Here's how it works:
* Air from the lungs: Air is pushed from the lungs through the trachea (windpipe).
* Vocal cords vibrate: As the air passes through the larynx (voice box), it causes the vocal cords to vibrate.
* Sound production: The vibration of the vocal cords produces sound waves.
* Articulation: The sound waves are then shaped and modified by the tongue, lips, teeth, and palate (roof of the mouth) to create the different sounds of speech.
So, while the lungs, trachea, and articulators all play a role in speech, the vocal cords are the primary source of the vibration that creates the sounds we use to communicate.