The level of vibration of the vocal cords determines whether a sound is voiced or unvoiced. If the vocal cords are apart, then air can escape unimpeded. Sounds produced in this way are said to be voiceless. The easiest example of this is to whisper. When you whisper, your glottis is wide open and, therefore, all the sounds produced are voiceless. However, if the vocal cords are very close together, the air will blow them apart as it forces its way through. This makes the cords vibrate, producing a voiced sound.
To feel the distinction between voiced and voiceless sounds is very easy. Place your finger and thumb lightly on your throat. Say ssssssss to yourself. Then say zzzzzzz. Repeat these a few times. Then substitute fffffff and vvvvvvv sounds. You should be able to feel the vibration of the cords when you say zzzzzz and vvvvvv, but nothing when you say sssssss and fffffff.
It is also possible to hear the vibration. Instead of putting your fingers on your throat, put your index fingers in your ears and repeat the above sounds. You should hear a low buzzing sound when you articulate zzzzzz and vvvvvv, but hear almost nothing for the other two sounds.
Voicing is important in a language like English because the meaning of a sound often depends on whether that sound is voiced or not.
For example, 'big' carries a very different meaning from 'pig'.
English has many sounds that are paired up in this manner where articulation and manner are the same, but the meaning is dependant upon whether the sound is voiced or not.
Write down two columns with the headings voice and voiceless. Now, which sounds do you think carry voice and which do not? Many of the sounds are in pairs, but not all of them. When you have finished check your answers with the table on the next page.
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Centre for English Language Teaching