dʒ/ - gym |
/ə/ - about | /z/ - zebra |
/3:/ - heard | /g/ - goat |
/ɔ:/ - ought | /ʒ/ - vision |
/æ/ - bat | /m/ - man |
/ʌ/ - up | /n/ - noun |
/a:/ - car | /ŋ/ - sing |
/ɔ/ - dog | /l/ - loud |
/r/ - red | |
/w/ - wet | |
/j/ - yam |
We can also produce voiceless sounds by allowing air to pass through the vocal folds unhindered. As Beverly Collins (1938-2014) confirmed, we have many muscles interacting in the vocal tract in sound production to allow parts of the vocal organs to get in contact or near contact and articulate.
No vibration is generated while the vocal cords allow the air through without obstruction. The sound produced is called a voiceless sound.
Voiceless sounds in English, where the vocal fold don't vibrate, are / f, p, s, t /. When you pronounce any of these sounds, you can perceive the lack of vibration if you sustain them for a few seconds.
Study Tip: Place your fingers on your Adam's apple to check whether you have voiced or voiceless consonants. If you feel some vibration, it's a voiced sound, and if you don't, it's voiceless.
There are no voiceless vowel sounds in the English language however vowels can be produced in a voiceless way, such as when you're whispering.
Here are all of the voiceless consonants in the English language:
In phonetics and phonology, voice articulation or voicing identifies speech sounds (like consonants and vowels) produced by the vocal folds (or vocal cords).
A voiced sound is when the vocal cords vibrate during speech production. Unvoiced sounds are created without the vocal cords vibrating.
We call it a voiceless sound when it is created with the lack of vibration in the vocal cords.
The main organs relevant to sound production or sound articulation are the respiratory system and the vocal organs.
The voice is produced in the vocal cords situated in the larynx in the thyroid cartilage or “Adam’s Apple''.
How would you like to learn this content?
How would you like to learn this content?
Free english cheat sheet!
Everything you need to know on . A perfect summary so you can easily remember everything.
Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan.
Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes.
Create and find flashcards in record time.
Create beautiful notes faster than ever before.
Have all your study materials in one place.
Upload unlimited documents and save them online.
Identify your study strength and weaknesses.
Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them.
Stop procrastinating with our study reminders.
Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying.
Create flashcards in notes completely automatically.
Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates.
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
Sign up with Email Sign up with AppleBy signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of StudySmarter.
Already have an account? Log in