Page:The Making of Latin.djvu/29

Rh called the Vocal Chords, or, better, the Vocal Edges. When the Edges are relaxed and folded up the current of air passes unmodified and inaudible into the mouth; the current is then called, and any sounds made with it in the mouth are said to be , such as p, t, f; or s in Eng. so, mist (often written c as in rice).

§ . But when the current of air has to pass between the Vocal Edges fully stretched, they vibrate and impart their vibration to the current. This so receives from them a musical quality, and is called, and the sounds which it produces are said to be , such as b, d, v; or z in Eng. size (often written s, as in is, rose).

§ . The Vocal Edges can be stretched to different degrees of tightness; and in singing, the higher the note required the greater the tension; that is, the more tightly are the Edges stretched.

§ . are produced by, as their name implies, passing through the mouth while the tongue and the lips are held in some particular.

For a (as in Eng. father) the tongue is low in the mouth, its highest point being near the back. For e (as in Eng. men or as in Fr. passé) the tongue is raised so that its highest point is about in the middle of the mouth. For i (short in Eng. pit, long in Eng. machine) the tongue is raised high near the front of the palate. o (as in Eng. bond) and u (as in Eng. pull, push) are made