Phonics Tutor

Primary articulatory features are the basic characteristics used to describe how speech sounds are produced. They focus on the main articulators, their position, and the type of airflow or vibration involved.
1. Place of Articulation
This refers to where in the vocal tract a sound is produced.

Common places include:

Bilabial – both lips (e.g. /p, b, m/)

Labiodental – lower lip + upper teeth (e.g. /f, v/)

Dental – tongue + teeth (e.g. /θ, ð/)

Alveolar – tongue + alveolar ridge (e.g. /t, d, s, z/)

Postalveolar – just behind the alveolar ridge (e.g. /ʃ, ʒ/)

Palatal – tongue + hard palate (e.g. /j/)

Velar – tongue + soft palate (e.g. /k, g, ŋ/)

Glottal – vocal cords (e.g. /h/)

2. Manner of Articulation
This describes how the airflow is modified.
Main manners include:

Plosive (stop) – complete closure, then release (e.g. /p, t, k/)

Fricative – narrow constriction causing friction (e.g. /s, f/)

Affricate – stop + fricative (e.g. /tʃ, dʒ/)

Nasal – air passes through the nose (e.g. /m, n, ŋ/)

Approximant – articulators close but not enough for friction (e.g. /r, j, w/)

Lateral – air flows along the sides of the tongue (e.g. /l/)

3. Voicing
This indicates whether the vocal cords vibrate.

Voiced – vocal cords vibrate (e.g. /b, d, z/)

Voiceless – no vibration (e.g. /p, t, s/)

In summary:
👉 Primary articulatory features = Place of articulation + Manner of articulation + Voicing



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