Phonation (/foʊˈneɪʃən/) is the process of producing sound through vocalization. The spelling of this word reflects its pronunciation. The first syllable, phon, is pronounced with an /o/ sound, as in "phone." The second syllable, -ation, is pronounced with a schwa sound, represented by the symbol /ə/. The letter "o" in the first syllable, and the letters "a" and "o" in the second syllable, all reflect the different vowel sounds heard in the word. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to show how the word is pronounced and spelled.
Phonation is a physiological process in which sounds or speech are produced by the human vocal cords. It refers to the act of creating voiced sounds by the vibration of the vocal folds in the larynx, also known as the voice box. Phonation is an essential component of vocal communication and speech production.
During phonation, the vocal folds come together and vibrate, causing air from the lungs to pass through the glottis, a narrow opening between the vocal cords. This rapid opening and closing action generates sound waves, which can then be shaped by various parts of the vocal tract to create different sounds. The fundamental characteristic of phonation is that it produces voiced sounds, as opposed to unvoiced sounds which do not involve vocal cord vibration.
Phonation is controlled by muscles in the larynx, such as the thyroarytenoid and cricothyroid muscles, which adjust the tension and position of the vocal folds. These muscles work in coordination with the respiratory system, which provides the necessary airflow for phonation.
Disorders or conditions affecting phonation can lead to voice disorders such as hoarseness, vocal nodules, or vocal cord paralysis. Proper training and vocal exercises can be employed to enhance and maintain healthy phonation, which is fundamental for effective communication and speech production.
The utterance of sounds by means of vocal cords.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "phonation" has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from the Greek word "phōnē" (φωνή), which means "voice" or "sound". The suffix "-ation" is derived from the Latin word "-atio", which is used to form nouns indicating an action or process. Therefore, "phonation" essentially means the process of producing sound or voice.