Which one of the following is not a nasal consonant ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 4, "k," is the correct answer because it is not a nasal consonant. To understand why this is the case, let's first define what nasal consonants are and then examine each option.

1. **Nasal Consonants**: Nasal consonants are sounds produced with airflow through the nose. During the articulation of these sounds, the velum (soft part of the roof of the mouth) is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nasal cavity. Common nasal consonants in English include "m," "n," and "ŋ" (represented by the symbol "η" in the options).

2. **Explanation of Each Option**:
   - **Option 1: m** - The sound "m" is a nasal consonant. It is produced by closing the lips and allowing the air to pass through the nose, making it a bilabial nasal sound.
   - **Option 2: n** - The sound "n" is also a nasal consonant. It is produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge (just behind the upper front teeth) and allowing the air to pass through the nose, making it an alveolar nasal sound.
   - **Option 3: η (ŋ)** - The sound "ŋ" (often represented by "η" in phonetic transcriptions) is a nasal consonant. It is produced by raising the back of the tongue to the velum and allowing the air to pass through the nose, making it a velar nasal sound. This sound is found in words like "sing" and "ring."

3. **Option 4: k** - The sound "k" is not a nasal consonant. It is a voiceless velar plosive, meaning it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract at the velum and then releasing it, without any nasal airflow. The velum is raised during the articulation of "k," preventing air from escaping through the nose.

In summary, Option 4, "k," is the correct answer because it is a voiceless velar plosive and does not involve nasal airflow, distinguishing it from the nasal consonants "m," "n," and "ŋ."