From the lungs to the lips and the nose, this organs
in conjunct are normally adapted for speech
production.
Air Stream Mechanism
Referred to the air
stream expelled from
the lungs, this
mechanism is a process
of air stream release
that works together to
form sounds.
The Speech Chain
The different stages
involved in the process of
speech production from the
initiation to that of its full
realisation, mostly about
the way of the air stream as
it comes outwards from the
lungs towards the larynx.
The States of
the Glottis
Closed
Glottis
when the folds are
brought close
together so that no
air is allowed to
pass, this results in
a glottal stop that
frequently precedes
the forceful
articulation of
vowels.
Open
Glotis
when glottis
is held open
for normal
breathing,
this state
produces the
voiceless
sounds of
English.
Narrow
Glotis
when vocal folds
loosely held
together, this
state makes folds
vibrate to produce
voice, giving as a
result all vowels,
nasals, glides and
laterals.
Resonating Cavities
In the vocal tract The shape assumed by the pharynx, the
velum (soft palate) and the mouth are important for sound
production. These organs are called resonators
The pharyngeal cavity extends from the top of the larynx and
the oesophagus, beyond the epiglottis and the root of the
tongue, to the region in the rear of the soft palate.
The velum or soft palate may be lowered to allow the air
escape through the nose and the mouth. This produces
nasalised sounds, the nasalised vowels and consonants.
The Mouth
The shape of lips usually affects the total cavity. They may
be shut tightly or held loosely or rounded. If they are shut
totally, there's a total obstruction of the air stream.
The tongue so flexible that is capable of
assuming a great many varieties of positions
of articulation of both vowels and consonants.
The lower jaw is also capable of a great deal of movement; it controls the
gap between the lower and the upper teeth and the position of the lips and
works on the variations in the shapes of the mouth in speech production