What role does the glottis play in phonetics?

The glottis is crucial in phonetics as it refers specifically to the space between the vocal cords. This space plays a key role in sound production since the vocal cords can be adjusted to open or close the glottis, allowing for variations in airflow during phonation. When air is pushed from the lungs through the glottis, it can either be completely obstructed by the vocal cords, leading to the creation of voiced sounds, or allowed to flow freely, resulting in voiceless sounds. The way the glottis is manipulated affects pitch, volume, and the overall quality of the sound produced, making it an essential component in the phonetic understanding of voice and speech.

In contrast, while breath control is indeed important for speech, it is not the specific function attributed to the glottis; instead, it is more related to the respiratory system as a whole. The glottis does not serve as a point of articulation for consonants; that function is performed by other articulators such as the tongue, lips, and palate. Additionally, although the glottis contributes to sound production, it does not resonate vowel sounds in the way that the vocal tract or oral cavity does.