fricatives

English Pronunciation

Fricatives are median or central sounds

Made with the organs in the mouth close together, so that the air as it passes between the narrow opening gets turbulent and produces audible friction

Step 1	Light contraction in the mouth made by a movement of the tongue or lips
Step 2	The air forces its way through tongue and teeth

There are 9 fricative consonants in English:

Voiced and voiceless: /s/ voiceless blade alveolar fricative /z/ voiced blade alveolar fricative

Method 1 Light contraction between (a) tip, rim of the tongue and (b) upper alveolar ridge	Method 2 The tip is lowered. Light contraction between (a) blade, rim of the tongue and (b) upper alveolar ridge
For /s/, the vocal cords are NOT in vibration. More energy is required. For /z/, the vocal cords are in vibration. Less energy is required.

[ Pronunciation : Consonant : Fricative consonants]