| UNIT 412-3: PHONETICS |
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| 412.3.6.2.3: APPROXIMATES |
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| The articulatory stricture for approximations is not narrow enough to stop the flow of air completely (as in the case of stops), or cause local turbulence during the passage of air (as in the case of fricatives). But it is not so wide as to allow completely free passage of air either (as in the case of vowels, which we shall look at later.) The y and w in the English words you and wide are approximants. |
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| 412.3.1.2.4: TRILLS |
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| Trills are produced by making an articulatory such as the tip of the tongue or the uvula vibrate rapidly by moving a stream of air across it. The r sounds in raat 'night' and trishnaa 'thirst' are apical trills in Hindi, so-called because they are produced by vibrating the tip or apex of the tongue. The r sound in French words (given in 412.3.6.1.8) like rouge 'red' and rose 'rose' are uvular trills. |
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| 412.3.6.2.5: FLAPS |
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| Flaps are produced by making an articulatory strike against another in passing. The r like consonant in the final syllable of common words like gaaRii 'car', and ghaRii 'time' is a retroflex flap. |
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| 412.3.6.2.6: CENTRAL/LATERAL |
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| A distinction is made between central and lateral consonants on the basis of the path taken by outflowing air during their articulation. In lateral consonants air is allowed to escape through the sides while an obstruction is maintained on the central axis. This is what happens for instance during the articulation of the [l] in the Hindi word laRkaa. A central obstruction is formed and maintained by pressing the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge, but outflowing air is allowed to escape laterally by lowering the sides of the tongue. The [r] in red, on the other hand, is a central approximant which air flows out along the central axis of the tongue. |
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| 412.3.6.2.7: ASPIRATION |
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| The Hindi words pal 'moment' and phal 'fruit' both begin with bilabial stops. Place the palm of your hand close to your lips. Now say the words aloud. You will notice that a larger puff of breath escapes from your mouth as you say the consonant in phal than when you say pal. Such consonants, which are pronounced with an extra puff of breath, are said to be aspirated, as opposed to the others which are said to be unaspirated. The initial consonants in the Hindi words kal 'tomorrow', cal 'move', jal 'water' etc. are unaspirated, while the ones in khat 'letter', chal 'deceit' etc. are aspirated. Aspirated consonants are characterized by a delay in the onset of voicing after the release of the articulatory stricture. |
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| QUESTIONS: |
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1. |
Write short notes on: |
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(a) murmur
(b) creaky voice
(c) voicing |
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2. |
Enumerate the points of articulation. What are the various manners of articulation? Write a few lines on each. |
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