Which word contains consonant letters representing only voiceless consonant sounds: cat? - briefly
The word "cat" contains consonant letters that represent only voiceless consonant sounds. These sounds are /k/ as in "cat," /t/ as in "cat."
Which word contains consonant letters representing only voiceless consonant sounds: cat? - in detail
The word "cat" consists of three consonant letters: 'c', 't', and 't'. To determine if these letters represent only voiceless consonant sounds, it is essential to analyze each sound individually.
The letter 'c' in "cat" represents the sound /k/. This sound is produced by obstructing the airflow in the vocal tract and then releasing it, without involving the vocal cords. The /k/ sound is thus voiceless.
The letter 't' in "cat" represents the sound /t/. Similar to /k/, the /t/ sound is produced by stopping the airflow and then releasing it, again without the involvement of the vocal cords. Therefore, the /t/ sound is also voiceless.
Given that all consonant letters in the word "cat" represent voiceless sounds, it is accurate to state that "cat" contains only voiceless consonant sounds. This analysis is based on the phonetic properties of the sounds associated with the letters in the word. The voiceless nature of these sounds is a fundamental aspect of English phonetics, where certain consonants are produced without the vibration of the vocal cords.