A sound made by restricting the flow of air, which may result in friction is called?

A sound made by restricting the flow of air, which may result in friction is called?

• A. Consonant
• B. Vowel
• C. Diphthong
• D. Syllable

Answer: (A)

Consonants are sounds produced by restricting the airflow in the vocal tract, which can create friction as air passes through a narrowed opening or is briefly blocked and released. This constriction is the key that sets consonants apart from vowels, which are formed with a relatively open vocal tract and little to no tight constriction. Diphthongs are vowel sounds that glide from one vowel quality to another, and a syllable is a unit of rhythm around a vowel. So the described sound—made by restricting airflow and potentially producing friction—fits with a consonant.

Consonants are sounds produced by restricting the airflow in the vocal tract, which can create friction as air passes through a narrowed opening or is briefly blocked and released. This constriction is the key that sets consonants apart from vowels, which are formed with a relatively open vocal tract and little to no tight constriction. Diphthongs are vowel sounds that glide from one vowel quality to another, and a syllable is a unit of rhythm around a vowel. So the described sound—made by restricting airflow and potentially producing friction—fits with a consonant.