THE LARYNX AND THE EAR 357 



are thought to be actually shortened by their margins being 

 drawn into contact at the back. This raises the pitch in 

 the same manner as does the shortening of the vibrating 

 portion of a violin string. 



The intensity, or loudness, of the voice is governed 

 by the force with which the air is expelled from the 

 lungs. The vibrations of the cords, however, are greatly 

 reenforced by the peculiar structure of the upper air pas- 

 sages, as stated above. 



Production of Speech. The sounds that form our speech 

 or language are produced by modifying the vibrations from 

 the vocal cords. This is accomplished by "mouthing" the 

 sounds from the larynx. The distinct sounds, or words, 

 are usually complex in nature, being made up of two or 

 more elementary sounds. These are classed either as 

 vowels or consonants and are represented by the different 

 letters of the alphabet. The vowel sounds are made with 

 the mouth open and are more nearly the pure vibrations of 

 the vocal cords. The consonants are modifications of the 

 vocal cord vibrations produced by the tongue, teeth, lips, 

 and throat. 



Words and their Significance. In the development of 

 language certain ideas have become associated with cer- 

 tain sounds so that the hearing of these sounds suggests 

 the ideas. Our words, therefore, consist of so many sound 

 signals, each capable of arousing a definite idea in the 

 mind. To talk is to express ideas through these signals, 

 and to listen is to assume an attitude of mind such that the 

 signals may be interpreted. In learning a language, both 

 the sounds of the words and their associated ideas are 



the high tones the cartilages are pulled together in front, and for the low tones they 

 separate. As they pull together in front, they of course separate behind and above, 

 where the cords are attached. 



