f of the mouth, so that there is slight turbulence. In English, / w / is the semivowel equivalent of the vowel / u /, and / j / (spelled «y») is the semivowel equivalent of the vowel / i / in this usage. Other descriptions use semivowel for vowel-like sounds that are not syllabic, but do not have the increased stricture of approximants. These are found as elements in diphthongs. The word may also be used to cover both concepts.
· Lateral approximants, usually shortened to lateral, are a type of approximant pronounced with the side of the tongue. English / l / is a lateral. Together with the rhotics, which have similar behavior in many languages, these form a class of consonant called liquids.
Broader classifications
Manners of articulation with substantial obstruction of the airflow (plosives, fricatives, affricates) are called obstruents. These are prototypically voiceless, but voiced obstruents are extremely common as well. Manners without such obstruction (nasals, liquids, approximants, and also vowels) are called sonorants because they are nearly always voiced. Voiceless sonorants are uncommon, but are found in Welsh and Classical Greek (the spelling «rh»), in Tibetan (the «lh» of Lhasa), and the «wh» in those dialects of English which distinguish «which» from «witch». may also be called resonants, and some linguists prefer that term, restricting the word «sonorant» to non-vocoid resonants (that is, nasals and liquids, but not vowels or semi-vowels). Another common distinction is between stops (plosives and nasals) and continuants (all else); affricates are considered to be both, because they are sequences of stop plus fricative.
Principles of Classification of English Consonants
The particular quality of a consonant depends on the work of the vocal cords, the position of the soft palate and the kind of noise that results when the tongue or the lips obstruct the airflow.
Linguists distinguish two types of articulatory obstruction that are formed when pronouncing consonants: complete and incomplete.
A complete obstruction is formed when organs of speech come into contact with each other and the air-passage is blocked.
An incomplete obstruction is formed when articulating organs (articulators) are held so close to a point of articulation as to narrow, or constrict, the air-passage without blocking it.
1.1 Classification of English consonant system
There are all in all 24 consonants in the English language and they are usually classified according to the following four principles:
I. According to the type of obstruction and the manner of noise production.
II. According to the active organ of speech and the place of obstruction.
III. According to the work of the vocal cords and the force of articulation.
IV. According to the position of the soft palate.
1.
According to the Degree of NoiseClass A. Noise ConsonantsClass B. SonorantsVary: 1. In the manner of articulation. 2. In the place of articulation. 3. In the work of the vocal cords. 4. In the force of articulation.Vary: 1. In the manner...
