Speech sounds can be characterized by the configuration of [[articulatory system]] during its production. In the case of a [[consonant sound]], since it is produced by restricting the airflow in some part of the [[supra-laryngeal vocal tract]], it can be classified by the location of the maximum restriction. This obstruction or restriction can occur at different points in the vocal tract, such as the lips ([[labial]]), teeth ([[dental]]), alveolar ridge ([[alveolar]]), hard palate ([[palatal]]), soft palate ([[velar]]), uvula ([[uvular]]), glottis ([[glottal]]). A consonant can also be characterized by the active articulator: the lips ([[labial]]), the tip of the tongue ([[coronal]]), or the soft palate ([[velar]]). ![[cons-places-articulation-jurafsky.png|400]] Places of articulation for consonant sounds ([[Jurafsky 2022]]) A [[vowel sound]] can also be characterized by the configuration of [[articulatory system]] during its production. The position of the highest point of the tongue distinguishes a [[front vowel]] from a [[central vowel]] or a [[back vowel]]. The vowel sounds can also be characterized by how close the highest point of the tongue is to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction. A [[close vowel]] or high vowel is produced with the tongue in a higher position than in a [[mid vowel]] or [[open vowel]]. The amount of rounding in the lips during the articulations of a vowel is the [[vowel roundedness]]. ![[vowels-art-ipa.png]] Vowel triangle from the [[International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)]] ([Source](https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/IPAcharts/IPA_chart_orig/IPA_charts_E.html)) Each language has its set of vowels, for example: - [[European Portuguese vowels]] - [[British English vowels]] - [[Spanish vowels]] - [[French vowels]] - [[Italian vowels]] - [[Brazilian Portuguese vowels]]