point of articulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "point of articulation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of linguistics or phonetics to refer to the specific location in the vocal tract where a sound is produced. Example: "In phonetics, the point of articulation for the sound 'p' is the lips, where the airflow is stopped and then released."

✓ Grammatically correct

Linguistics

Phonetics

Anatomy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In English the t sounds in the words "hit," "tip," and "little" are allophones; phonemically they are considered to be the same sound although they are different phonetically in terms of aspiration, voicing, and point of articulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For much of its history, the development of Kingston, Jamaica was predicated upon its role as a point of articulation and trade between the metropolitan centre and the colonial periphery.

Cities

In Old Armenian they formed a system of 15 phonemes with three types of articulation voiced, voiceless, and voiceless aspirated in every point of articulation: b-p-p'; d-t-t'; g-k-k'; j-c-c' ( /=  dz/-/= ts/- /= ts'/); ǰ-č-č'  (/ =  English j/-/= English ch/-/= ch'/).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The point of articulation between the cervical and thoracic vertebrae of giraffes is shifted to lie between the first and second thoracic vertebrae (T1 and T2), unlike most other ruminants where the articulation is between the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and T1.

Wikipedia

Since the photographs were taken perpendicular to the plane of articulation, we did not include the point of articulation in adjacent subsets in order to recreate thin plate spline deformations of the entire head data set.

Plosone

No point of articulation forces the tongue to protrude between the dental arches.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Each 12-inch scale Star Wars figure has five points of articulation and weapon accessories.

Independent

And, in language not lost on a band that fashions itself as "ultra-geek-friendly," SEG is hyping the toys' "16 points of articulation" -- the better for positioning arms and legs in a ready-to-shoot stance.

The New York Times

"We wanted to create a collector-doll feel," said Mr. Varadi, who gave the Liv dolls glasslike eyes, glossy hair, interchangeable wigs and 14 points of articulation that make them easy to dress.

The New York Times

The harmonic movement to the cadence, a prime means of establishing points of articulation, became by the mid-18th century a more or less standard progression of harmonies subject to variation according to the composer's own powers of imagination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Old Chinese has two more relevant points of articulation, or sound-producing positions of the mouth, than Proto-Tibeto-Burman: palatal (in which the tongue blade touches the palate) and retroflex (in which the tip of the tongue is curled upward toward the palate).

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing phonetics or linguistics, use "point of articulation" to precisely identify where in the vocal tract a sound is formed. For example, specify "the point of articulation for 't' is alveolar" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "point of articulation" when you actually mean manner of articulation. The point refers to where the sound is produced (e.g., lips, teeth), while the manner refers to how it's produced (e.g., stop, fricative).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of articulation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific location or position where something is articulated, be it a sound in phonetics or a joint in anatomy. Examples from Ludwig show its consistent use in these contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

News & Media

23%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "point of articulation" is a grammatically sound and technically precise term, most commonly used in linguistics, phonetics, and anatomy to denote a specific location where articulation occurs. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage in academic and scientific fields. While "place of articulation" is a highly similar alternative, understanding the subtle differences ensures precise communication. Avoiding confusion with 'manner of articulation' is crucial for accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Place of articulation

This alternative is more commonly used in phonetics to describe where a sound is produced in the vocal tract.

Articulatory point

This alternative emphasizes the action of articulation rather than the location.

Location of joint

This alternative is used in anatomical contexts to describe the position of a joint.

Joint location

This is a more concise way to specify where a joint is situated.

Articulatory gesture

This focuses on the movement involved in producing a sound, rather than the specific point.

Spot of articulation

This is a less formal variation that uses "spot" instead of "point".

Articulation position

This term is more generic focusing on the position during the articulation.

Locus of articulation

This alternative, using "locus", is a more formal way to refer to the place of articulation.

Nexus of articulation

This uses "nexus" to denote a central point where articulation occurs.

Center of articulation

This phrase emphasizes the central location where articulation takes place.

FAQs

How is "point of articulation" used in phonetics?

In phonetics, "point of articulation" refers to the specific location in the vocal tract where a sound is produced. For instance, the point of articulation for /p/ is the lips (bilabial), while for /t/ it's the alveolar ridge (alveolar).

What is the difference between "point of articulation" and "manner of articulation"?

"Point of articulation" specifies where a sound is produced, such as the lips or tongue, while "manner of articulation" describes how the sound is produced, like whether it's a stop, fricative, or nasal sound.

What are some other ways to say "point of articulation"?

Alternatives for "point of articulation" include "place of articulation", articulatory point, or, in anatomical contexts, location of joint.

Can "point of articulation" be used outside of linguistics?

Yes, while primarily used in linguistics and phonetics, "point of articulation" can also refer to joints or connections in anatomy or engineering, describing where parts connect or move relative to each other.