Introducing English Linguistics

Nasals.
English has three nasal consonants, each of which is voiced:
/m/ make
/n/ nice
/ŋ/ long
These sounds have the same place of articulation as the six plosives in
English. The manner of articulation is likewise identical, except that the air
flows through the nasal cavity rather than the oral cavity. With the excep-
tion of the nasals, all consonants in English are oral: the soft palate moves
back in the mouth and touches the pharynx, preventing air from flowing
through the nasal cavity and forcing it instead through the oral cavity. With
nasal consonants, however, there is no such movement of the soft palate.
Consequently, the air is allowed to flow through the nasal cavity.