What is consonant?

Consonants are phonetic sounds that are produced by obstructing the airflow through the mouth with the help of the articulators, such as the lips, teeth, tongue, or palate. Unlike vowels, consonants have less variation in their acoustic qualities and are characterized by their distinct and often abrupt sound patterns.

In the English language, there are 21 consonant phonemes that can be further divided into two categories, based on their production characteristics:

1. Voiced consonants: These consonants are produced with vibration of the vocal cords, which results in a more sonorous and resonant sound. Examples of voiced consonants include 'b', 'd', 'g', 'v', 'z', etc.

2. Voiceless consonants: These consonants are produced without the vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in a more abrupt and tense sound. Examples of voiceless consonants include 'p', 't', 'k', 'f', 's', etc.

Consonants are used extensively in building words and syllables in any language. They play a crucial role in the structure and meaning of words, and their accurate pronunciation is an essential part in achieving clear communication.