Here's a breakdown:
1. Sound Production: Air from the lungs is pushed through the vocal cords, creating a basic sound.
2. Resonance: This sound travels through the resonators (pharynx, nasal cavity, mouth) where it is amplified and modified.
3. Articulation: The articulators (tongue, teeth, lips, soft palate, hard palate) then manipulate this resonated sound, shaping it into the specific sounds of language.
Think of it like this:
* Imagine blowing into a trumpet. The air from your lungs is like the initial sound.
* The trumpet's bell is like the resonators. It amplifies and colors the sound.
* The valves on the trumpet are like the articulators. They change the shape of the airflow and produce different notes (sounds).
Articulation is the final step in creating speech sounds that are clear and understandable.