Question

If we look at 5 different fricatives, including the velar fricative /x/ (which is not normally used in English), which is likely to have the LOWEST spectral peaks?

a) /f/
b) /theta/
c) /s/
d) /esh/
e) /x/

Answer 1

Among the options provided, the velar fricative /x/ is likely to have the lowest spectral peaks because it is produced with a large constriction at the back of the vocal tract near the velum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked which of the five fricatives, including the velar fricative /x/ (which is not used in English), is likely to have the lowest spectral peaks. Fricatives are a group of consonants made by the friction of breath in a narrow opening, producing a turbulent air flow. Based on acoustic phonetics, fricatives with a larger constriction and that are produced further back in the vocal tract tend to have lower spectral peaks due to the larger resonating cavity in front of the constriction. Therefore, the velar fricative /x/, which is articulated with a constriction formed at the back of the vocal tract near the velum, is likely to have the lowest spectral peaks among the options provided, which are /f/, /theta/, /s/, /esh/, and /x/.