TABLE OF CONSONANT SOUNDS,

Arranged with reference to the organs by which they are formed.

M, n, and ng are sometimes called nasal consonants.

The First Step in the practice is the mastery of the consonantal elements. The correct pronunciation of the vowel sounds secures elegance and refinement in speech, but distinctness in utterance depends entirely upon the rapid and energetic articulation of the consonants.

A definite knowledge of the position of the tongue teeth and lips, is essential to the accurate production of these consonantal sounds.

The subtonic b is made by a firm compression of the lips. The vocal resonance, which is heard in the interior of the head and mouth, reaches a maximum when the lips are suddenly opened. Pronounce the word babe and prolong the final b until the sound of the consonant is distinctly apprehended.

The subtonic m is made by a gentle compression of the lips which forces the vocal resonance through the nostrils. Prolong the final consonant in the word maim.

The atonic is formed with the organs in the same position as in making b. The lips are intensely compressed, and the maximum of pressure is followed by an aspirated explosion. Pronounce the word pipe and execute with special force the final consonant.

The subtonic w is the sound of oo, with a slight breathing before the vowel. Let the lips be rounded as in pronouncing oo, and then draw the lips closer to the teeth, and contract the labial aperture as in whistling. The word woe is suggested for practice, woe=w+0. Make the sound of w, then of o, and then blend them.

The diagraph wh is regarded by Bell as a whispered form of w. In forming it, the lips are closely approxima

ted, and then rapidly separated. Pronounce the word when, and endeavor to get the initial sound.

The subtonic v is made by placing the ridge of the under lip against the edges of the upper teeth, and forcing the vocalized breath between the teeth. Care should be taken to raise the upper lip in order to prevent its interfering with the upper front teeth. The world valve is suggested for practice.

The aspirate f is the cognate of v, and is made in the same manner, with this difference only, that the lip and teeth are more closely compressed and the unvocalized breath is more forcibly expelled. Pronounce the word

fife with special force on the final f.

The subtonic th, which is the occasion of so much trouble to foreigners learning our language, is in reality one of the easiest consonants to produce. The tip of the tongue is pressed forcibly under and against the upper front teeth, the lips are slightly parted, and the vocalized breath is expelled between the teeth. The word thine is suggested for practice. The atonic th is a forcible aspiration executed with the organs in a similar position, the only difference being the absence of vocality. Practice the word thin with special reference to the initial sound.

The atonic ch has generally been considered as a com

pound of and sh. This analysis is questioned. The sound is made by placing the tip of the tongue with energy against the interior ridge of upper gum, with the teeth shut. The sudden break of this contact of the organs permits the breath to escape in the sound of the explosive ch. Prolong the final ch in the word church.

The subtonic d is made by placing the tip of the tongue with great energy against the interior ridge of gum over the upper front teeth. The soft palate is raised to prevent the passage of air through the nose. The vocal resonance is by these acts of closure arrested until the maximum of pressure results in the explosive d. Pronounce did until the sound of the final d is fully appreciated.

The subtonic g is produced by carrying the tongue back in a curved position against the palate, thereby compressing the vocalized breath, which issues in the explosive g when the organs relax. Prolong for practice the final in the word gag.

g

The subtonic j has generally been regarded as a compound of d and zh. There is some doubt as to the accuracy of this analysis. The sound is made by arching the fore part of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, forming a temporary contact, which is suddenly broken, allowing the sound to escape with a forcible expulsion. Practice the word judge with special reference to the initial sound.

The atonic k is made by a movement and position of the tongue and palate similar to that used in producing the subtonic g. The compression of breath, however, is much greater, and the consequent explosion more abrupt and forcible. Pronounce the word cake, dwelling with special force upon the final consonant.

The subtonic / is made by raising the tongue toward the roof of the mouth with the tip against the interior ridge of gum over the front teeth, allowing the vocalized breath to escape over the sides of the tongue. Prolong the final consonant in the word lull.

The subtonic n is produced by placing the tip of the tongue against the interior ridge of gum immediately above the upper front teeth, thereby obstructing the oral passage, and forcing the vocalized sound through the nose. Prolong the final n in the word nun.

