Page:The Making of Latin.djvu/29

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE VOCAL EDGES
15

called the Vocal Chords, or, better, the Vocal Edges. When the Edges are relaxed and folded up the current of air passes unmodified and inaudible into the mouth; the current is then called Breath, and any sounds made with it in the mouth are said to be Breathed, such as p, t, f; or s in Eng. so, mist (often written c as in rice).

§ 26. But when the current of air has to pass between the Vocal Edges fully stretched, they vibrate and impart their vibration to the current. This so receives from them a musical quality, and is called Voice, and the sounds which it produces are said to be Voiced, such as b, d, v; or z in Eng. size (often written s, as in is, rose).

§ 27. The Vocal Edges can be stretched to different degrees of tightness; and in singing, the higher the note required the greater the tension; that is, the more tightly are the Edges stretched.

Vowels, Sonants, and Consonants

§ 28. Vowels are produced by Voice, as their name implies, passing through the mouth while the tongue and the lips are held in some particular position.

For a (as in Eng. father) the tongue is low in the mouth, its highest point being near the back. For e (as in Eng. men or as in Fr. passé) the tongue is raised so that its highest point is about in the middle of the mouth. For i (short in Eng. pit, long in Eng. machine) the tongue is raised high near the front of the palate. o (as in Eng. bond) and u (as in Eng. pull, push) are made