CONSONANT QUALITIES
Plosive: Part of the vocal tract or mouth is closed, then air is released with a sharp burst
English Examples: “p” in “pet,” “t” in “Tom”
Nasal: Made with the back of the mouth closing up so that air passes through the nasal cavity
English Examples: “n” in “nose,” “m” in “me”
Trill: Made with part of the vocal tract or mouth fluttering rapidly.
English Examples: None in standard English. The “trilled r” in Spanish and Italian.
Tap or Flap: Basically like it sounds. The consonant is made with the tongue quickly “tapping” some part of the mouth.
English Examples: The “t” in “better” in American English. The “r” in Spanish “cara”
Fricative: Made by closing some part of the mouth or vocal tract and pushing air through a small opening.
English Examples: The “f” in “free,” the “s” in “silly”
Lateral Fricative: Made with the tip of the tongue placed against the top teeth, and creating a fricative consonant using the sides of the mouth. If you’re confused about this, don’t worry. It’s used in very few languages.
Lateral Approximant: Made with the tip of the tongue placed against the top teeth, and air coming out the small space between the sides of the tongue and the top of the mouth.
English Example: “l” in “lake”