What are the articulatory features of vowels and consonants?

The articulatory features of vowels and consonants refer to the specific characteristics and movements involved in producing these speech sounds.

Vowels are produced with a relatively open vocal tract, allowing for the free flow of air. The main articulatory features of vowels include:

1. Height: This refers to the vertical position of the tongue in the mouth. Vowels can be classified as high, mid, or low based on the position of the tongue.

2. Backness: This refers to the horizontal position of the tongue in the mouth. Vowels can be classified as front, central, or back based on the position of the highest point of the tongue.

3. Tenseness: This refers to the degree of muscle tension in the articulatory organs. Vowels can be classified as tense or lax, with tense vowels requiring more muscular effort.

Consonants, on the other hand, involve some degree of constriction or obstruction of the airflow. The main articulatory features of consonants include:

1. Place of articulation: This refers to the specific location in the vocal tract where the constriction or obstruction occurs. Consonants can be classified based on whether the constriction is made at the lips (labial), teeth (dental), alveolar ridge (alveolar), hard palate (palatal), velum (velar), or glottis (glottal).

2. Manner of articulation: This refers to the way in which the airflow is modified or obstructed. Consonants can be classified based on whether the airflow is completely blocked (stops), partially blocked (fricatives), or diverted through a narrow passage (affricates, nasals, liquids, and glides).

3. Voicing: This refers to the vibration of the vocal cords during the production of a sound. Consonants can be classified as voiced or voiceless, depending on whether the vocal cords are vibrating or not.

These articulatory features play a crucial role in distinguishing and categorizing different vowels and consonants in various languages.