The art of pronuntiation digested into two parts. Vox audienda, & vox videnda. In the first of which are set foorth the elements and seuerall parts of the voice: in the second are described diuers characters, by which euery part of the voice may be aptly known and seuerall distinguished. Very necessary as well thereby to know the naturall structure of the voice, as speedily to learne the exact touch of pronuntiation of any forraine language whatsoeuer. Newly inuented by Robert Robinson Londoner.

Vox Audienda, Or THE ELEMENTS OF MANS Voice.

What the Voice is.

THE Voice is a compo∣sition of diuers simple sounds intermixed to∣gether.

What a simple sound is?

A simple sound is the least part or member of the voice, framed in one only place, and by one only manner proper to it selfe.

What a sound is, and of the efficient thereof.

A sound is an accident effected by

the opposition of these two contra∣ries, namely motion and restraint: motion of the ayre out of the inward parts of the body, and restraint of it in its motion.

Of the efficient causes of this motion and restraint.

The causes of this motion and re∣straint are primary and secondary: the primary is spirituall, the seconda∣ry is instrumentall, the spiritual cause is alike to both: the instrumentall causes are different, some proper to motion, and others proper to re∣straint.

Of the primary and spirituall cause of this motion and restraint.

The spirituall cause is the minde, which God hauing made it most like to his glorious image, hath placed in this Microcosmos of mans body, as a principall ruler thereof vnder him,

giuing it such power ouer all the parts of the body, that as God him∣selfe is the first mouer of the whole vniuersall world, who only by his in∣finit power appointeth both an or∣derly course and limitation in the motion of all his workes, so himselfe hath granted and ordained: that the minde of man should bee the first moouer of this little world of the bo∣dy, wherein it is inclosed, and of eue∣ry member and particle of it made fit for motion, and hath giuen it a liber∣ty, to be accompted for to order, re∣straine, and limit those motions as it selfe listeth.

Of the instrumentall causes of this motion.

They are the lungs and hollow parts of the body, wherein the ayre is contained, which being drawne to∣gether by the motion, or rather the will of the mind, doe thereby expell the ayre, and cause it to be mooued

through diuers passages, as the throat, mouth, and nostrils.

Of the instrumentall causes of the restraint of this motion.

They are the breast, throat, pallat, gums, tongue, lips and nostrils, stop∣ping or hindering the free passage of the ayre in it's motion.

How the diuersity of sounds vsed in mans voice happen.

They happen vpon these three occa∣sions.

• First by the diuersity of the instruments of restraint.
• Secondly, by reason of the diuers places of restraint.
• And thirdly in re∣spect of the different manner of restraint, both by the seuerall instruments, and in the seuerall places.

Of the generall parts of the sounds in mans voice so occasioned.

There are two generall partes, some different only in quantity, and are most pertinēt to Musique, others only in quality, which are most ne∣cessary for speech.

Of the number of sounds of different quantity.

They are in number vncertaine, to wit, in some men more, and in some men lesse.

Of two seuerall orders wherein these sounds are different in quantity.

The sounds of different quantity are two-fold: first, in respect of their different height of sound, secondly by reason of their different measure of time, wherein they are sounded.

Of the place of framing of the sounds, different in quantity, and the cause of their different heights.

They are caused by the instrument of the throat, which according to the greater or lesser restraining of the ayre, passing through in one and the same place, doth cause sometimes a more shrill and lowd noise, somtimes a more base and deep sound, but ne∣uer differeth the quality more or lesse.

Of the reason of their different measure of time.

It is because they are sounded by a different continuance of the moti∣on of the breath, sometimes beeing finished in a shorter time, and some∣times continued to a longer.

Of the number of sounds of different quality whereof the speech is framed.

They are in number certaine, to wit fiue and twenty, and by their se∣uerall instruments and places are di∣uersly framed in such sort as after∣wards shall be spoken of.

Of the framing of the speeche by the said sounds of different quality.

Of the simple sounds aforesaid, of different quality are framed sillables, of sillables, words, and of words the whole order of speech.

What a syllable is.

A sillable is the pronouncing of one of the simple sounds of different quality by it selfe alone, or of two or more of them orderly framed and knit together, without any inter∣mission of time put between them.

What a word is.

A word is either one sillable alone,

or els two or mo sillables hauing a very small intermission of time and stay of the breath between euery of them, by which any one thing con∣ceiued in the minde, or perceiued through the sences is distinctly na∣med and knowne from others.

