äänteentekoon

Äänteenteko, also known as speech production, refers to the physiological processes involved in creating spoken sounds. It is a complex interplay of various parts of the vocal apparatus. The process begins with respiration, where air from the lungs is expelled. This airflow is then modulated by the larynx, which contains the vocal cords. When the vocal cords vibrate, they produce sound, a process called phonation. The pitch of the sound can be altered by changing the tension and length of the vocal cords.

Following phonation, the airflow is further modified in the vocal tract, which includes the pharynx, oral cavity (mouth), and nasal cavity. Articulators, such as the tongue, lips, teeth, and palate, shape the sound into distinct speech sounds, or phonemes. The tongue is particularly important, capable of moving in numerous ways to create different vowel and consonant sounds. Lip rounding, spreading, and closure are also crucial for forming various sounds.

The velum, or soft palate, plays a role in distinguishing between oral and nasal sounds. When the velum is raised, air is directed solely through the mouth, producing oral sounds. When it is lowered, air can pass through both the nasal and oral cavities, resulting in nasal sounds like 'm' and 'n'. The coordination of these movements is controlled by the nervous system, allowing for the rapid and precise articulation required for fluent speech.