Consonants

The consonants /kɑnsənəns/ are:
/b/, /k/, /ʧ/, /s/, /d/, /f/, /g/, /h/, /dʒ/, /l/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /p/, /ʒ/, /∫/, /r/, /t/, /θ/, /ð/, /v/, /w/, /y/, /z/, & /ʔ/

Consonants, however, are written like this is English:
b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z

Consonants have restricted airflow.
Some consonants are voiced and some are voiceless.

Consonants are relatively set sounds in English; this means you won't hear many differences in how different native speakers say the same consonants. However, you will hear variation in when native speakers reduce /t/ to Ø, /d/, or /ʔ/.

We have several categories of consonants that we will talk about in this class. They are:

voiced
voiceless
aspirated
sibilants

Written Form:
There are several consonant sounds that have either no written form or no standard written form in English. These are:
/ʔ/, /ʒ/, & /dʒ/

If you want to delve into glottal stops a little more, click here.

There is no written distinction between /θ/ and /ð/. What this means is, when you see a word with the letter "th", you cannot know based on the spelling if the word is pronounced as a voiced or voiceless th.

The letter c can be pronounced /k/, /s/, or Ø
cake- /keyk/
cell- /sɜl/
practice- /præk tIs/
indict- /In dayt/

If you'd like a couple of fun little videos about consonants, you can check out these songs on consonants: here and here.

Homework practice:
Many students say they would like to hear a recording of the homework before they record it. You can find such a recording here. Enjoy and good luck!!

Consonants in Sentences- Teresa


I hope that helps you!