Spanish Phonetics: Classification of Sounds and Articulation

Classification of Spanish Sounds

The production of speech sounds begins as air travels from the trachea to the lungs. The vibration of the vocal cords determines the voicing of a sound:

• Voiced: Vocal cords vibrate.
• Voiceless (Deaf): Vocal cords do not vibrate.

The position of the uvula determines the resonance:

• Oral: Uvula is raised, blocking the nasal cavity; air exits through the mouth.
• Nasal: Uvula is relaxed; air exits through both the mouth and nose.

When air reaches the mouth, it is classified based on obstacles created by the tongue and lips as either a consonant or a vowel.

Modes of Articulation in the Oral Tract

• Occlusive (Plosive): Complete closure of articulators followed by an abrupt release of air (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/).
• Approximant: Articulators approach each other without creating full closure; air flows freely (e.g., vowels, /b/ in iba).
• Fricative: Articulators create a narrow constriction, forcing air through a small space (e.g., /f/, /z/).
• Affricate: A combination of a complete closure followed by a fricative release (e.g., /ch/).
• Nasal: Air is directed through the nasal cavity (e.g., /m/, /ñ/).
• Liquid: A category including lateral and vibrant sounds.
• Lateral: The tongue blocks the center of the mouth, allowing air to escape from the sides (e.g., /l/, /ll/).
• Vibrant: The tongue vibrates against the alveolar ridge (e.g., simple /r/ in pero or multiple /rr/ in perro).

Points of Articulation

Bilabial

Involves both lips. Includes occlusives (/p/, /b/), approximants (/b/ in iba), and nasals (/m/).

Labiodental

The lower lip touches the upper teeth. Includes voiceless fricatives (/f/).

Interdental

The tongue apex is positioned between the upper and lower incisors. Includes approximants (/d/ in hada) and fricatives (/z/).

Dental

The tongue apex supports the upper incisors. Includes occlusives (/t/, /d/).

Alveolar

The tongue apex supports the alveolar ridge. Includes fricatives (/s/), nasals (/n/), laterals (/l/), and vibrants (/r/, /rr/).

Palatal

The tongue dorsum touches the hard palate. Includes approximants, affricates (/ch/), nasals (/ñ/), and laterals (/ll/).

Velar

The tongue post-dorsum rises toward the soft palate (velum). Includes plosives (/g/, /k/), approximants (/g/ in hago), and fricatives (/j/).