Question

35.Outline the sequence of aerodynamic events associated with plosive production. 36.Outline the sequence of acoustic events associated with plosive production.

Answer 1

A plosive is a consonant sound produced by stopping the airflow in the vocal tract.

1. Aerodynamic is the study of motion of air . During speaking , we move air through the speech production system and the air movements are therefore a useful means of representing the process of speech production . Change in the shape and size of lower airway produce an airstream which is continuously modified by laryngeal and supra laryngeal structures . The movement of air through respiratory tract is governed by physical forces and controlled by neural and chemical events .

2. Acoustic theory of speech production - Complex tone produced by vibration of VF is shaped into speech sounds by the vocal tract

>The speech-production mechanism may be considered an aerodynamic mechanical sound generator.

>Within this context, the VP port functions to emphasize the dichotomy between the aerodynamic-mechanical and the acoustic aspects of speech.

>If the VP port is closed, the oral cavity is an efficient generator capable of producing sounds without an air leak.

>If the VP port is open, sounds and air (pressure) are directed through the nasal cavity - this opening also changes the acoustic characteristics of the vocal tract and creates two air-filled resonating cavities that are acoustically coupled.