Contact pattern of /b/ and /p/ in Malay language using electropalatography

Abstract

This article highlights the use of Electropalatography (EPG) to analyse the pattern of consonants /b/ and /p/ production. These plosive consonants occur when the upper and lower lips are brought together bringing the soft palate close to the posterior wall of the throat. This condition causes the air from the lung to be trapped in the mouth and voice channel. Once air is released, two phenomenon occurs. Firstly, if the air vibrates the vocal cord upon release, plosive consonant (/b/) is produced. Secondly, if the air do not vibrate the vocal cord, voiceless plosive consonant (/p/) is produced. This study aimed to observe the differences between the plosive production of /b/ and /p/ among three Malay adults aged from 24 to 52 years old. The subjects were required to wear the Reading EPG palate with 62 electrodes for monitoring their tongue-palate contact. Data were analysed using Articulate Assist 1.18 software. The results highlighted that the contact patterns for /b/ and /p/ productions were almost similar during the articulation. The contact patterns for the production of /p/ and /b/ occurred at the velar zone. However, significant difference was observed on the contact pattern of S1 due to higher upper arch depth.