Stops

Definition

Stops are a type of consonant sound in which airflow is completely obstructed at some point in the vocal tract, creating a build-up of pressure that is released suddenly. This sudden release produces the characteristic sound of stops, which includes both voiced and voiceless variants. Stops are crucial in understanding speech production, as they contribute to distinguishing meaning in different languages and play a significant role in phonetics and phonology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stops can be classified as voiced or voiceless depending on whether the vocal cords vibrate during the articulation, with voiced stops like /b/ and /d/ producing vibration, while voiceless stops like /p/ and /t/ do not.
2. The place of articulation for stops can vary, including bilabial (both lips), alveolar (tongue against the alveolar ridge), and velar (back of the tongue against the soft palate).
3. In many languages, the distinction between voiced and voiceless stops is phonemic, meaning that it can change the meaning of words; for instance, 'bat' vs. 'pat' differ only in their initial stop consonants.
4. Stops are often produced with an accompanying aspiration in some languages like English, where voiceless stops at the beginning of a word are released with a burst of breath.
5. The production of stops involves several stages: closure (complete blockage of airflow), hold (period during which air pressure builds), and release (sudden opening that allows airflow).

Review Questions

• How do voiced and voiceless stops differ in their production and what role do they play in language?
  • Voiced stops involve vocal cord vibration during articulation, while voiceless stops do not. For example, the sounds /b/ (voiced) and /p/ (voiceless) are produced similarly except for this key difference. This distinction is essential for language as it can change word meanings, such as 'bat' versus 'pat', showing how subtle changes in sound can lead to different interpretations.
• Discuss how the place of articulation impacts the characteristics of different stop consonants.
  • The place of articulation refers to where in the vocal tract the airflow is obstructed when producing stop consonants. For instance, bilabial stops like /p/ and /b/ use both lips, while alveolar stops like /t/ and /d/ use the tongue against the alveolar ridge. This variance leads to different acoustic properties and distinguishes these sounds within languages, impacting phonetic representation and pronunciation.
• Evaluate how aspiration affects the perception of voiceless stops in English and its implications for non-native speakers.
  • Aspiration refers to the burst of breath that accompanies voiceless stops when pronounced at the beginning of words in English, such as with /p/ in 'pat'. This feature can cause difficulties for non-native speakers whose languages may not include aspiration, leading to potential confusion or miscommunication. Understanding how aspiration affects perception is crucial for language learners to improve their pronunciation and fluency.

Related terms

Plosives: A specific type of stop consonant characterized by a complete closure in the vocal tract followed by a burst of air, such as /p/, /t/, and /k/.

Fricatives:

Consonant sounds produced by forcing air through a narrow channel created by two articulators, resulting in a turbulent flow, unlike the complete blockage found in stops.

Affricates:

Complex consonants that begin as stops but release into a fricative, such as the sounds represented by /ʧ/ (as in 'chop') and /ʤ/ (as in 'judge').