Question

What does it mean when speech sounds are affricates?

Options:
A) They are produced with complete closure of the vocal tract.
B) They are characterized by a rapid transition from a consonant to a vowel.
C) They involve frictional airflow between two articulators.
D) They are articulated with the tongue touching the hard palate.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is:

C) They involve frictional airflow between two articulators.

Affricates are consonant sounds that begin with a complete closure of the vocal tract, like a plosive, and then release into a fricative-like sound. This release involves frictional airflow between two articulators, such as the tongue and the roof of the mouth or the tongue and the teeth. Therefore, option C best describes what it means when speech sounds are affricates.