Classification of English Consonants in Phonetics
Hello Friends ! In the previous chapter we learned about Vowel Sounds. Today we will understand in detail about the Classification of English Consonants in Phonetics. Only after knowing Vowel and Consonant sounds you will be able to understand phonetics better. So let’s start :
What are the English Consonants in Phonetics ?
What is Consonant or Definition of English Consonant and its types in English Phonetics : Those sounds during which air comes out with friction, then the sounds produced in this way are called Consonant Sounds.
Let us tell you that the total number of consonants in the English language is 24. Let us now understand the classification of consonants properly :
Classification of English Consonants in Phonetics
Description and Classification of Consonants in English Phonetics : Friends ! In English, consonants are classified on different basis, which are as follows :
- According to Place of Articulation
- According to Manner of Articulation
- ” — — ” to the Position of the Glottis
1. According to Place of Articulation :
On the basis of the place of articulation, We can classify the consonant sound as follows :
Bilabial | ओष्ठय :
What is Bilabial Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : The consonants in which both the lips meet during the articulation, hence they are called Bilabial Consonants.
For Example : /p/, /b/, /m/.
Dental | दन्त्य :
What is Dental Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of consonants, the tip of the tongue touches the upper teeth, hence they are called Dental.
For Example : /θ/, /ð/.
Labio Dental | दन्त्योष्ठ्य :
What is Labio Dental Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of consonants, the lower lip touches the upper teeth, hence they are called Labio Dental.
For Example : /f/, /v/.
Velar | कण्ठ्य :
What is Velar Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : During the articulation of these consonants, the distance between the back part of the tongue and the soft palate decreases, hence they are called Velar.
For example : /k/, /g/, /ŋ/.
Labio Velar | ओष्ठ मृदतालव्य :
What is Labio Velar Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : The consonants in which both the lips are rounded in the articulation, hence they are called Labio Velar.
For Example : /w/.
Palatal | तालव्य :
What is Palatal Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of these consonants, the tip of the tongue moves towards the palate. That’s why they are called Palatal.
For Example : /j/.
Alveolar | मूर्धन्य :
What is Alveolar Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of these consonants, the tip of the tongue touches the teeth ridge behind the upper teeth, hence they are called Alveolar.
For example : /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/, /n/.
Palato Alveolar | तालव्य मूर्धन्य :
What is Palato Alveolar Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of these consonants, the tip of the tongue touches the tooth ridge behind the upper teeth. Also touches the palate. That’s why they are called Palato Alveolar.
For example : /ʃ/, /ʈʃ/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/.
Lateral | पार्श्विक :
What is Lateral Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of these consonants, the air comes out from the side of the tongue, hence they are called Lateral.
For Example : /l/.
Glottal | श्वासद्वारीय :
What is Glottal Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : These consonants are pronounced with the help of vocal cords and glottis, hence they are called Glottis.
For Example : /h/.
Nasal | अनुनासिक :
What is Nasal Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : When in the articulation of the consonant, the air comes out of the nose. So it is called Nasal.
For Example : /m/, /n/.
Frictionless Continuent | घर्षणहीन सातत्यक :
What is Frictionless Continuent Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In the articulation of these consonants, the tip of the tongue moves towards the hard palate and the vocal cords vibrate.
For Example : /r/.
2. According to Manner of Articulation :
On the basis of the manner of articulation consonants can be classified as follows :
Plosive | स्पर्श व्यंजन :
What is Plosive Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : When the active articulator and the passive articulator come into strong contact. And if the air coming out of the lungs suddenly comes out with a strong explosion, then the consonants that are pronounced in this way are called Plosive Consonants.
For Example : /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/.
— Note : Guys ! There are two types of articulators or speech organs : Active Articulator And Passive Articulators.
- Active Articulator :
What are Active Articulators with Examples in English Phonetics : The organs of speech that are activated during pronunciation and they move towards the passive articulators to produce various speech sounds.
For Example : Tongue – this is the most important active articulator, Lower Lip and Glottis etc.
- Passive Articulators :
What are Passive Articulators with Examples in English Phonetics : The organs of speech which remain fixed or inactive during the pronunciation.
For Example : Upper Lip, Teeth, Alveolar Ridge, Hard Palate, Soft Palate, Uvula, and Pharynx Etc.
Affricate | स्पर्श संघर्षी :
What is Affricate Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : When the tip of the tongue touches the tooth ridge behind the upper teeth. And the air coming out of the lungs slowly comes out with friction, so the consonants pronounced in this way are called Affricate.
For Example : /ʈʃ/, /dʒ/.
Fricative | संघर्षी :
What is Fricative Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : When the active articulator and the passive articulator come so close that there is only a narrow passage between them. And the air comes out with friction, so the consonants pronounced in this way are called Fricative.
For Example : /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /θ/, /ð/, /ʒ/, /h/.
Glides | श्रुति :
What is Glides Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : In their pronunciation the air comes out without any friction, hence they are called Glides.
For Example : /j/, /r/, /w/.
Sonorants | सघोष :
What is Sonorants Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : The consonants in which the tip of the tongue first rises towards the palate and then comes down, the consonants pronounced in this way are called Sonorants.
For Example : /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/.
3. According to the Position of the Glottis :
On the basis of the position of the Glottis, consonants are of two types : Voiceless and Voiced Sounds with Examples
Voiceless | ध्वनिहीन :
What is Voiceless Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : A consonant that is pronounced without any voice or vibration.
For Example : /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/, /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /θ/, /ð/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /ʈʃ/, /dʒ/.
Voiced | ध्वनियुक्त :
What is Voiced Consonant with Examples in English Phonetics : A consonant that is pronounced a voice or vibration.
For Example : /h/, /w/, /n/, /m/, /r/, /j/, /ŋ/, /l/.
Difference Between Phonetic And Phonemic Transcription
Friends ! Often students get confused in both phonetic transcription and phonemic transcription. But don’t worry, today we are explaining to you the difference between these two.
Phonetic Transcription :
What is Phonetic Transcription in English : It is also called Narrow Transcription. In this, distinctive and non-distinctive features of sound are represented.
It provides more and more subtle details of how the actual sounds are pronounced. This method goes much deeper than phonemic transcription. These are always represented in square brackets.
For Example : Clean = [kl̥i:n]
Phonemic Transcription :
What is Phonemic Transcription in English : It is also called Broad Transcription. In this, only distinctive features of the sound are represented. And non- distinctive features are omitted. It reflects on how people interpret real sounds. These are always represented in slashes.
For Example : Clean = /kl̥i:n/
Ok guys! Today we have understood well about the Classification of English Consonants in Phonetics. In the next notes, we will try to understand consonants’ sounds and phonetic symbols.
Also, you will understand the vowels and consonants sound and their phonetic symbols with the help of table. So that you do not have any confusion. So stay with us.
Also understand this well :
A humble request :
Hope now you have got a good idea about the “Classification of English Consonants in Phonetics”. We have tried to explain this chapter to you in a very easy way so that you do not face any problem in the Exam.
You must share this important chapter with your friends also. This will also make it easier for them to understand phonetics. Then see you again. Thank you !
