Types of PHONEMES: vowels and consonants

a phoneme It is the smallest phonological unit that exists in a linguistic system. That means that the words are the result of the union of different phonemes that acquire a meaning. The phonological system is the inventory of all the sounds of a language. These units cannot be broken down into smaller units and are divided into two broad categories: vowel phonemes and consonant phonemes.

In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we want to explain these two types of phonemes, so that you can understand how the Spanish language is structured.

The vowel phonemes They are one of the types of phonemes that exist. In our alphabet that It comes from the Latin, we use five characters to represent the vowel phonemes, also known as the vowels: /A/, /E/, /I/, /O/ and /U/. However, these phonemes are not watertight elements that are always pronounced the same, but are modified by a few variables.

According to the location

Also known as the point of articulation, it tells us andat what point of the mouth the sound of that vowel is articulated. We can differentiate between different zones:

• the previous area (/E/ and /I/)
• the central area (/TO/)
• the back area (/O/ and /U/)

The opening

tells us how open is our mouth when we pronounce the vowel We can differentiate between three types of openings:

• open vowels (/TO/)
• semi-open vowels (/E/ and /O/)
• closed vowels (/I/ and /U/).

The consonantal phonemes are consonant letters, which need a vowel for the elaboration of morphemes. They are: B/, /C/, /D/, /F/, /G/, /H/, /J/, /K/, /L/, /M/, /N/, /Ñ/, /P/, /Q/, /R/, /S/, /T/, /V/, /W/, /X/, /Y/, /Z/. Consonantal phonemes also have a certain classification, taking into account various intrinsic features in consonantal sounds.

the mode of articulation

looking at how the mouth moves when we emit the sound of consonant phonemes, we can classify them into the following categories:

• Occlusive: The mouth closes completely for a moment. For example: /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
• Fricative: The air enters the mouth and brushes producing the sound. For example: /f/, /z/, /j/, /y/, /s/
• Affricate: A sound is produced by occlusion and then comes a friction. For example: /ch/
• Side: The air enters the mouth brushing the sides of the cavity. For example: /l/, /ll/
• Vibrant: When the air enters the mouth it makes a small vibration in the mouth as it passes. For example: /rr/, /r/.
• Nasal: A part of the air that we take in to speak comes out through the nostrils. For example: /m/, /n/, /ñ/

The localization

Considering the mouth and tongue position in sound, we can differentiate between the following types of consonant phonemes:

• Bilabial: When lips touch. For example: /p/, /b/, /m/
• Labiodental: When the lower lip is touching the upper teeth in the mouth. For example: /f/.
• Interdental: It occurs when the tongue is located between the teeth. For example: /z/, /c/
• Dental: The tongue is positioned behind the teeth in these types of consonants. For example: /t/, /d/
• Alveolar: The tongue is located on the root of the upper teeth. For example: /s/, /l/, /r/, /rr/, /n/.
• Palatal: The tongue crashes against the palate. For example: /ch/, /ll/, /ñ/, /y/
• To ensure: The tongue is placed on the soft palate. For example: /k/, /g/, /j/.

Sound

We can also classify consonant phonemes taking into account the sound they make:

• thud: The vocal cords DO NOT vibrate. For example: /p/, /t/, /ch/, /k/, /z/, /s/, /j/, /f/
• audible sound: The vocal cords DO vibrate. For example: /b/, /d/, /g/, /y/, /m/, /n/, /ñ/, /l/, /ll/, /r/, /rr/

All words have vowel phonemes, therefore, we can deduce that these sounds are essential to communicate. let's get you some examples of words with vowel phonemes, separated taking into account the categories that we have explained in the previous section.

According to the location

Examples of vowel phonemes according to the location:

• Previous zone: ANDheandfante, YoglesYoto
• Central zone: TOlmtocen, Rtoyouto
• rear area: EITHERyeseither, úuseful

according to the opening

Examples of vowel phonemes according to the opening:

• Open vowels: Closet, Before
• semi-open vowels: EITHERstra, ANDstar, ANDstreitherfa
• closed vowels: ORyou go, YolusYoon

Now we are going to put some examples of consonant phonemes and we have divided them taking into account the characteristics that we have told you about in theory.

the mode of articulation

These are some examples of consonant phonemes taking into account the mode of articulation:

• Occlusive: Parilla, beitherdeguero, dtodeither, dwow, donation, youbreak
• Fricative: Sillion, yesshelar, zsocket, jact
• Affricate: chocolate, chorizo, cuchnow
• Side: llllove, heorocco, heiviano, ohllar
• Vibrant: R.wow, porton, roina, torrdrink, porsuch
• Nasal: Ñor, mtoñAna, mtonotonotial, toñpray

The localization

We leave you some examples of consonant phonemes according to the location of the sound in the mouth:

• Bilabial: mtomá, mhose, pmistake, pelota, bhear, bwow.
• Labiodental: Ffunding, Ffinal, Fabula
• Interdental: C.inta, zsidekick, C.enizo, zgold
• Dental: D.mind, youlaugh, danddto the, deleventh, youtransportation, youtram
• Alveolar: Pmistake, noboy, yesget out, heuz, heagardude, raton, noacer
• Palatal: chicle, anda what, chuleta, llover, anderba
• To ensure: kilo, guar, gtie, gwearable, jiraffe, jjustly

Sound

We also give you some examples of consonants that are pronounced taking into account the sound they make:

• dull sound: Ayesyoullto, tosperyeseitherr
• Sonorous sound: Zócaheor, asenotami.e.noto

We hope this UNTEACHER lesson has helped you better understand vowel and consonant phonemes. If you want to continue learning more about this topic, do not hesitate to consult our section on grammar and linguistics where we will give you all the tools you need to fully understand the secrets of the Spanish language.