English Pronunciation 32: The /m/, /n/ and /ŋ/ sounds

This video looks at the three nasal sounds.

A nasal sound is when
the air and sound pass out through the nose. The other sounds we
have looked at release the air and/or sound through the mouth.

If
you say the nasal sounds /m/, /n/ or /ŋ/ and then pinch (hold) your
nose closed with your fingers, you will block (stop) the air flow and
sound ‒ you will not be able to make the sound and the sound will
stop.

The first nasal sound is /m/. To make the /m/ sound, you use
two surfaces to stop the air coming out of your mouth: you press
your top lip onto your bottom lip and this stops the air flow through
your mouth.

Another nasal sound is the /n/ sound ‒ this sound is
also produced through your nose. For the /n/ sound, the two
surfaces you use to stop the air are your tongue and the ridge
behind your top teeth. You use the top (blade) of your tongue to
touch the ridge ‒ you do not use the tip of your tongue. The air is
forced to go up through and come out of your nose because the
two surfaces have stopped the air flow coming out of your mouth.

The other nasal sound, is /ŋ/. There are two surfaces that you use
to make the /ŋ/ sound. You use the back of your tongue which
rises to touch the back of your mouth. This stops the air coming
out through your mouth and forces the air to come out through
your nose.