3.1.1 Phonetics: Articulatory
Articulatory phonetics refers to the approach to the phonetic medium that seeks to explain and classify speech sounds in terms of the variations in the production of the speech sounds.
It is about the most highly developed and longest established branch of phonetics. It sees speech as an activity of the speaker and concentrates attention on the human speech organs and how these organs function singly and in combination with each other to modify exhaled air from the lungs into speech sounds.
In articulatory phonetics speech sounds are described in terms of the organs which produce them and how these organs behave during their production. For instance a description of the sound [p] will include the fact that the two lips come together and momentarily completely block the passage of air coming from the lungs and then a sudden release of the air or a sudden parting of the lips occurs resulting in some kind of explosion. It is for this reason that the phonetic description of [p] includes the terms “bilabial plosive”. In this course we are mainly concerned with this aspect of phonetics – Articulatory Phonetics. Unit 5 of this Module provides essential information on the organs of speech.
3.2.1 Phonetics: Auditory
This branch of phonetics sees speech mainly as an activity of the hearer: how the hearer perceives and interprets speech sounds. This branch of phonetics is also sometimes said to be perceptual. In addition to being concerned with the basic sounds of natural languages, it deals with such properties of sounds as pitch, accentuation and loudness – non segmental issues which affect sound perception.
Generally, the hearer does not listen to a sound for its own sake; he listens in order to get meaning. This means he listens for sounds in association with other sounds. As you become mature in your phonetic training, you will be able to listen to sounds analytically – listening in order to appreciate specific sound features. The person who has not received phonetic training should, other things being equal, be different from you. He would be one only capable of listening naturally – more concerned with meaning than with the sound features which produce the meanings.
Self-assessment Exercise
(a) Why is auditory phonetics sometimes said to be perceptual?
(b) Distinguish between listening analytically and listening naturally.
3.2.3. Phonetics: Acoustic
This branch of phonetics concentrates attention on studying the physical properties of the sound waves generated when the speech organs go into activity. It also seeks to explain how sound is transmitted through the air from the speaker to the hearer.
Recently this branch has made a lot of progress and has helped to clarify a lot of information relating to articulatory phonetics. Acoustic phonetics has emphasized the fact that speech is a continuous flow of speech sounds. It utilizes machines such as the spectograph and the oscillomink to measure sound waves particularly the frequency and the amplitude of sound wave. Engineers, builders and construction experts frequently make use of acoustic information. For the purpose of ensuring accuracy of information, machines and other instruments used for acoustic measurement must be properly maintained by qualified engineers. Laboratory instruments which are well maintained will hardly ever have “bad days.” i.e. days during which they break down or produce wrong information.
3.2.4 Relationship of the Branches
The different branches of phonetics may be taken to represent separable approaches to the study of the subject. Any of the approaches may be adopted because of the investigator’s purpose or convenience. For instance, an architect who has to design a sound–proof studio, theatre or auditorium would find acoustics very useful. A big hall in which people find difficulty in hearing an address from a central position, may be said to have poor acoustics. A well constructed language laboratory is normally said to possess good acoustics. On the other hand a linguists, particularly an expert in general phonetics and the phonology of a particular language, finds articulatory phonetics – the realization of sounds of natural languages – very important. Equally, such an expert finds auditory phonetics – the perceptual aspect of sounds – very relevant to his interest.
In some respects, however, the three branches are interconnected. For instance, if we pay attention to realization (pronunciation) and perception (hearing) of the sounds [p] and [b], which are both bilabial plosives, all the three branches would be seen to be relevant: articulatory phonetics would add the dimension of vibration of the vocal chords or folds to bring about voicing in the case of [b] and the absence of vibration of the vocal chords in the case of [p].
Auditory phonetics would supply information that differentiates voiceless [p] from voiced [b] in terms of the voicing heard for [b]. In a third way, the differences would feature more prominently in an acoustic analysis of the same sounds where evidence of voicelessness would be available in the sound wave for [p] and evidence of voicing would be available in the sound wave for [b].
So, while the three branches of phonetics: articulatory, auditory and acoustic are separate (and separable) all the three are, as we have seen above, also united in their functions. The three branches also underlie the study of phonology.
4.0 CONCLUSION
From this unit, we have seen that phonetics is separable into three branches – articulatory, auditory and acoustic. We have seen that each branch is important and that also the three are also interconnected. Also, they all relate to the study of phonology.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have studied three branches of phonetics – articulatory, auditory and acoustic – and the main concern of each branch. You have also studied the branches which are the main concern of the phonetician (articulatory and the auditory) and the one which, apart from being of technical importance to the phonetician, is also of use to people in other walks of life such as architecture and building engineering. You are now adequately prepared to begin a study in which your knowledge of articulatory phonetics in particular will come in handy.
6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
In about 2 pages of your answer paper, discuss the branches of phonetics, making certain that in your discussion you indicate how the three branches are related. Submit your answer to your tutor for assessment.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Eka, D. and Inyang Udofot (1996): Aspects of Spoken Language. Calabar, BON Universal Ltd.
Gimson, A.C. (1980): An Introduction to the Pronunciation of English. London: Edward Arnold.
Lyons,John (1990): Language and Linguistics: An Introduction. Cambridge: University Press.
Leave a comment behind