Sound | Tongue | Lips | Jaw | Teeth | Air | Vocal Chords |
---|
/ˈ/ | | | | | | |
/b/ | | The lips start together. Then they separate. | | There is a small gap between the teeth. | First, the air stops. Then, it flows. | The vocal cords vibrate. |
/ɑ/ | The tongue is flat and low in the mouth. The tongue is in the center of the mouth. The tip of the tongue touches the back of the bottom front teeth. | The lips remain relaxed in a neutral position. | The jaw drops, opening the mouth as wide as possible. | | | The vocal cords vibrate. |
/r/ | The tongue forms an arch near the roof of the mouth. It does not touch any part of the mouth. | | | | The air flows through a narrow space in your mouth. | The vocal cords vibrate. |
/ʃ/ | The tongue raises a bit in the middle. It does not touch the roof of the mouth. It presses against the inside corner of the top teeth. The front part of the tongue comes down not touching anything in the mouth. | The corners of the lips are in. The rest of the lips flare. | | The teeth are together. | Air passes through the mouth. | The vocal cords do not vibrate. |
/ʧ/ | Raise the front part of your tongue toward the hard palate, the bony roof of your mouth just behind your upper teeth. The sides of your tongue should touch your upper molars. The tip of your tongue should be behind your upper front teeth. | Keep your lips slightly apart and relaxed. | Keep your jaw slightly open and relaxed. | Touch your upper and lower teeth lightly together. | Push air out of your lungs, through your mouth and over your tongue. | Keep your vocal cords apart, so that the sound is voiceless. |