Which of the following is not a nasal sound?

Which of the following is not a nasal sound?

• A. /n/ as in nest
• B. /m/ as in man
• C. /k/ as in cup
• D. /ng/ as in sing

Answer: (C)

The choice identifying /k/ as in "cup" is indeed the correct answer, as it is not a nasal sound. In phonetics, nasal sounds are produced when air flows through the nasal cavity, allowing sounds to resonate in the nose. In contrast, /k/ is a voiceless velar plosive that is articulated by blocking airflow at the back of the mouth with the back of the tongue against the soft palate. This closure does not allow air to escape through the nasal cavity, which is a defining characteristic of nasal consonants. The other sounds listed—/n/, /m/, and /ng/—are all produced with airflow through the nasal cavity. The /n/ sound, as in "nest," is voiced and produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge. The /m/ sound, as in "man," is also voiced and involves bringing both lips together. The /ng/ sound, found in "sing," is a velar nasal, produced with the back of the tongue against the soft palate, allowing for nasal airflow. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role of nasality in consonant sounds.

The choice identifying /k/ as in "cup" is indeed the correct answer, as it is not a nasal sound. In phonetics, nasal sounds are produced when air flows through the nasal cavity, allowing sounds to resonate in the nose. In contrast, /k/ is a voiceless velar plosive that is articulated by blocking airflow at the back of the mouth with the back of the tongue against the soft palate. This closure does not allow air to escape through the nasal cavity, which is a defining characteristic of nasal consonants.

The other sounds listed—/n/, /m/, and /ng/—are all produced with airflow through the nasal cavity. The /n/ sound, as in "nest," is voiced and produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge. The /m/ sound, as in "man," is also voiced and involves bringing both lips together. The /ng/ sound, found in "sing," is a velar nasal, produced with the back of the tongue against the soft palate, allowing for nasal airflow. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role of nasality in consonant sounds.