452

EXPLANATION OF WHISPERED SPEECH.

mysterious. The only audible sound in whispering is that of a forced current of air; and the formation out of it of syllables and words is by resonance without voice, the resonating changes in the buccal and nasal cavities being identical with those when the vocal chords vibrate. It requires more lungpower to produce this audible current of air than it does to produce sound by vibration of the vocal chords when they are under tension, and for this reason whispering is more

tiresome than speaking. A little reflection will show that in whispered speech there can be no double consonants, such as we call vocal and breath consonants. Vocal consonants can not exist in true whispered speech; consequently, whispered language is deprived of eight elements which enter into articulate speech. Papa and Baba in whisper are the same, so are also Ko and Go, etc.

We have thus described all the so-called consonantal sounds of the English language save two, and arranged them

THE FORMATION OF L.

453

in two classes, the first class consisting of three groups of trios, and the second class of six pairs. The two exceptions to this classification are L and R, both of which partake as much of the vowel character as the consonantal, and are usually called semi-vowels.

L is produced by holding the tip of the tongue in contact with the gum as in T, but relaxing it at the sides, and uttering through this passage the vocal current. In Fig. 327 this relaxation of the sides is shown by a lighter band across the tongue. In Fig. 328 this contact with the roof of the

mouth is seen to be only in front. L also receives some characteristic augmentation from the vibrations of the sides of the tongue as the current passes. Physiologically the sounds of L and D are so nearly alike that D is confined in the mouth and L escapes at the sides of the tongue, all the other organs being in the same position. Their near relationship is readily observed by the ease with which they are both sounded in words where they come together, as in "handle";; the L then takes the place of a vowel, the two sounds blending without the interposition of a vowel. During its production the palate and pharyngeal wall must be in contact,

454

MECHANISM AND FORMATION OF R.

or the sound will be imperfect. Although not entirely destroyed, it will be nasalized by the escape.

In Fig. 329 is shown the position of the tongue in making the sound of R. The oral cavity at the time of the formation. of this sound corresponds with that in the production of the Vowel AH. In fact, many people sound R so slightly that it is little if anything more than the vowel AH. But the formation of R requires that the tip of the tongue should be

pointed upward and vibrated while the current is passing. With some the tip of the tongue is distinctly felt against the roof of the mouth during these vibrations; while with others it is below, as represented in the illustrations. Neither does it seem requisite that the tongue should be pointed to the same locality in the roof-it may be farther forward or farther back. The sound of R is produced by the rapid interruption of the voice, in the above-described manner, in the middle of the mouth. In some languages this sound is

C, W, X, ETC., REPETITIONS OF OTHER LETTERS. 455

much more marked and distinct than it is generally made in English. With some English-speaking people it is an affectation of refinement to banish it almost entirely.

The foregoing explanation comprises nearly all the distinct sounds which form the English language. The sounds of the other letters of the alphabet not here named are either repetitions or combinations of those described, or are not so distinctive in their mechanism as to be illustrated by diagrams. For example, C is a repetition of K, or S, as it is used either hard or soft. G soft is the same as J, and W is

so nearly the vowel "OO" that a diagram can not illustrate any appreciable variation. X is a combination of K and S, etc., etc.

The foregoing descriptions and diagrams are not advanced as the only method by which the different sounds they illustrate can be produced. They are nevertheless believed to be

* Bristowe says: "The sound of the English vocal W differs from the Vocal 00 mainly in the fact that the fundamental vowel-sound is produced in the larynx, and receives its coloring from the oral cavity; while the distinctive sound of the consonant, though also colored by the resonance of the oral cavity, is manufactured at the labial orifice."

456 USUAL CLASSIFICATION OF CONSONANTS UNSATISFACTORY.

the arrangements of the various organs which are universally found to be the easiest, and most in conformity with physiological function. As a scientific experiment, many of the sounds can be perfectly produced or closely imitated in some other way. For example, S can be made with the tip of the tongue curled backward in the roof of the mouth, T may be made with the tongue placed at various points, etc., and even musical instruments and machines can be made to produce vowels, and to a limited degree consonants. Children do not place their organs for articulation as the result of scientific teaching, but as the result (not the cause) of the effort to imitate the sound; and, as the action of the organs acquired in that way is almost universally identical, it proves the one to be normal and the variations abnormal.

I have adopted the usual divisions and designations of vowels, consonants, and semi-vowels, but it is a classification that will hardly satisfy any one who becomes familiar with the subject. Of the so-called consonants, nearly one half are not consonant—i. e., with sound (vocal sound) or sounding with. P, B, T, D, K, and G are called mutes; but B, D, and G are certainly not mute, nor are P, T, or K mute than F, Th, or others.

any more

The table on page 457 shows a classification more in accordance with their mechanism. This table, proceeding from right to left, may represent the oral tube or cavity from the vocal chords to the lips inclusive, and the sections indicate the points along the line where the sounds are made or checked.

The following explanation of the mechanism of vocal articulation supposes the normal integrity of all the organs concerned, each fulfilling its natural function. In the production of all the vowel-sounds of the English language the veil of the soft palate is elevated and hugs the posterior wall of the pharynx. This is essential to the formation of resonating cavities of uniform tone-character. Consequently, if the palate be destroyed or congenitally absent, a new resonating