English Phonology; Classification English Consonant

Classification of English consonants are:

1.      According to the articulation point

1)      Labial, is sound with articulation point on the lips.

Divided labial,

a)      bilabial, is the sound articulated by two lips (p, b, m), ex; [p] pat, [b] bat, [m] mat, and

b)      the Labio-dental, namely the sound between the lower lip with the upper teeth (f, v). Ex; [f] fat and [v] vat.

2)      Dental, the sound is articulated by the tip of the tongue to the front teeth (θ, δ). Ex; [θ] thigh and [δ] thy.

3)      Alveolar, the sound is articulated by the tip of the tongue to the gums (t, d). Ex; [t] tab, and [d] dab.

4)      Palato-alveolar, the sound is articulated by the agency of the tongue with the palate (t∫, dЗ).

5)      Palatal, the sound is articulated by the front of the tongue to the palate front section (j).

6)      Velar, the sound is articulated by the back of the tongue to the palate rear (k, g, ŋ). Ex; [k] kill, [g] gill, and [ŋ] sing.

7)      Glottal, the noise generated at the glottis.

2.      According to the manner of articulation

1)      Plosive, the sound produced by closing the air cavity completely (p, b).

2)      Affricate, the plosive sound that resembles the separation of organs articulators but do not be too fast (t∫, dЗ).

3)      Nasal, mouth closed completely, ceiling rear kept low so that air freely passing through the cavity (m, n, ŋ).

4)      Lateral, obstacle lies in the middle of the mouth, air freely exit (l).

5)      Rolled, the sound produced by the rapid movement of a number of organs are elastic (r).

6)      Flapped, consonant sounds that resemble rolled but consists of only one quick movement only (r).

7)      Fricative, the sound is formed by narrowing the air cavity so that the discharge air causes Hissing sound (f, v, θ, δ, s, z, ∫, З, h).

Semi-vowel, the sound produced by the rapid movement of the vocal organs of speech closed to a number of vocal rest.