Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process or act of producing vocal sound: Specifically, the sound created when the vocal folds vibrate, which is then shaped by the vocal tract (the throat, mouth, and nasal passages). It is the physical process of voice production.

Usage

• Phonation is a technical term used primarily in linguistics, speech pathology, and vocal pedagogy. It refers to the physiological act of making a sound with the voice, distinct from the articulation of specific speech sounds.
• It is often used to discuss the quality, mechanism, or disorders of voice production.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The study examined the phonation patterns of professional singers.
  • A disorder affecting the larynx can disrupt normal phonation.
  • The phonation of vowels involves a steady flow of air through the vibrating vocal folds.

Advanced Usage

• Modal vs. Non-Modal Phonation: In linguistics, modal phonation refers to the regular vibration of the vocal folds used in normal speech and singing. Other types include creaky voice (very slow, irregular vibration) and breathy voice (vocal folds do not close completely, allowing air to escape).
  • The linguist analyzed the use of creaky phonation in that language.

Variants and Related Words

• Phonate (verb): To produce a vocal sound.
  • The patient was asked to phonate the vowel /a/.
• Phonatory (adjective): Relating to phonation.
  • The phonatory mechanism is complex.

Synonyms

• Voicing: (In phonetics) The vibration of the vocal folds that accompanies the production of a sound.
• Vocalization: The act of producing sound with the voice. (Note: This can also refer to a specific uttered sound or a non-linguistic vocal sound.)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Onset of Phonation: The moment when the vocal folds begin to vibrate to start a voiced sound.
  • A hard glottal stop involves a sudden onset of phonation.
• Phonation Type: A category of sound production based on the state of the glottis (e.g., voiced, voiceless, breathy).
  • Different phonation types can change the meaning of words in some languages.

Noun

1. the sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract
   • a singer takes good care of his voice
   • the giraffe cannot make any vocalizations