Understanding Speech Sounds: Phonetics and Phonology

Types of Consonants

Plosive: A consonant segment whose articulation involves a complete closure at some point in the vocal tract, held long enough for the air pressure to build up, followed by a sudden release of the trapped air so that it is released explosively. When the articulators separate, the air is released, producing a slight explosion sound: /p, t, k, b, d, g/. The term oclusiva is generally preferred in Spanish rather than plosiva.

Fricative: