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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Fricative and Affricate?

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Fricatives and affricates are two types of consonants that differ in their manner of articulation. The main difference between them is:

  • Fricatives: These consonants are produced by forcing air through a narrow channel made by placing two articulators together. They create a "hissing" sound, which is produced by the air escaping through a small passage in the mouth. Examples of fricatives include /f/, /v/, /θ/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, and /ʒ/.
  • Affricates: These are complex consonants that begin as plosives and end as fricatives. They are usually homorganic, meaning both the plosive and fricative are made with the same articulator. Affricates are produced by stopping the flow of air somewhere in the vocal tract and then releasing the air comparatively slowly, creating friction. In English, there are only two affricative sounds: /ʧ/ (ch sound) and /ʤ/ (j sound).

In summary, fricatives are characterized by a hissing sound produced by air escaping through a small passage in the mouth, while affricates begin as plosives and end as fricatives, combining two types of sounds in one consonant.

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  • What is the Difference Between Fricative and Affricate?
  • Comparative Table: Fricative vs Affricate

    • Comparative Table: Fricative vs Affricate

    Fricatives and affricates are two types of consonants that differ in their manner of articulation. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:

    Feature Fricative Affricate
    Definition Fricatives are consonants produced by forcing air through a narrow channel made by placing two articulators. Affricates are complex consonants that begin in a plosive and end as a fricative.
    Articulation Fricatives are produced by narrowing the airflow through the vocal tract, creating turbulence. Affricates consist of a stop or plosive followed by a fricative release.
    Examples Common fricatives in English include /f/, /v/, /s/, and /z/.Glottal fricatives are produced by the frication between the vocal cords, with /h/ being the only glottal fricative in English. There are only two affricative sounds in present-day English: /ʧ/ (ch sound) and /ʤ/ (j sound). Both are homorganic, with /ʧ/ being voiceless alveopalatal affricate and /ʤ/ being a voiced alveopalatal affricate.

    In summary, fricatives are characterized by the narrowing of the airflow through the vocal tract, while affricates involve a stop or plosive followed by a fricative release.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.