Phonetics

1. Phonetics
An Introduction to the Study of
Speech Sounds
Dr. Priyanka Vats

2. Introduction to Phonetics
• Phonetics is the scientific study of speech
sounds.
– It deals with production, transmission, and
reception of sounds.
– It is a branch of linguistics.

3. Branches of Phonetics
• 1. Articulatory Phonetics
– 2. Acoustic Phonetics
– 3. Auditory Phonetics

4. Articulatory Phonetics
• Studies how speech sounds are produced.
– Involves speech organs like tongue, lips, teeth,
palate.
– Focuses on place and manner of articulation.

5. Acoustic Phonetics
• Studies physical properties of sound waves.
– Deals with frequency, amplitude, and duration.
– Analyzed using spectrograms.

6. Auditory Phonetics
• Studies how sounds are perceived by the ear.
– Involves hearing process and brain interpretation.

7. Speech Organs
• Lungs – provide air stream.
– Vocal cords – produce voiced sounds.
– Tongue – most active articulator.
– Lips, Teeth, Alveolar ridge, Palate.

8. Vowels
• Produced without obstruction of air.
– Classified by tongue position and lip rounding.
– Example: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/.

9. Consonants
• Produced with obstruction in air flow.
– Classified by place and manner of articulation.
– Example: /p/, /b/, /t/, /k/, /m/.

10. Phonetic Transcription
• Uses IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
– Represents exact pronunciation of words.
– Example: 'cat' → /kæt/.

11. Importance of Phonetics
• Helps in correct pronunciation.
– Useful in language teaching and learning.
– Important for linguistics and speech therapy.

12. Conclusion
• Phonetics is essential for understanding
speech sounds.
– It improves communication and pronunciation
skills.
– Foundation for advanced linguistic studies.