PHO104 - Airstream Mechanisms

This E-Lecture discusses the airstream mechanisms used in speech production: pulmonic, glottalic and velaric including the articulation of the resulting non-pulmonic speech sounds.

[@leannerose6353]

If you are studying any kind of speech and language course, then these are the videos you need to watch!!!!!

[@TheAwesomeGingerGuy]

*Transcript:* *0.0: Introduction:* Hello. In the e-lecture Speech Anatomy, we discussed the central mechanisms of speech production, among them the respiratory system and the production of pulmonic air. In fact, in most languages the majority of speech sounds is initiated by outward going air from the lungs, that is by a pulmonic airstream, which we are going to discuss first in this e-lecture: an airstream where the lungs are the initiators. However, there are additional ways of producing an airstream, and these will also be discussed in this e-lecture. For example: the glottalic airstream, where a glottal closure is the initiator; and the velaric airstream, initiated by means of a velar closure. *1.0: Pulmonic:* Let us look at the pulmonic airstream first. *1.1: Pulmonic Egressive:* Air coming out of the lungs is the source of power in nearly all speech sounds. This airstream is referred to as pulmonic - that is, as lung-based airstream. In speech, the air is normally forced out like this (1:28). And this forcing out of air is caused by a downward movement of the rib cage, and/or an upward movement of the diaphragm. These two movements are the initiators of what is referred to as a pulmonic, egressive airstream. *1.2: Pulmonic Ingressive:* Sounds made with inward going air are called ingressive. So here we have an ingressive airstream, and it works like this (2:19). Now, such an airstream is sometimes used to express sympathy or pain, like this “oh no!”, and in some cases when one is out of breath. Ok, so we have pulmonic egressive and a pulmonic ingressive airstream, where the egressive airstream is used in normal speech, [but] the ingressive airstream is only confined to exceptional cases. *2.0: Glottalic:* Let’s look at the glottalic airstream next. In order to demonstrate how this airstream works, let’s first of all draw a sort of vocal tract - so something like this (3:12). Ok, so this is a vocal tract - well, almost. And in order to produce a glottalic airstream we need two closures: one closure occurs in the glottis, so we close off the airstream here (3:35); [and] at the same time a closure is produced somewhere in the vocal tract - let’s assume we have a closure here (3:51). And this is the air (4:01) that will be used in the glottalic airstream. Now there are two of this airstream. *2.1: Glottalic Egressive & Ingressive:* *2.1.1: Glottalic Egressive (Part 1):* One is referred to as glottalic egressive. This type of airstream uses the larynx in a sort of upward movement, so if the larynx is moved upwards during these two closures and the oral closure is released, the airstream is called glottalic egressive. Let’s name the closures (4:35): so this is the oral closure, and here we have the glottal closure. *2.1.2: Glottalic Ingressive (Part 1):* By contrast, we have an ingressive glottalic airstream. So, if the larynx is lowered while the oral closure is released, the airstream is glottalic ingressive. *2.1.3: Glottalic Egressive (Part 2):* Let’s look at these two airstream types in more detail. Let’s start with the glottalic egressive airstream. [The] glottalic egressive airstream occurs in many languages. The resulting speech sounds are referred to as ejectives (speech sounds similar to plosives). Let’s look at an example first (5:28). And as you can see, the larynx moves upwards. By the way, to indicate ejectives we’re using this small apostrophe as an extra mark, as a so-called diacritic placed after another phonetics symbol. Ejectives are produced as follows, first we have to produce the glottal closure by putting the vocal cords tightly together. You can simulate this by pretending you have to lift a heavy weight, like this (6:08) - now here we have the closure. Then we have to produce a supraglottal or oral closure. That is a closure somewhere in the vocal tract, let’s say a bilabial closure like this (6:22). So now let’s combine these two closures (6:25). Now, while you have these two closures, pull up the larynx up about 1cm - it acts like a piston compressing the air in the pharynx. The compressed air is released by releasing the oral closure while the