Velum Listed as Passive and Active Articulator

[Isobel W]

In the vocal anatomy video in module 1, the velum is listed as being a passive and an active articulator – is this correct ? At the end of the video it says that an articulator can be classed as passive or active depending on how it is used during a particular sound – what would be an example of the active vs passive use of the velum

[Aidan P]

I believe this is because the velum can be involved passively, as the place of articulation for a plosive like /k/ but can also be involved actively in opening (nasals) or closing the oronasal port.

[Author]

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