Phonetics And Phonology Questions Medium
Voiced and voiceless sounds are two categories of sounds in phonetics and phonology that are distinguished by the presence or absence of vocal cord vibration during their production.
Voiced sounds are produced when the vocal cords vibrate, resulting in a buzzing or humming sensation in the throat. This vibration creates a periodic waveform in the sound wave, giving it a characteristic pitch. Examples of voiced sounds include vowels like /a/, /i/, and /u/, as well as consonants like /b/, /d/, and /g/.
On the other hand, voiceless sounds are produced without vocal cord vibration. The vocal cords remain open, allowing air to pass freely through the glottis. As a result, voiceless sounds have a more turbulent airflow and lack the characteristic pitch associated with voiced sounds. Examples of voiceless sounds include vowels like /e/, /o/, and /ɑ/, as well as consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/.
The main difference between voiced and voiceless sounds lies in the presence or absence of vocal cord vibration. This distinction is crucial in phonetics and phonology as it helps to differentiate between sounds and plays a significant role in language-specific phonological patterns and rules.