What type of sound is produced by forcing air out through the nose?

When air is forced out through the nose during speech production, it creates a nasal sound. This type of sound is characterized by the airflow being directed through the nasal cavity while the mouth is either closed or restricted in some way. In phonetics, nasal sounds typically include consonants such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/ (as in "sing").

Nasal sounds are essential in language as they help distinguish meanings between words. For example, the difference between "man" and "pan" lies in the nasal onset of the 'm' sound. Understanding this concept is critical for effective teaching in Multi-Sensory Structured Language Education, as it enhances phonemic awareness and reinforces the connection between sounds and letters for students. Knowing how to identify and articulate these sounds allows educators to help learners develop their language skills more effectively.