The IPA Consonant
Sounds
Prepared by: Rio S. Aburido
HSC Faculty Member
OBJECTIVES
■ At the end of the module, the learner should be able
to:
– identify the IPA consonant sounds symbols;
– compare the points and manner of articulations; and
– take the formative, mastery path, and summative
assessments in the module.
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
• The IPA was first published in 1888 by the
Association Phonetique Internationale (International
Phonetic Association), a group of French language
teachers founded by Paul Passy.
• The transcription of sounds of speech is independent
of any particular language and applicable to all
languages.
• The phonetic script for English created in 1847 by
Isaac Pitman and Henry Ellis was used as a model
(source: World Wide Word).
The Human Speech Mechanism
Points of Articulation
Manner of Articulation
Points of Articulation
A bilabial consonant sound is formed by
closure or near closure of the lips.
A labiodental consonant sound is
articulated with the lower lip against the
upper front teeth.
A dental consonant is a consonant
articulated with the tongue against the
upper teeth.
Points of Articulation
Alveolar consonant sounds are produced
with the tongue close to or touching the
ridge behind the teeth on the roof of the
mouth.
Post alveolar consonant sounds are
articulated with the tongue near or
touching the back of the alveolar ridge,
farther back in the mouth than the
alveolar consonants.
Manner of Articulation
Plosives are consonant sounds that are
formed by completely stopping airflow.
Nearly all nasal consonants are nasal
occlusives, in which air escapes through
the nose but not through the mouth, as
it is blocked (occluded) by the lips or
tongue.
Manner of Articulation
Trill is consonantal sound produced
by vibrations between the active
articulator and passive articulator.
Tap or flap is a type of consonantal
sound used in some spoken
languages. The symbol is ɾ.
Manner of Articulation
Fricative consonant sound is
produced by bringing the mouth
into position to block the
passage of the airstream, but
not making complete closure, so
that air moving through the
mouth generates audible
friction.
Tasks to do:
1. Watch video courseware.
2. Take the formative test.
3. If necessary, read up additional materials.
4. Do the mastery path.
5. Take the summative assessment.
IPA website
Sources
• google.com (for the images)
• Grant, L. (2017). Well Said:
Pronunciation for Clear
Communication, 4th ed.
• Flores, C. and Lopez, E. (2003).
Effective Speech Communication