What the speech is.

The speech is an orderly knitting together of diuers words, whereby any thing forethought of in the mind is sensibly expressed to the eare.

Of the generall diuision of the simple sounds of different quality.

They are of three generall kindes, which for distinction sake I haue na∣med by seuerall names, one of which in respect of its office I call a vitall sound, the others in respect of their seuerall natures, some vowels, and some consonants, as they haue been anciently termed: of which in order shall be spoken.

Of the nature, place and office of the vitall sound.

The vitall sound is that which was spoken of before, whereof all the sounds of different quantitie doe arise, and it is framed in the passage of the throat, and it is to be noted, that this sound is onely vsed in com∣position, with the others of different qualities to expresse them more liue∣ly to the eares of the auditors: for without the helpe of this vitall sound all the other parts of the voice would be but as a soft whispering, and as this sound is so helpfull to the others of different quality, so are they of dif∣ferent quality also no lesse excellent and helpfull to the sounds of diffe∣rent quantities, which are so framed of that vitall sound bredde in the throat, so that by the composition of both sorts together, the one is made a liuely helper to the other, whereby that part of the voyce appertaining

to speech is made most apt for the same, and the other appertaining to melody is made most pleasing, and thereby it commeth to passe, that the voice of man is worthily accompted more excellent, then any artificiall musicke hitherto inuented.

Of vowels, what they are and of their nature.

The vowells in respect of the re∣straint of the motion of the ayre, are the least extreame of all the other sounds, they hauing a more freer passage of the ayre then the rest, so that in them the breath is most light∣ly hindred, and their nature is such that they cannot be ioyned in a silla∣ble with themselues, but with conso∣nants they may, so that if two or mo vowells come together, they of ne∣cessity are all different sillables, ex∣cept onely certaine sillables arising of them, which are called dipthongs, and are caused by a continuance of

the breath from any of the former, vntill it finish it motion in the place of the last long vowel, and not other∣wise.

Of the number of vowells.

They are in number ten, and are euery one of different quality, both in respect of their different manner of framing, and of their diuers places wherein they are so framed.

Of their different manner of framing.

They are framed in two sorts, which are distinguished by short and long vowels, both in respect of the diffe∣rence of the time wherein they are vttered, as also because of the diffe∣rent organes through which they passe, being in some shorter and in some longer.

Of the generall framing of the short vowells.

The short vowels haue their passage through certaine short organes, fra∣med by the placing of the tongue in sundry partes of the roofe of the mouth.

Of the generall framing of the long vowells.

They are framed by the breath passing through somewhat longer organes, made also by the help of the tongue, by placing of it in seuerall parts of the roofe of the mouth.

Of the number of places wherein the vowells are framed.

They are fiue: the first taking its beginning in the innermost part of the roofe or pallat, and so the rest continuing forward, each one order∣ly in his degree to the last place, being more neere to the outmost part of the roofe, and in euery one of these fiue places are framed, one short and

one long vowell, the particular or∣der of framing of which vowells in their distinct places hereafter ensueth.

Of the framing of the first short vowell.

It is framed in the innermost part of the roofe of the mouth by the help of the tongue, making of small organe for the passage of the ayre.

Of the framing of the first long vowell.

It is framed in the same place by the helpe of the tongue, extending & lengthning of the organe through which the breath passeth almost to the place of the next short vowell.

Of the framing of the second short vowell.

It is framed somewhat forwarder in the roofe by the help of the tongue making also a small organe for the passage of the ayre.

Of the second long vowell.

It is framed in the place of the short, but passeth through a longer organe almost extended to the place of the next short vowell.

Of the third short vowell.

It is framed somewhat forwarder in the roofe by the helpe of a small organe framed by the tongue.

Of the third long vowell.

It is framed in the place of 'its short, but by the helpe of a longer organe extended almost to the place of the next short vowell.

Of the fourth short vowell.

It is framed also somewhat for∣warder and neerer to the outmost part of the roofe passing through a

short or small organe framed by the tongue.

Of the fourth long vowell.

It is framed also in the place of 'tis short, but by the helpe oa longer organe framed by the tongue, and ex∣tended almost to the place of the next short vowell.

Of the fift short vowell.

It is framed in a small organe made by the helpe of the tongue in a place also somewhat neerer to the outmost part of the roofe.

Of the fift long vowell.

