Question

Which are the three main air-stream mechanisms for the production of speech sounds?

• A. Pulmonic air-stream mechanism
• B. Velaric air-stream mechanism
• C. Glottalic air-stream mechanism
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

D. All of the above

There are three main air-stream mechanisms used in the production of speech sounds in the world's languages:

1️⃣ Pulmonic air-stream mechanism

• The most common mechanism.

• Air is pushed out (or rarely in) using the lungs.

• All normal English speech sounds are produced this way.

2️⃣ Glottalic air-stream mechanism

• The air is moved by the action of the glottis (vocal cords).

• Produces sounds like ejectives (glottalic egressive) and implosives (glottalic ingressive).

3️⃣ Velaric air-stream mechanism

• The air is moved by the back of the tongue against the velum.

• Produces clicks, as in some African languages like Zulu or Xhosa.