Organs of Speech – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

The organs of speech are the parts of the human body used to produce speech sounds.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state what the organs of speech are;
2. list the organs of speech and give one function of each;
3. explain what happens to the vocal cords when voiced sounds are produced;
4. explain what happens to the vocal cords when voiceless sounds are produced;
5. give examples of voiced and voiceless sounds.

What are the organs of speech?

The organs of speech are the lungs, vocal cords, velum, hard palate, alveolar ridge, teeth, lips, tongue and other parts that shape the airstream into sounds.

• Lungs: the powerhouse of speech, from which the air flows.
• Vocal cords: two folds in the larynx that may vibrate or stay apart.
• Velum: the soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth.
• Hard palate: the bony part of the roof of the mouth.
• Alveolar ridge: the bumpy ridge just behind the upper front teeth.
• Teeth: the upper and lower teeth, which help in sounds such as /f/ and /v/.
• Lips: the upper and lower lips, which help in sounds such as /p/ and /b/.
• Tongue: the most movable organ, which takes many positions in the mouth.

When we speak, we breathe normally. The airstream flows out from the lungs through the windpipe. The organs above then shape it into speech sounds.

What are the groups of the organs of speech?

The organs of speech fall into three groups: those that supply air, those that produce voice, and those that shape the sound.

What does each organ of speech do?

Each organ of speech has its own work in the making of sounds.

Organs that supply and control the air

• Lungs: push air out when we breathe out, and this air carries speech sounds.
• Windpipe: the tube that carries air from the lungs up to the larynx.
• Larynx: the voice box, which holds the vocal cords and modifies the sounds.
• Glottis: the space between the vocal cords.

Organs that shape the sounds

• Lips: come together or round to make sounds such as /p/, /b/ and /m/.
• Teeth: the upper teeth touch the lower lip for /f/ and /v/.
• Alveolar ridge: the tongue touches it for sounds such as /t/, /d/, /s/ and /n/.
• Hard palate: the tongue rises towards it for the first sound in “yes”.
• Velum: the back of the tongue touches it for /k/ and /g/.
• Uvula: the small piece of flesh hanging at the end of the velum.
• Tongue: its tip, front and back move to different places to make different sounds.
• Nasal cavity: the space in the nose, through which air passes for sounds such as /m/ and /n/.

How is a speech sound produced?

A speech sound is produced when air from the lungs passes through the larynx and is shaped in the mouth or nose.

1. We breathe out, and air leaves the lungs.
2. The air moves up the windpipe to the larynx.
3. The air passes between the vocal cords, which may vibrate or stay apart.
4. The tongue, lips, teeth and other organs shape the air.
5. The air leaves through the mouth or nose as a speech sound.

How do the vocal cords produce voiced and voiceless sounds?

The vocal cords produce voiced sounds when they vibrate and voiceless sounds when they do not.

Voiced sounds

• Position of the vocal cords: they are placed edge to edge, so the glottis becomes narrow.
• Action: when the airstream flows, the vocal cords vibrate.
• Result: voiced sounds are produced.
• Examples: /b/, /d/, /g/, /v/, /z/ and /m/.

Voiceless sounds

• Position of the vocal cords: they are drawn apart, so the airstream flows easily.
• Action: the vocal cords do not vibrate.
• Result: voiceless sounds are produced.
• Examples: /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/ and /s/.

What is the difference between voiced and voiceless sounds?

Simple test for voicing

1. Place your fingers lightly on your throat.
2. Say /z/ and feel the vibration.
3. Say /s/ and feel that there is no vibration.

Vowels and consonants

• Vowels: all the vowels of English are voiced.
• Consonants: a consonant sound may be voiced or voiceless.

Evaluation

1. List all the organs of speech.
2. What happens when the vocal cords are placed edge to edge during the production of a sound?
3. What happens when the vocal cords are drawn apart?
4. Give two examples each of voiced and voiceless consonant sounds.
5. State the work of the lungs in speech.

Assignment

Read about the organs of speech. Then write down five organs of speech and state one function of each.

Reference: Oral English for Schools and Colleges. Pages 1, 2 and 3.