APPROXIMANT SOUNDS

Where in your mouth are your articulators closest when making this sound? /w/

• lips are rounded and close together

• The tip of your tongue touches your bottom teeth

• Only your top teeth come close to your bottom lip.

For the /w/ sound, is the air completely stopped, made to hiss, or allowed to flow relatively freely with just a narrowing?

• The air is completely stopped for a moment.

• The air is allowed to flow relatively freely with just a narrowing created by the lips and tongue.

• The air is forced through a tiny gap, making a whistling sound.

• The air bumps against the back of your tongue.

Do your vocal cords vibrate when you make this sound? /w/

• No, there's no vibration at all. VOICELESS

• Yes, it vibrates. VOICED

Which part of your tongue comes close to the roof of your mouth (the palate) when you make this sound? /j/

• The very back of your tongue presses against the soft part of the roof.

• • The front or blade of your tongue comes very close to the hard palate.

• The sides of your tongue touch your top teeth.

• Your bottom lip reaches up to touch the roof of your mouth.

Is the airflow blocked, turbulent, or mostly open with just a narrowing? /j/

• The airflow is completely blocked and then released.

• The air rubs together, creating a buzzing sound.

• The airflow is mostly open with just a slight narrowing between the tongue and palate.

• The air goes out through your nose.

Can you feel your throat vibrating when you say this sound? /j/

• Yes, it is a voiced sound

• You shouldn't feel any movement there.

• It feels a little bit shaky, but not really vibrating.

What part of your tongue is involved, and where in your mouth does it get close? /r/

• Your whole tongue lies flat at the bottom of your mouth.

• Your lips are pressed tightly together.

• It can involve the tip of the tongue either curling back towards the alveolar ridge or the palate, or the back of the tongue bunching up in the pharynx.

Is the air stopped, forced through a tight gap, or allowed to pass with less obstruction? /r/

• The air is briefly held back.

• The air is allowed to pass with less obstruction than in fricatives; there isn't significant friction.

• The air shoots out in a puff.

• The air vibrates your front teeth.

Does this sound involve vibration of your vocal cords? /r/

• No, it's a breathy sound.

• Only when it's at the end of a word.

• Yes, it is a voiced sound

Where does your tongue make contact or get very close in your mouth for this sound? /l/

• The tip of your tongue touches your bottom lip.

• The tip and blade of your tongue make contact with the alveolar ridge (the bumpy part behind your upper teeth).

• • The back of your tongue goes up towards the roof of your mouth.

• Your tongue doesn't touch anything; the air just flows out.