NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What does nasalization refer to in phonetics?

1. A sound produced with mouth closure

2. A sound produced when air comes through the nose

3. A sound made with a whisper

4. A sound that lacks clarity

The correct answer is: A sound produced when air comes through the nose

Nasalization in phonetics refers to sounds that are produced with the airway through the nasal cavity open, allowing air to flow through the nose while producing a sound. This phenomenon typically occurs in certain speech sounds, such as nasal consonants like /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/. During the production of these sounds, the soft palate lowers, which enables the air to escape through the nose, resulting in a characteristic quality often described as "nasal." The other options do not accurately define nasalization. Mouth closure is not a defining feature of nasalization, and while whispering can alter sound quality, it does not involve nasal airflow. Lastly, a sound that lacks clarity does not pertain to the nasal quality but may refer to other articulatory issues or speech disorders. Hence, recognizing that nasalization specifically pertains to the airflow through the nose clarifies its definition in phonetic terms.