glottal closure is maintained. Something like this (6:45) - can you see my larynx moving upwards (6:51)? The result is an ejective consonant - a speech sound similar to a plosive. Here are some ejectives (7:04). *2.1.4: Glottalic Ingressive (Part 2):* Ok. Let’s now move on to the second type of glottalic airstream, the glottalic ingressive airstream. Speech sounds with an ingressive glottalic airstream are called implosives. They’re produced like ejectives: you need the glottal closure, you need an oral closure, but now the larynx is pulled down. This is what it looks like in our animation (7:41). Ok. So, the downward movement of the larynx again is like that of a piston, now this time causing a reduction of the pressure of the air in the vocal tract. So, let’s do it (8:02): glottal closure, oral closure, and then downward movement of the larynx, so look at my larynx (8:11), and you see the larynx is moving down. Now, this downward movement however is leaky, and the vocal folds are set into motion. Air from the lungs is still being pushed out at the same time, since the larynx is usually not completely closed. When the closure in the vocal tract is released, the result is neither in the little sense, an implosive, nor an explosive action. Instead, a peculiar sound quality arises from the complex changes in the vocal tract. Nevertheless, the resulting sounds are referred to as implosives, and they can be considered as voiced. So here we have some of them: (9:01). *3.1: Velaric Airstream (Ingressive Only):* Ok, so much for the glottalic airstream. Finally, there is an airstream referred to as velaric airstream, and this airstream involves two closures: one in the front of the oral cavity, often using the tip of the tongue; and a second one in the velar region, using the back of the tongue. So, this configuration is similar to drinking with a straw, something like this (9:38) - so, imagine you’re drinking something with a straw. Now, if the central part of the tongue is lowered, the air which is enclosed between the two closures becomes verified, and a sudden release of the front closure will draw the air into the now open chamber, resulting in a clicking noise. And this is what it looks like in our animation (10:07). You see, here is the velar closure (10:15); and then somewhere in the vocal tract, you have a second closure (10:20). Again (10:25). Ok. Even though it is possible to use this mechanism to cause air to flow outward, languages only use velaric ingressive variant, resulting in these sounds, these clicking sounds, referred to as clicks. Here are some clicks for example: the bilabial clicks (10:50); or let’s take the alveolar lateral click (10:55). Well, let’s look at some animations to see how they are produced (11:05). Ok, you can find these in the unit airstream mechanisms on The Virtual Linguistics Campus. Well clicks are used in many South African languages, for example those belonging to the Khoisan group [(this is no longer considered a family, but perhaps a sprachbund?)]. And clicks are all voiceless because the glottis is not involved in their production. Additional voicing, however, is possible, for example you can hum during the production of a click, [but] the click itself however remains voiceless. So, this would be some result of humming as a sort of secondary articulation accompanying clicks (12:04). *Conclusion:* Well, so much for now. Maybe some of you can now produce ejectives, implosives, and even clicks. If not, you should have an idea and some background knowledge about the production of speech sounds using different types of airstream mechanisms. And also, you should know and understand which type of airstream mechanisms are used in speech. For example: we definitely use the egressive pulmonic airstream in most consonants and vowels of the languages of the world; we have seen that the glottalic egressive airstream is used in ejective consonants; we have also seen that the glottalic ingressive airstream is used in implosives; and the velaric ingressive airstream is used in clicks; the pulmonic ingressive is possible, however it is only used in exceptional cases, such as sobbing, or being out of breath; and the velaric egressive airstream is physically not possible, unless you are an expert in using your vocal organs. Ok. That’s it for now. See you again in one our e-lectures on speech science, and if you like, on the Virtual Linguistics Campus, in any of our online classes. Until then, have a nice time.

