Here are some key characteristics of consonants:
* Obstruction: Airflow is blocked or significantly restricted during pronunciation.
* Place of articulation: Where in the mouth the obstruction occurs (e.g., lips, teeth, palate).
* Manner of articulation: How the air is obstructed (e.g., stopping, fricating, affricating, etc.).
* Voicing: Whether or not the vocal cords vibrate during pronunciation.
Examples of consonants:
* b, d, g, p, t, k: Stop consonants (airflow is completely blocked)
* f, v, s, z, th, sh: Fricative consonants (airflow is partially obstructed)
* m, n, ng: Nasal consonants (air escapes through the nose)
* l, r: Liquid consonants (air escapes around the sides of the tongue)
* w, y: Glide consonants (similar to vowels but with more obstruction)
Consonants vs. Vowels:
Unlike vowels, consonants typically involve a greater obstruction of airflow, making them sound less "open" or "resonant." Vowels, on the other hand, are produced with an open vocal tract, allowing for free airflow.