Phonetics And Phonology Questions Medium
Plosives and fricatives are two different types of consonant sounds in phonetics and phonology.
Plosives, also known as stops, are consonant sounds that are produced by completely blocking the airflow in the vocal tract and then releasing it abruptly. This results in a brief and explosive burst of sound. Examples of plosives include the sounds /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/. When producing plosives, the airflow is completely stopped at a specific point of articulation, such as the lips (for /p/ and /b/), the alveolar ridge (for /t/ and /d/), or the velum (for /k/ and /g/).
Fricatives, on the other hand, are consonant sounds that are produced by forcing the airflow through a narrow passage in the vocal tract, creating a turbulent noise. Unlike plosives, fricatives do not involve a complete blockage of airflow. Examples of fricatives include the sounds /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, and /ʒ/. When producing fricatives, the airflow is constricted at a specific point of articulation, such as the lower lip and upper teeth (for /f/ and /v/), the alveolar ridge (for /s/ and /z/), or the postalveolar region (for /ʃ/ and /ʒ/).
In summary, the main difference between plosives and fricatives lies in the way the airflow is manipulated during their production. Plosives involve a complete blockage and sudden release of airflow, resulting in a brief burst of sound, while fricatives involve a partial blockage and continuous forcing of airflow, creating a turbulent noise.