Re: Do I say [s] correctly?

On 7/10/07, John Crowe <johnxcrowe@...> wrote:
> What has frustrated me recently is that the description of a fairly common
> sound, [s] is not the way I say it. I must admit, many aspects of phonetics
> confuse me.
>
> My understanding of the normal description:
> The tip or blade of the tongue is supposed to be the articulator, which is
> placed up against the alveolar ridge (which from what I read is right behind the
> upper teeth) but not completely stopping airflow, creating high-frequency
> turbulence. Air then passes over the sharp edges of teeth.
When I say [s], the tip of my tongue braces against the lower gums,
and the blade of the tongue presses toward the alveolar ridge, leaving
a gap, producing [s].

I have a speech impediment that manifests itself from time to time.
Every so often when I pronounce [s], it comes out as a high pitched
whistle. It's rather cool. I remember going to the speech therapist
because as a kid, but I'm not sure for exactly what (I'd have to ask
my parents).