Bilabials, such as [p], [b], and [m], are made by pressing the lips together. Labiodentals, like [f] and [v], are made by pressing the upper teeth to the lower lip. The interdentals, [θ] and [ð] (the unvoiced and voiced “th” sounds), are made by holding the tip of the tongue between the teeth. Alveolars are sounds made by placing the tongue on or near the roof of the mouth, just behind the teeth. These include [t], [d], [n], [s], [z], [l], and [r]. Palatals, which are not common in English, are made by raising the front part of the tongue to the palate. These include [ʃ], [ʒ], [ʧ], [ʤ], and [ʝ]. Velars are made by raising the back part of the tongue to the soft palate, toward the back of the mouth. These include [k], [g], and [ŋ] (the “ng” sound, as in “going”). Uvulars are made in the back of the throat by raising the back of the tongue to meet the uvula. These include [ʀ], [q], and [ɢ]. Glottals are made by modifying the flow of air in the glottis, inside your throat. These include [h] and the glottal stop, [Ɂ] (which you use in the middle of words like “uh-oh” or “nuh-uh”).
Voiced versus voiceless: This refers to whether the voice is used during the articulation of a consonant. For example, [f] is the voiceless counterpart to the voiced [v]. They are both labiodentals. Oral or nasal. This refers to the difference between consonants that are made with air moving through just the mouth (such as [p]) or also through the nose (like [n]). Stops, like [p], [b], [m], or [g], involve briefly blocking the flow of air through the vocal tract. Fricatives, like [f] and [v], require you to restrict the airflow enough to cause friction. Liquids, like [l] and [r], involve a slight obstruction of the airflow through the mouth that isn’t enough to cause any friction. Glides, like [j] (pronounced like “y” as in “yam”) and [w], involve very little restriction of air flow. Unless they’re at the end of a word, these sounds are always followed by a vowel. Some manners of articulation that are less common or nonexistent in English include trills and flaps (which are made by rapidly vibrating or tapping the tongue or lips against a point of articulation), as well as clicks (like the disapproving “tsk” sound you make with your tongue on the roof of your mouth).
For example, close vowels, like [i] and [u], are made with the jaw nearly closed and the tongue near the roof of the mouth. Open vowels, like [a] and [ɶ], are pronounced with the jaw open and the tongue lower in the mouth. There are also intermediate positions, such as close-mid, open-mid, and near-open. Vowels can also be pronounced in the front, central, or back part of the mouth. For example, [ɛ] (like the sound in “bread”) is a front vowel, while [ɑ] (as in “water”) is said in the back of the mouth. Vowels are typically described in terms of both positions—for example, “close central” or “mid back. ”
Examples of rounded vowels in English include [o] (as in “boat”) and [u] (as in “boot”). While all English rounded vowels are pronounced toward the back of the mouth, other languages, such as French, have front-rounded vowels.
For example, the front rounded vowel [ø] doesn’t exist in American English, but you’ll encounter it in numerous European languages.
The chart is divided up into pulmonic consonants, non-pulmonic consonants, and vowels, as well as other sounds and special symbols. The different sounds are organized according to place and manner of articulation. For example, you can find vowels by placement within the mouth (front, central, or back) as well as how closed or open the mouth is during articulation. Once you have the chart, you might find it helpful to make flashcards of the different symbols as a memorization aid. Put each symbol on the front and its name, description, and a helpful example word on the back.
This is especially helpful for learning to pronounce sounds that don’t exist in your native language. Practice saying the sounds out loud along with the guide, paying attention to the place and manner of articulation. This will help reinforce what you’re learning and make it easier for you to remember which sound each symbol represents.
Plosives: p, b, t, d, ɟ, ɖ, c, Ɉ, k, g, q, ɢ, Ɂ Nasals: m, ɱ, n, ɳ, ɲ, ŋ, ɴ Trills: ʙ, r, ʀ Taps or flaps: ⱱ, ɾ, ɽ Fricatives: ɸ, β, f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, ʂ, ʐ, ç, ʝ, x, ɣ, χ, ʁ, ħ, ʕ, h, ɦ Lateral fricatives: ɬ, ɮ Approximants: ʋ, ɹ, ɻ, j, ɰ Lateral approximants: l, ɭ, ʎ, ʟ
Clicks: ʘ, ǀ, ǃ, ǂ, ǁ Voiced implosives: ɓ, ɗ, ʄ, ɠ, ʛ Ejectives: ʼ, pʼ, t’, k’, s’
Close: i, y (front), ɨ, ʉ (central), ɯ, u (back) Near-close: ɪ, ʏ (near-front), ʊ (near-back) Close-mid: e, ø (front), ɘ, ɵ (central), ɤ, o (back) Mid-central: ə Open-mid: ɛ, œ (front), ɜ, ɞ (central), ʌ, ɔ (back) Near-open: æ (front), ɐ (central) Open: a, ɶ (front), ɑ, ɒ (back)
For example, a vowel that is nasalized would be written with the diacritical mark ̃ above it (e. g. , [bĩn] for “bean”). Some modifiers help clarify other aspects of pronunciation, such as how long a syllable is held or whether it is stressed or not. For example, the symbol ˈ before a syllable indicates that it is the primary stress syllable, or the loudest syllable in the word.
For example, [ˌedʒʊ’keɪʃən] spells the word “education. ” The suprasegmentals ˌ and ’ show you which syllables receive the most stress (secondary and primary). The phonetic spelling also shows you the differences between the English spelling and how the word is actually pronounced (e. g. , the “d” is actually a combination of 2 sounds, [d] and [ʒ]). You can also try phonetic matching games, like phonetic dominoes. Each card has a word written with its standard spelling on the top and a phonetic spelling of a different word on the bottom. Players try to match the phonetic spellings with the corresponding normal spelling of each word. [12] X Research source
