Lecture Notes on Mouth Posture and Pronunciation

Introduction

• Start with basic settings for mouth posture.
• Previous lessons cover sounds but not mouth posture.
• This lesson focuses on maintaining posture during sound articulation.

Key Concepts

• Mouth Posture: Always maintain basic posture settings.
• Wiggle Room: Flexibility in posture while moving between sounds, similar to a buoy on water.
• Hinge Contact: Must be kept on the fourth tooth.

Consonant Sounds

F and V Sounds

• Posture: Similar for both sounds; F is voiceless, V is voiced.
• Jaw Setting: Needs to be open enough for clear sounds.
• Lip Movement: Bottom lip can pull in or up; avoid excessive tension.

PBM Sounds

• Formation:
  • P is voiceless, B is voiced, M is nasal.
  • Close lips correctly at the center to ensure clarity.
• Lip Closure: Focus on closing the top and bottom middle of the lips to ensure airflow.

T, D, N Sounds

• Placement: Tongue should touch the bump of the alveolar ridge without touching the teeth.
• Tension: Maintain low back tongue position to avoid altering sound quality.

S and Z Sounds

• Voiced vs. Voiceless: Similar posture applied, but Z adds voice.
• Tongue Position: Should be near the top of the mouth, maintaining low back posture.

Sh and J Sounds

• Positioning: Can be slightly back from S and Z; shape and airflow matter.

Tapped D Sound

• Tap Movement: Tap tongue on the alveolar ridge; airflow must be continuous for clarity.

Vowel Sounds

E Sound

• Posture: Front of the tongue lifts; center of gravity remains low.
• Lip Position: Corners pulled back slightly, but lips not required.

Y Sound

• Characteristics: Semi-vowel; can engage back of the tongue.

I Sound

• Tension and Position: Push down on the front area; maintain low back tongue posture.

A Sound

• Difficulty: One of the hardest sounds for learners; requires specific positioning.
• Variability: Can push forward or backward slightly while maintaining hinge contact.

U Sound

• Posture: Maintain low front tongue position; back of the tongue raised.

W Sound

• Characteristics: Similar to U but with more tension; lips should round forward.

O Sound

• Diverse Techniques: Starting from different positions; maintaining the hinge is crucial.

Diphthongs

A

• Starting Point: Center of gravity should shift; needs a clear transition between sounds.

I

• Simplification: Can use existing sounds for easier articulation.

Ow

• Sound Transition: Involves a change from a to uh; keep the tension stable.

Oi

• Posture Dynamics: Engage lips and tongue in a shifting manner throughout the sound.

Conclusion

• Practice: Focus on basic settings before moving to advanced sounds.
• Next Steps: Special exercises and exploring ER and colored sounds in the next lesson.