A nasal sound is a type of speech sound produced when air flows through the nasal cavity during articulation. This occurs when the soft palate lowers, allowing air to escape through the nose while the mouth is also involved in producing the sound. Common examples of nasal sounds in English include the letters m, n, and ng. Nasal sounds are important in many languages, as they can change the meaning of words. For instance, in Hindi, the presence of nasalization can differentiate between words that would otherwise sound similar. Understanding nasal sounds is essential for language learning and speech therapy.