CHAPTER 2 - The Production of Speech Sounds

      This chapter mentioned the importance of identifying and describing the phonemes of English. The analysis of how they are produced let me realize about the brilliant stuff we have on our vocal tract and on our oral cavity.

         I could identify the anatomical parts of each one of the components and articulators above the larynx that allows us to emit sounds and whole utterances. The seven articulators (larynx, velum, hard palate, alveolar ridge, tongue, upper-lower teeth and lips) were described in detail, so I got a clear idea about their functions and basic movements to produce sounds. 

In the contrast between vowel and consonant sound production, I have learned that vowel sound are emitted with no obstruction of the flow of air from the larynx to the lips and that consonant sounds are sometimes consider as vowel ones depending on the way they are produced in many languages.

“The most important difference between vowel and consonant is not the way that they are made, but their different distributions” (Roach, 2009)

          The cardinal vowel framework was so useful to guide us in pronunciation as a map serves to any person to cover and get known a determined area. It helps us to find places of articulation that we never thought to use appropriately.  

English short vowels were an important issue on this chapter. I got aware that they are six and they are just relatively short because they can have diverse measurement in diverse situations.

There are many sources on the net we can use to teach English short vowel sounds and teacher aids to get students aware about the correct pronunciation of them, as well.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6179118_teach-short-vowel-sounds-words.html

http://www.ezschool.com/Tutorials/Vowels/Intro.html