The subtonic ng is made by bringing the root of the tongue into contact with the soft palate, compelling the sound to escape through the nose. The nostrils are partially closed, so that a marked resonance is produced in the nasal cavities. Prolong the ng in song.

The atonic is made in the same way as the letter d, with this difference; in the case of the t there is an absence of vocality, and the explosive t is heard when the forcible contact of the tip of the tongue with the interior ridge of upper gum is suddenly broken. Pronounce the word tent with special reference to the final consonant.

The vibrant r is made by placing the tongue with the slightest pressure against the interior ridge of gum over the front teeth, and allowing the vocalized sound to pass over the extreme tip, thereby causing it to vibrate. The trill should never be prolonged. The word rap is suggested for practice.

The smooth r is made by a gentle vibration of the entire tongue, which is slightly drawn back and lifted near

the roof of the mouth. Prolong the final consonant in the word war.

The atonics is made by rounding up the tip of the tongue against the interior gum immediately over the front teeth, forming a small aperture for the escape of the breath. The forcible aspiration produced by this partial closure resembles the sound of water under pressure as it escapes from the nozzle of a pipe. Prolong the final consonant in the word cease until the true sound of s is appreciated.

The atonic sh is formed in a manner similar to the subtonic zh, the blade of the tongue being well rounded toward the roof of the mouth, and the breath expelled with great force, giving a highly aspirated sound. Prolong the final sh in the word push.

The consonant y, like the w, is a vowel with a breathing. The organs are placed in very much the same position in making the y as in making long e. The palate and the root of the tongue, however, are brought more closely together, so that the initial sound is a mere buzz or breathing. The pressure of the tongue against the teeth is also much greater than in the production of the vowel. special attention be paid to the initial sound of the word yes.

Let

The subtonic z is made with the organs in the same general position as in making the atonic s. The pressure, however, is very much less, and the breath is vocalized, not aspirated, sound. Prolong the initial consonant

sound in the word zone.

The subtonic zh is produced by raising the whole fore part of the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, with the teeth nearly shut, and allowing a partially vocal sound to escape between the tongue and the teeth. Prolong the final sound in the first syllable of the word azure.

To some the foregoing analysis may seem unnecessarily minute, but exactness in articulation cannot be secured without the closest attention to details in the formation and execution of these consonantal elements. Practice these sounds until they can be made with precision, rapidity, and energy.

The Second Step is the mastery of final combinations. This is the most important step in the practice, for it is the final consonants that we fail to articulate. The method of practice is as follows: take for example the final combination ld.

(1) Articulate the 7, then the d.

(2) Articulate the combination ld.

(3) Pronounce the word bold.

The order of practice suggested above should be strictly pursued, in order that accuracy may be secured, not only in the articulation of each element, but also in the blending of two or more consonants. The pronunciation of the word is also important in practice, as it constantly calls attention to the measure of energy needed in uttering distinctly the closing sounds of words. Practice the final combinations below in the manner indicated above.

ld-bold, hailed, tolled.
lf-elf, wolf, gulf, sylph.
lk-milk, silk, bulk, hulk.
lm—elm, helm, whelm, film.
Ip—help, gulp, alp, scalp.
ls-falls, tells, toils, halls.
lt-fault, melt, bolt, hilt.
lve-elve, delve, revolve.
md-maim'd, claim'd, gloom'd.

ms-streams, gleams, climes.

nd—land, band, and, hand.

ns—dens, runs, gains, gleans.
nk-bank, dank, sank, link.
nce-dance, glance, hence.
nt-ant, want, gaunt, point.
sm-chasm, schism, prism.
sp-asp, clasp, grasp.
st-vast, mast, lest.

ct-act, fact, reject.

pn-op'n, rip'n, weap'n.

kn-tak'n, wak'n, tok'n.

tn-bright'n, tight'n, whit'n.

ble-able, Bible, double.

ple-ample, triple, topple.

bl'd-troubl'd, bubbl'd, doubl'd.

dl'd-cradl'd, saddl'd, idl'd.

mst-arm'st, charm'st.