Can anyone tell me what’s the difference between what our mouth’s do when we make the “ma” and “ba” noises? I tried and I cannot find a single difference. They both seem like just separating the lips while pushing air out. I thought it might be that we just add more pressure to the lips on “ba” but that doesn’t seem like it. It might be a difference in pushing the air out. Idk I’m confused please help.
In: Biology
Here’s a real ELI5:
Pinch your nose shut with your fingers and say “ma” and “ba”, and you’ll see for yourself that they’re different, and how they’re different. One of them is affected and the other isn’t.
(Spoiler: With “ma”, the “m” sound starts before the lips open, and the air comes out the nose. With “ba”, the “b” is formed *as* the lips open. With your nose not plugged, you can hold an “mmmm” as long as you want, but you can’t hold a “b”.)
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