Voiced Sounds:

• Voiced sounds are produced when the vocal cords are vibrating.
• The vibration creates a buzzing sound, which can be felt by placing your fingers on your throat while making the sound.
• Examples of voiced sounds in English include: /b/, /d/, /ɡ/, /v/, /z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/, /w/, /j/, and all vowels.
• To test if a sound is voiced, say the sound and feel your throat. If you feel vibration, it is a voiced sound.

Voiceless Sounds:

• Voiceless sounds are produced when the vocal cords are not vibrating.
• Instead of vibration, air passes through the vocal cords without causing them to vibrate.
• Examples of voiceless sounds in English include: /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /θ/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /h/.
• To test if a sound is voiceless, say the sound and feel your throat. If you don't feel any vibration, it is a voiceless sound.

The distinction between voiced and voiceless sounds is crucial in distinguishing words in many languages, including English. For example, the words "pat" and "bat" differ only in the voicing of the initial consonant (/p/ vs. /b/).