Unit 11: Alveolar Consonants

Unit 11: Alveolar Stops /t/ and /d/

This unit focuses on two alveolar stop consonants: /t/ and /d/. Both sounds share the same place of articulation — the alveolar ridge, the small bumpy area just behind your upper front teeth.

How to produce them:

• Place the tip of your tongue firmly against the alveolar ridge.
• Block the airflow completely, then release it in a small burst.
• For /t/: voiceless and aspirated at the start of stressed syllables (a puff of air follows the release, as in time, take).
• For /d/: voiced — your vocal cords vibrate during the closure.

Key points for learners:

• In American English, /t/ between vowels often becomes a flap /ɾ/ (e.g., water, better, city).
• Final /t/ and /d/ must be released clearly — don't drop them (cat, bed).
• Don't substitute a dental sound (tongue between the teeth) for these alveolar stops.