Details on Articulation Points

This is a virtual point of articulation that cannot be specified exactly where these sounds are articulated in, but they flow out from the hollow and are ended with the end of the voice in the airflow virtually.

Second Point: Throat

There are three points in throat or gullet for six letters:

1. Back of the Throat: where leads to thorax, it is the utmost part from the mouth: two letters (ء - هـ) come through there. But point of (ء) is beyond the point of (ه).

2. Middle Throat: (ع - ح) are produced there, the articulation point of (ع) is beyond (ح).

3. Front Throat: The nearest part to the mouth. Two letters (غ - خ) are produced there. Articulation point of (خ) is beyond the articulation point of (غ).

Third Point: Tongue

There are ten points for eighteen letters on tongue:

1. The utmost part of the tongue (back part reaching the throat) with the upper palate: letter (ق) comes out from it.

2. The utmost part of the tongue a bit closer than the point of articulation of (ق) and its opposite part of palate: letter (ك) is produced there. The articulation point of (ك) is closer to mouth than the articulation point of (ق).

3. Middle of tongue and its opposite part of upper alveoli:

It is for articulating three non-prolonged letters (ج – ش - ي).

Non-prolonged (ی) is a voweled (ی) or the non-voweled (ی) that follows no "ِ" /e/ vowel.

It can be the articulation point for letter (ج) by slight touching middle of tongue with the upper alveoli but for (ی) and (ش) there will be a space between tongue and alveoli.

4. One of two edges of the tongue and its opposite part of upper cuspid teeth: The most accurate pronunciations of Arabic letter (ض) are produced here. Articulating (ض) from the left edge of tongue is more common and easier than the left edge.

5. One of two edges of tongue (or both of them) with related parts of upper alveoli: for letter (ل).

Some believe that (ل) can be produced from both edges but the left edge is easier. Some others think usage both edges is possible for articulating it.

للإنسان أسنان ثنايا رباعيـه

Human has incisor and quatrain teeth

وأنياب كل كـالضواحك أربع

And cuspid and incisive are four ones

طواحن ضعف الست أربعة أخر

The six Molar teeth and four others

نواجـذ فاعلمها إذ العلم أرفع

And the wisdom tooth when the knowledge is upon the all.

6. Tongue edge and related upper teeth alveoli: for letter (ن).

7. Tongue edge and what gets in contact with it from the upper teeth alveoli: for letter (ر). Articulation point of (ر) is close to (ن)'s, but it is from the back of the tongue.

8. Tongue edge and the root of upper incisor teeth: for (ط – د – ت). The articulation poit of (ط) is the utmost part then (د) and the n nearest one is (ت).

9. Tongue edge and top of the lower incisor teeth (with letting a little gap between the surface of the tongue and the palate to let the air flow.) for: (س – ص – ز).

10. Tongue edge and the edge of upper incisors: for (ث – ذ - ظ).

Fourth Point: Lips

There are two detailed articulation points for four letters:

1. Between two lips: for producing:

- (ب - م) with contacting lips. Letter (ب) is produced with more pressure.

- Non-prolonged (و) without lips contact. The prolonged (و) is voweled and light (Layen) ones.

2. Inside part of upper lip with the edge of upper incisors: To produce letter (ف).

Fifth Point: Nose

Nose is the cavity above the moth continuing to the throat. It’s the place of articulation for nasalization.

Nasalization is a sound accompany with letters (م) and (ن). However, (ن) is more nasalized than (م).

There are five levels for nasalization:

1. When (م) and (ن) are accentual like (وأنّا), (لمّا) and (آمَنَّا) in:

﴿وَأَنَّـا لَـمَّـا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَى آمَـنَّـا بِهِ فَمَن يُؤْمِن بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْساً وَلَا رَهَقاً﴾ (Al-Jinn: 13) (example 7).

2. The merged (