Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/

Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/

Nasals are consonants characterized by the release of airflow through the nasal cavity.

Place of Articulation

• Labial nasal: /m/ is produced by pressing the lips together.
• Dental/alveolar nasal: /n/ is produced by placing the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge.
• Velar nasal: /ŋ/ is produced by pressing the back of the tongue against the soft palate.

Manner of Articulation

• Nasal: The airflow is released through the nasal cavity.

Voicing

• Voiced: All nasal sounds are voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate.

Examples of words containing nasals:

• Labial nasal: “man”, “map”, “am”
• Dental/alveolar nasal: “nan”, “nap”, “an”
• Velar nasal: “sang”, “sing”, “bang”

Key points to remember:

• Nasal release: The airflow is released through the nasal cavity, creating a nasal sound.
• Voiced: All nasal sounds are voiced.
• Place of articulation: The place of articulation varies depending on the specific nasal sound.

Practice:

• Repeat each nasal sound several times, focusing on the correct placement of the tongue and lips.
• Try to identify the nasal sounds in words.
• Practice saying words that contain nasals.
• Syllabus for Pronunciation of English Language