Here's a breakdown:
How they work:
* Constricted Airflow: Unlike stops, which completely block airflow, fricatives create a narrow passage for the air to escape.
* Friction: The airflow is forced through this narrow passage, causing friction and producing the characteristic sound.
Types of Fricatives:
* Labiodental: Made by placing the lower lip against the upper teeth (e.g., /f/ and /v/).
* Dental: Made by placing the tongue against the back of the upper teeth (e.g., /θ/ and /ð/).
* Alveolar: Made by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge behind the upper teeth) (e.g., /s/ and /z/).
* Post-alveolar: Made by placing the tongue slightly behind the alveolar ridge (e.g., /ʃ/ and /ʒ/).
* Palatal: Made by placing the tongue against the hard palate (the roof of the mouth) (e.g., /ç/ and /j/).
* Velar: Made by placing the tongue against the soft palate (the back part of the roof of the mouth) (e.g., /x/ and /ɣ/).
* Glottal: Made by constricting the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords) (e.g., /h/).
Examples in English:
* /f/ as in "fish"
* /v/ as in "voice"
* /θ/ as in "thin"
* /ð/ as in "this"
* /s/ as in "sun"
* /z/ as in "zoo"
* /ʃ/ as in "ship"
* /ʒ/ as in "vision"
* /h/ as in "house"
Summary:
Fricatives are consonants characterized by a hissing or buzzing sound produced by constricting airflow through a narrow passage in the vocal tract. They are a common type of consonant found in many languages, including English.