Know Your Nasals π
Nasals, nasal occlusives or nasal stops are next. Now, they are a sub-group of stops/plosives. So, first step is to check my last post here to read on plosives/stops and get a basic idea of what a stop or plosive is.
So, what's special about a nasal plosive?
Air can escape freely through the nose. This means nasal sounds can be held and the sound can be continuous.
Air is still 100% obstructed from the mouth.
A plosive or stop is when air is obstructed fully, and it is true that the air is 100% obstructed from the mouth. BUT...instead, air is allowed to escape through the nose by having a lowered velum - the soft squishy part in the back of the mouth with the dangling uvula.
When that part of the mouth is lowered, air can escape through the passage up and out the nose instead.
In English, we've got 3 nasals.
The M sound,
N sound;
and NG sound.
In all 3, airflow is obstructed in the mouth.
The M sound blocks airflow at the lips. The top and bottom lips are involved in blocking airflow.
The N sound blocks airflow with the tongue tip against the roof of the mouth behind the teeth.
The NG sound sound blocks airflow with the tongue body against the roof of the mouth against the roof of the mouth at the soft palate.
These different spots of blockage change the resulting sound. Plus air can flow through the nose which changes the resonance pattern and final sound.
Most human languages have nasal occlusives of some sort so conceptually, there should be a sound in your native language that is similar in its manner of production. Typically, clients most often struggle with learning NG the most when compared with M or N, simply because of the placement in the mouth (i.e. which articulators are involved).
Imagine the words SIN and SING to focus your efforts on the positional differences of N vs. NG.
Repeat them over and over and over again to feel the subtle difference in tongue position when alternating.
SIN - SING - SIN - SING -SIN - SING - SIN - SING - SIN - SING - SIN - SING - SIN - SING
Feeling comfortable? Now try SINGING and SINNING.
SINGING - SINNING - SINGING - SINNING - SINGING - SINNING - SINGING - SINNING
There are some tongue gymnastics that are required for these sounds so please be patient and forgiving to yourself. Just like piano, you have to practice the muscle memory correctly and slowly before you rush forward.
Be slow and articulate.
Next, think about some words you want to use that might have this NG sound in them.
Generate a list of words to practice that you absolutely want to use. This can be a motivating experience to concretely and clearly have goals.
Finally, slowly and persistently dedicate time to practicing and exploring these sounds.
As you get used to the sound production, its use in words and later on sentences, it becomes a more comfortable, less awkward, and more second-nature mouth movement. Just like riding a bike. Just like playing the piano. Just like any other complex movement in your life that requires learning.
