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
