Now, we're gonna talk a little bit about what a consonant sound is.
Pamela Prather
A consonant sound is some kind of interruption in the vocal stream that creates a sound.
Pamela Prather
Sometimes it can be a very violent interruption like a /p/, /t/, /k/,...
Pamela Prather
...or a softer interruption like /l/ or /m/, or /ʒ/,...
Pamela Prather
In any case, some part of the articulators come together and create that interruption in the vocal stream.
Pamela Prather
Your consonants are either going to be voiced or voiceless.
Pamela Prather
In some cases, you'll have what we call consonant cognates or pairs.
Pamela Prather
These pairs of sounds are made in exactly the same place,...
Pamela Prather
...one is voiced and one is voiceless.
Pamela Prather
An example of that would be your "TH" sound /θ/, /ð/.
Pamela Prather
And there are many samples of that such as a /p/, /b/.
Pamela Prather
Okay, and some are just a simple interruption and there's no voiceless version like /m/,...
Pamela Prather
If there were a voiceless /m/, it would be like this...
Pamela Prather
...doesn't really make any sense, does it?
Pamela Prather
So, when you're working on your consonant sounds,...
Pamela Prather
...just notice them and work on them in your practice sessions.
