In this video we are going to have a look at two groups of sounds: sonorants & obstruents.

Sonorants are also sometimes called resonants. These are sounds that are produced with continuous airflow without any restrictions to cause air friction. In English all sonorants are voiced (all the vowel sounds, the 3 nasals, the 2 semi-vowels and 2 liquids).

Obstruents are exactly the opposite. These are sounds that are produced when airflow is restricted (= obstructed hence the name!) which causes air turbulence; or even stopped and then released. Sounds belonging to this group are plosives, fricatives and affricates. They can be voiced or unvoiced.