It is framed in a longer organe, made in the same place by the helpe of the tongue, almost extended to the inward place of the consonants, which are framed in the mouth.

Of Consonants. What are Consonants.

The breath in them is more strict∣ly hindered, and they be such as may be ioyned two or more in one silla∣ble, either by themselues, or with a vowell or dip-thong.

Of the number of Consonants.

They are in number fourteen, and euery of them of different quality, in respect of their different manner of framing, and of their different places, wherein they are so framed; thirteene of which consonants are framed in the mouth, and one onely in the breast. And first of those in the mouth.

Of the seuerall orders of framing of the consonants in the mouth.

They are framed in fiue sorts, which I haue named by seuerall names, as mutes, seminutes, greater obstricts, lesser obstricts and a peculiar.

Of the particular number of each sort.

Of mutes there are three, of semi∣nutes three: of the greater obstricts three; of the lesser obstricts three, and one only peculiar.

Of the number of places wherein these thirteen consonants in the mouth are framed.

They are framed in three places or regions which may be called the out∣ward, middle, and inward regions, and in euery of these places are seue∣rally framed one mute, one semmiute, one greater obstrict and one lesser obstrict, and in the middle region the peculiar also is partly framed.

Of the first place.

The first or outmost region is the outmost part of the mouth, namely the lips, wherein are framed fower consonants, to wit, one mute, one se∣mimute, one greater obstrict, and one lesser obstrict.

Of the second place.

The second or middle region is the vpper gummes or outmost part of the roofe of the mouth, enclosed by the helpe of the tippe and edges of the tongue, wherein are framed fiue consonants; namely one mute, one se∣mimute, one greater obstrict, one lesser obstrict, and the peculiar.

Of the third place.

The third or inward region is a more inward part of the mouth in∣closed with the flat of the tongue, ve∣ry neer vnto the last place of vowels, wherein are likewise framed fower consonants: that is, one mute, one se∣minute,

one greater obstrict, and one lesser obstrict.

What are mutes? of the order of their framing, and of their property.

The mutes, in respect of the re∣straint of the motion of the ayre, are the greatest extreame of all the other sounds, the ayre in them being more strictly hindered, then in the rest: and they are framed by the quite stop∣ping and cutting off of the breath from 'its motion, which causeth a kind of dumbe sound to be vttered, and they are made three differents, in respect of the three different places wherein they are stopped. And these dumbe sounds cannot well bee vtte∣red, vnles they be ioyned with some other sounds to expresse themselues by.

Of the semimutes.

The semimutes are: caused by the

quite stopping of the breath from the passage of it through the mouth, so that in their owne proper places of restraint they giue no sound at all, but by a contrary course, hauing a re∣strictiue passage through the nostrils, they thereby admit of a sound, And they are made three differents also, by the three places of their stopping.

Of the greater obstricts.

They are framed by the stopping of the breath not with a full restraint, but leauing some small passage for it, whereby it may bee breathed out at the mouth, And they being not so much restrained as the mutes, nor hauing so free a passage as the lesser obstricts, are as a meane to those two extreames, and they are also three differents, by reason of their three se∣uerall places of construction.

Of the lesser obstricts.

They are framed after the same manner as the greater, onely differ in this, that somewhat greater and freer passage is admitted to them; yet they haue not so free a passage as the vowells, but are as a meane betweene the vowells and greater obstricts, and they are also three differents, in respect of their three seuerall places of construction.

Of the peculiar.

It is framed by a speciall manner onely proper to it selfe, by the stop∣ping of the breath with the tip of the tongue in the outermost part of the roofe or middle region of consonāts, yet leauing it two seuerall passages between the edges of the inward gums, and both the edges and sides of the tongue, through which the breath passing, and beating against the cheekes, from thence issueth out at the mouth.

Of the manner of framing, and of the nature of the consonant in the breast.

This sound in respect of the order of framing of it, differeth not from a mute, but to distinguish it from the other mutes framed in the mouth, I haue named it (as heretofore it hath been called) an aspirate, and it is cau∣sed by a restraint and suddain stay of the motion of the breath in the breast, before it comes to the passage of the throat, which giueth so small a noise, as it can scarce sensibly be dis∣cerned. And it being vsed before or after any of the other consonants scarce sheweth foorth it selfe, but causeth those with whom it is ioy∣ned, to seeme different sounds from their true quality, yet with some kind of resemblance thereunto.

Finis de voce audienda.