What is the primary function of the velar place of articulation?

The primary function of the velar place of articulation is indeed related to the interaction between the tongue and the soft palate. In phonetics, the velar sounds are produced when the back part of the tongue comes in contact with the soft palate, which is also referred to as the velum. This articulation is crucial for sounds such as [k], [g], and [ŋ] (as in "sing").

Understanding this function helps in recognizing how speech sounds are categorized based on where and how they are produced in the oral cavity. When the tongue raises to meet the soft palate, airflow is momentarily blocked, creating the specific velar consonants significant in many languages.

This articulation differs from other processes like producing fricatives or sounds involving the hard palate. The choice regarding airflow control through the vocal folds pertains to phonation rather than articulation, highlighting how various aspects of speech production are interconnected but distinct.