Nasals are a type of speech sound produced when air flows through the nasal cavity. They occur when the mouth is closed, allowing sound to resonate in the nose. Common examples of nasal sounds in the English language include the letters m, n, and ng. These sounds are important for distinguishing words and contribute to the richness of spoken language. In phonetics, nasals are classified as consonants. They are characterized by their unique airflow pattern, which involves lowering the velum, a part of the soft palate. This action directs air into the nasal passages, creating a distinct sound quality that is different from oral consonants, where airflow is restricted to the mouth.