[@seeonec1]

Appreciate it

[@michael_essien]

I'm grateful💯

[@aksaroy7718]

Thank you so much 💞

[@serene_here]

this is very much appreciated! Thank you!

[@Noor-nb8fr]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@sc5260]

This lecture was a breath of fresh air after frustrating attempts to learn through books on how the sounds work. Will watch again and again till I learn the material. Thank you for sharing this with a wider audience.

[@irjau8325]

How amazing to see such kind of teacher who explains with all his energy, information, and his details. Thanks a lot for helping others with your valuable information. May God gives you what you want🙏🤍

[@alinahameed6651]

Sir,you are an addition to my Teaching List!Huge Respect for you from Pakistan!

[@user-wr8wf5nf4l]

These sounds are so cool. I've never thought speech sounds can be produced in this way yet they're a daily part of (maybe?) millions of people or more.

[@shadisadeghi1682]

Thank you sir It was realy helpful I like the way of your teaching . For the first time in my life ,I saw a perfect teaching.

[@deborahfolami3524]

This helped for my test in phonology. Thank you ❤

[@user-mc1el2kc7y]

This has really helped me

[@rzeka]

Wonderfully comprehensive!

[@beatanamene2307]

this is exceptional. thank you so much for simplifying it.

[@English-ce1tf]

Great ,Dr.

[@mahshidtorki1149]

OMG. I loved it. Thanks for making such effective content. You're amazing.

[@zoy.13.]

I am now in my second year in the faculty of languages and this subject was not familiar to me until I saw your explanation thank you so much.

[@aryanyekrangi7093]

You are amazing!!! Thank you for this great content!

[@athiyaluthfianarihana1465]

Wow, thank you so much. This helps me to understand the material!

[@radwareda6151]

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[@cintiaconti7948]

perfectly explained, thanks a lot!

[@bismiltv5065]

Amazing teaching style..good

[@sarangadissanayaka3496]

This was so helpful.thank you so much😊

[@DikeVictor-mp2nd]

Wonderful impressive

[@nynkescholte2243]

this helped me so much! Thanks a lot!

[@liujing74]

Thank you so much for the lectures!

[@niyihammed4950]

Very explanatory

[@hoenheimitashi3723]

Thank you so much :) that was helpful ^^

[@kiki0230610]

very useful teaching!!

[@leongkaian97]

Thank you so much it was helpful~

[@user-TuqaMahmoud]

Amazing sir. It was so clear

[@belindakyremanteng9394]

U are a very good teacher 👌🏿👍

[@honeybee3579]

Thank you so much

[@Andrewx7800]

Great lesson! Will use implosives in my conlangs now xD

[@alaamohammed9979]

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[@dunsblissfulworld4396]

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[@vivianmwakibete4658]

Its a wonderful lesson

[@EasyRussianForAll]

thank you! finally^ I've got it =)

[@rohitchand7522]

Lovely sir

[@t.c.bramblett617]

very good work

[@jacksondaniyal6113]

Thnq so much sir,, very use full to my subject,,, thnq again sir

[@kamanikamani2909]

the illustrations are helpful

[@zalatruptibaashoksinh2020]

Very helpful thank you sir.......

[@adjoauniluv9776]

Thank you so much 😊

[@simonecordeddu4783]

Although I liked this electure I want to say that a velar egressive trill is easy to produce, just by moving upwards your tounge

[@abdullahalnoman2939]

Thanks Love from Bangladesh

[@TheAwesomeGingerGuy]

Hi, this is a great lecture, thanks. I do have one question however: what is meant by the sound resulting from a glottalic ingressive airstream being "neither in the little sense, an implosive, nor an explosive action", but still termed an "implosive"? (8:30). Thanks

[@thasneemfiros4318]

thank you somuch it's very usefull

[@katiemohammad3915]

Amazing

[@feelhappyandhealthy5095]

Excellent teaching sir

[@speechtherapist6914]

Very nice

[@fridalobato6579]

The sound [b] has the Distinctive Feature matrix is [+labial, +stop, +cons]. Whats the distinctive feature matrix por the labial implosive [ɓ]?

[@atomnous]

Still can't pronounce the glottalic anything. At least I think so, because I don't feel the "larynx" (is it Adam's apple or what?) moving up or down, and I don't know how to control it without swallowing.

[@rawanroz2244]

In Which book can i find this explanation?

[@rinrinishere]

Thank you

[@oer-vlc]

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[@Mercure250]

Well, I can totally produce egressive velarics, but I think those are sounds that aren't used in any language =P

[@ann-kathrinh6337]

Which languages use glottalic airstreams?

[@azeddineabdouss2601]

There is a tribe of native American people belonging to the Southwestern United States, called 'Navajo' uses it in their language.

[@feelhappyandhealthy5095]

I would like to learn your teaching techniques sir

[@udayanganianuradha6532]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@beecognizantt1304]

Hi sir, glottic sound is wrong for the pronunciation of the word because the position of the tongue changes from front to back and then how to each other diffrentiate to all other stop consonant like ,T,P,K glottalic ingresive - B,D,G That is wrong because not fixed tounge position ,tounge move forward and backward . According to me plumonic egressive is perfect for pronunciation of all consonant and vowel both because tounge is fixed not move forward or backward and other also good plumonic always air flow outward from lungs so the sound is good and also diffrentiate every consonant each other .