Generating and understanding speech

Speech occurs by air being forced past the vocal chords, which then begin to vibrate. The vibrations become a fundamental tone, which is reinforced in the oral and nasal cavity. The more air forced past the vocal chords per time interval, the stronger the sound – it is here that the volume at which we speak is determined. By placing the tongue and the lips in different positions we form the different sounds we call letters – vowels and voiced and unvoiced consonants. The vowels (a, e, o etc.) are a direct extension of the fundamental tone and are relatively strong compared to the voiced consonants (b, d, m etc.).

 

The vowels are also a lower frequency and the consonants a high frequency. While the vowels create the sound volume of speech, it is the consonants which are the bearers of information. This can be demonstrated in a very simple way – leave out the vowels when you whisper and it is still possible for the information to be heard in its entirety.

 

Try this in a more visual way by writing down a sentence, first with all the consonants removed and then with all the vowels taken out instead. Which is the easiest to read?