Linguistics: Natural Classes of Sounds Practice Test

Coronal articulation uses the front part of the tongue—typically the blade or tip—against areas in the front of the mouth. This places sounds like dental (against the teeth), alveolar (against the alveolar ridge), and post-alveolar (just behind the alveolar ridge) in the coronal category. Velar involves the back of the tongue contacting the velum (the soft palate), which is a dorsal place of articulation. Bilabial uses both lips, and glottal involves the glottis. So the set that includes dental, alveolar, and post-alveolar is the coronal group.