Explain the difference between 'consonant' and 'vowel'.

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Explain the difference between 'consonant' and 'vowel'.

In English language, consonants and vowels are two fundamental components of speech sounds. The main difference between consonants and vowels lies in the way they are produced and the characteristics of their sounds.

1. Definition:
- Consonants: Consonants are speech sounds that are produced by obstructing or restricting the airflow in some way. They are characterized by the presence of constriction or closure in the vocal tract, which causes friction or turbulence in the airflow. Consonants are typically produced by the articulation of the lips, teeth, tongue, or other parts of the vocal tract.
- Vowels: Vowels, on the other hand, are speech sounds that are produced with an open vocal tract, allowing the air to flow freely. They are characterized by the absence of any significant constriction or closure in the vocal tract. Vowels are produced by shaping the oral cavity and adjusting the position of the tongue, lips, and jaw.

2. Production:
- Consonants: Consonants require some form of obstruction or constriction in the vocal tract. This can involve the complete closure of the vocal tract, as in the case of plosive consonants like /p/ or /b/, or partial closure, as in fricative consonants like /s/ or /v/. The airflow is either completely blocked or forced through a narrow passage, resulting in distinct sounds.
- Vowels: Vowels, on the other hand, are produced with an open vocal tract. The airflow is relatively unobstructed, and the tongue, lips, and jaw are adjusted to create different vowel sounds. Vowels are characterized by their pitch, quality, and duration.

3. Sonority:
- Consonants: Consonants are generally less sonorous than vowels. They have a shorter duration and are often perceived as more noise-like. Consonants provide the framework for the syllables and help shape the words, but they do not carry the same level of audibility or prominence as vowels.
- Vowels: Vowels are more sonorous than consonants. They have a longer duration and are perceived as more melodious or musical. Vowels form the nucleus of syllables and are crucial for intelligibility and clarity in speech.

4. Role in language:
- Consonants: Consonants play a vital role in distinguishing words and conveying meaning. They contribute to the formation of syllables, help differentiate between words with similar vowel sounds, and enable the formation of complex sound patterns in language.
- Vowels: Vowels are essential for word recognition and comprehension. They provide the core sounds of words and carry much of the meaning. Vowels are often the most prominent and recognizable sounds in a word, and changes in vowel sounds can alter the entire word's meaning.

In summary, consonants and vowels differ in terms of their production, sonority, and role in language. Consonants involve obstruction or constriction in the vocal tract, have shorter duration, and contribute to the framework of words. Vowels, on the other hand, are produced with an open vocal tract, have longer duration, and carry the core sounds and meaning of words.