The physics and physiology of speech.

Man is distinguished from the other primates by having the apparatus to make sound of speech. Language scientists have very detailed understanding of how the human body produces the sounds of speech. Leaving to one side the vast subject of how we choose particular utterances and identify the sounds we need, we can think rather simply of how we use lungs to breathe out air, produce vibrations in the larynx and then use our tongue, teeth and lips to modify the sounds. Mostly we use air that is moving out of our lungs to speak. We may pause while breathing in, or try to use the ingressive air-but this is likely to produce quit speech, which is unclear to our listeners. In languages other than English, speakers may also use non-pulmonic sound, such as clicks or glottal sounds. In the larynx, the vocal folds set up vibrations in the regressive air. The vibrating air passes through further cavities which can modify the sound and finally air articulated by the passive (immobile) articulators-the hard palate, the alveolar ridge and the upper teeth- and active (mobile) articulators. These are pharynx, the velum (or soft palate), the jaw and lower teeth, the lips and above all, the tongue, this so important and so flexible an organ, that language scientists identify different regions of the tongue by name, as these are associated wit particular sounds.

Working outwards these are:

· the back- opposite the soft palate

· the centre- opposite the meeting point hard and soft palate

· the front- opposite the hard palate

· the blade- the tapering area facing the ridge of teeth

· the tip- the extreme end of the tongue

Speech therapists have a very detailed working knowledge of the physiology of human speech, and of exercises and remedies to overcome difficulties. Some of us encounter in speaking, where these have, physical causes. An understanding of anatomy is also useful to various kinds of expert who train people to use their voices in special or unusual ways.

These would include singing teachers and voice coaches for actors, as well as the even more. Specialized coaches who train actors to produce the speech sounds of hither to unfamiliar varieties of English or other languages.

Читайте також:

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
LECTURE 4PHONOLOGICAL ASPECT OF SPEECH SOUND	\|	Phonology as a science

Не знайшли потрібну інформацію? Скористайтесь пошуком google:

Генерація сторінки за: 0.004 сек.