ON THE PLACES OF ARTICULATION AND OBSTRUCTION IN ARTICULATORY PHONETICS WITH REFERENCE TO SOME NORTHERN SOTHO CONSONANTS

Abstract

By way of introduction an evaluation is made of the current interpretation of the places of articulation and obstruction. This is followed by a critical application of these principles to a few consonants in Northern Sotho. The conclusion is drawn that the place of occlusion should not necessarily be regarded as the place of articulation, and that the larynx should be included in the vocal tract. With reference to the place of obstruction, it is concluded that a clear distinction should be made between occlusion and narrowing. Consonants should also be divided into monorganic, bi-organic and compound consonants depending on the number of places of obstruction involved in the articulation of a consonant.