Voicing

The larynx, which sits on top of the trachea, is composed of cartilages held together by ligaments. It houses the vocal cords, which lie horizontally just behind the Adam’s apple (see figure 1). The space between the vocal cords, which is known as the ‘glottis’, assumes different configurations for sounds known as ‘voiced’ and ‘voiceless’. When the cords are apart (open), the air passes freely through the glottis. Sounds made with such a configuration of the glottis are called ‘voiceless’ (see figure 2).

If, on the other hand, the vocal cords are brought together, the air passing through creates vibration, and the resulting sounds are ‘voiced’ (see figure 3).

It is important to point out that the cord vibration is not a muscular action. When the cords are brought close to one another, the passing air creates a suction effect (Bernoulli principle), and the cords are brought together. As soon as the cords are together, there is no suction effect and the cords move apart. As soon as they are apart the suction is reinitiated, and the cycle repeats itself.

One can easily feel the difference between certain voiced and voiceless sounds. If you pronounce the initial sounds of the word pairs sip– zip and cheap– jeep and place your index finger on your Adam’s apple or place your index fingers in both ears, you should feel the buzz created by the voicing of /z/ and /ʤ/; this effect will not be present in the production of their voice less counterparts /s/ and /ʧ/.