How is "resonation" defined in speech production?

Resonation refers to the process by which sound waves are amplified within the vocal tract. When a sound is produced, it travels through the vocal cords and into the resonating cavities (such as the throat, mouth, and nasal passages). These structures modify the sound waves by enhancing certain frequencies and dampening others, which results in a richer and fuller sound. This amplification is crucial for speech production, as it increases the volume and improves the quality of the sounds being articulated.

Understanding this concept is essential because it highlights the role of the vocal tract in shaping the sounds generated by the vocal folds. In contrast, filtering involves manipulating the frequencies that pass through a sound signal but does not directly refer to the amplification aspect. The production of speech sounds encompasses a broader process where both resonance and articulation work together, while modulation of rhythm pertains to the timing and prosody of speech rather than the amplification of sound.