Articulator: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used in linguistics and speech therapy to describe parts of the mouth and throat that produce speech sounds.

• The tongue is an important articulator in the production of various speech sounds.
• Speech therapists often work on strengthening the articulators.

Generally used in anatomical and physiological contexts to refer to the various parts of the body involved in speech production.

• The speech organs include the lips, tongue, and larynx.
• Damage to any speech organ can affect a person's ability to speak clearly.

Often used in musical and professional speaking contexts to refer to the entire system involved in producing voice and sound. It can also be used in a more technical or scientific context.

• Opera singers need to take great care of their vocal apparatus.
• A healthy vocal apparatus is key to effective public speaking.

Use this word when referring to any part of the mouth, such as the tongue, lips, or palate, involved in the production of speech sounds.

• The tongue is an important articulator in forming different speech sounds.
• Speech therapists often focus on strengthening the articulators.

Use this word when discussing the smallest units of sound in a language that distinguish one word from another.

• The phoneme /b/ in 'bat' and /p/ in 'pat' differentiate the two words.
• Learning the different phonemes is essential for mastering pronunciation in a new language.

This term is appropriate in general discussions about the sounds produced in spoken language without delving into technical linguistic terms.

• Children learn to produce different speech sounds as they develop their speaking abilities.
• She worked with a speech therapist to improve her speech sounds.