Introduction
Fricative Continuants are sounds that are produced by combining a lack of voicing with constrictions in air flow through the vocal tract, with different sounds being produced by varying the place and the amount of constriction. These include F, H, S, SH, and TH- (without voice).
An example of Fricative versus Voiced Continuant would be the difference between the sound TH without voice (like in the word "think") versus with voice (like in the word "the"). Both involve the same lip and tongue position, but the former does not activate the voice, while the latter does.
Physiology
Physical characteristics of producing Fricative Continuants sounds include:
- Closure of the vocal folds
- Contraction of muscles needed to initiate movement of the air stream
- Lack of voice throughout the sound
- Movement of the tongue and lips to a specific location
- Varying the degree on constriction for both the tongue and lips