How to Make Voice and Voiceless Sounds

  • Thread starter fxdung
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses how to make voiceless and voiced sounds by manipulating the glottis and vocal cords. The speaker also mentions the difference between pairs of voiced and voiceless sounds in English and Vietnamese. However, they clarify that the glottis does not play a role in voicing in English.
  • #1
fxdung
388
23
Is this correct: to make voiceless sound the glotis more open and more tense; to make voice sound the glotis more narrow and less tense?I don't know how to make the vocal cord vibrate and to make it not vibrate?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
What do you do differently between the following pairs of sounds? (first is voiced, second is voiceless)

'b' versus 'p'
'd' versus 't'
'g' versus 'k'
'z' versus 's'

Do any of these pairs both exist in Vietnamese (which is your native language, if I remember correctly)?
 
  • #3
The glottis has nothing to do with voicing. At least not in the English language. It's all about the vocal cords.

fxdung said:
I don't know how to make the vocal cord vibrate and to make it not vibrate?
In all languages most vowels are voiced. Put your hand on your neck where the larynx is and start pronouncing the vowels you know. Of English, or Vietnamese. Any language really. You will feel vibration in the voice box.
Then say those same vowels, but whispering. Whispering disengages the vocal cords. Your hand will sense a lack of vibration.
You want to control that vibration to contrast the voiced/unvoiced consonants.
 
  • Love
Likes Tom.G

FAQ: How to Make Voice and Voiceless Sounds

1. What are voice and voiceless sounds?

Voice and voiceless sounds are two categories of sounds in spoken language. Voice sounds, also known as voiced sounds, are produced when the vocal cords vibrate. These sounds have a clear, audible tone. On the other hand, voiceless sounds, also known as unvoiced sounds, are produced without vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a more breathy or whispery quality.

2. How are voice and voiceless sounds produced?

Voice sounds are produced when air from the lungs passes through the vocal cords, causing them to vibrate. This vibration creates sound waves that travel through the throat, mouth, and nose, shaping the sound into recognizable speech. Voiceless sounds, on the other hand, are produced when air from the lungs passes through the vocal cords without causing them to vibrate. Instead, the sound is created by the movement of the tongue, lips, and other articulators.

3. What are some examples of voice and voiceless sounds?

Some examples of voice sounds include vowels such as "a," "e," and "o," as well as consonants like "b," "d," and "g." Examples of voiceless sounds include the "f" sound in "five," the "s" sound in "snake," and the "k" sound in "kite." In many languages, there are pairs of sounds that differ only in voicing, such as "p" and "b" or "s" and "z."

4. How can I make voice and voiceless sounds?

To make voice sounds, you need to engage your vocal cords by exhaling air from your lungs and using your articulators to shape the sound. For voiceless sounds, you need to exhale air from your lungs without engaging your vocal cords, and use your articulators to create the sound. It may take some practice to differentiate between the two types of sounds and produce them accurately.

5. Why is it important to understand voice and voiceless sounds?

Understanding voice and voiceless sounds is crucial for clear and effective communication. Being able to produce these sounds correctly allows for proper pronunciation of words and helps convey meaning accurately. Additionally, knowing the difference between voice and voiceless sounds can also be helpful when learning a new language or working with individuals who have speech difficulties.

Back
Top