What are the three primary branches of phonetics?

The three primary branches of phonetics are articulatory, acoustic, and auditory. Each branch focuses on a different aspect of sound:

1. Articulatory Phonetics examines how speech sounds are produced. It studies the physiological processes involved in the formation of sounds, including the roles of various parts of the vocal tract such as the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and other articulators.

2. Acoustic Phonetics focuses on the physical properties of speech sounds as they travel through the air. This branch investigates the sound waves themselves, including their frequency, amplitude, and duration. It involves analyzing how these characteristics affect the perception of different phonemes.

3. Auditory Phonetics deals with how speech sounds are perceived by the ear and processed by the brain. It looks at the auditory system's response to sound waves and how individuals interpret these signals as distinct speech sounds.

Understanding these three branches is essential for studying phonetics comprehensively, as they encompass the production, transmission, and perception of speech sounds, providing a holistic view of how humans communicate. Other options listed do not pertain to the branches of phonetics.