phonetics :the study of linguistic sounds.

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phonology: is the study  of system  of sounds.

consonants fall  into  the following categories , depending  on what  part of  the anatomy is used to restrict the air flow

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labial: air flow is restricted with lips

dental: air flow is restricted with the teeth

labiodental: air flow  is restricted with the  top teeth on the bottom lip (if both  lips are used  the sound is called bilabial)

alveolar:  air flow  is restricted  by placing  the tongue  on the hard  plated ( alveolum) behind the top front teet.

palatal : air flow  s restricted  by placing the tongue  on the soft palate behind the  alveolum.

velar: air flow  is restricted  by placing  the tongue far back  in te  mouth.

glottal: air flow  is resricted by tightening the folds in the vocal cors (glottis).

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​consonants can also be categorised by  the extent to which the air flow is restricted

​stop: air flow is stopped and released quickly.

​fricative:air flow  is released gradually.

​affricate : air fow is stopped and  realesed graduelly.

​nasal: air flow is channeled through  the nasal cavity.

​liquid: air flow is channeled around the  sides of the tongue.

​glide:  air flow is only  partially restricted (these soinds are often called semi-vowels).