Voiced and Voiceless Consonant Pairs
Many consonants come in pairs of voiced and voiceless pronunciation. Some examples include d/t, v/f, and b/p.
The only difference between the two consonant is that one has a vibration of the vocal chords (voiced) and one does not (voiceless). Other than that, the tongue, lips, or teeth placement and air flow for the two consonants are the same.
When a vowel is before a voiced consonant, the sound will be held longer.
When a vowel is before a voiceless consonant, the sound will be shorter.
w-i-i-i-de building | white building | |
Voiced | Voiceless | |
The wide building is the white building | wide | white |
I need room in the neat room | need | neat |
The robe is made of rope | robe | rope |
The first prize is for the first price | prize | price |
Save water that is safe water | save | safe |