Definitions

Place of Articulation

Bilabial: The constriction is made between the lower lip and the upper lip.

Labiolo-dental: The constriction is made between the lower lip and the upper front teeth.

Dental: The constriction is made between the tip of tongue and the back of the upper front teeth.

Alveolar: The constriction is made between the tip/blade of the tongue and the alveolar ridge.

Postalveolar: The constriction is made between the tip/blade of the tongue and the area right behind the alveolar ridge.

Retroflex: The constriction is made with a back part of the tip/blade of the tongue and the alveolar/postalveolar/palatal area.

Palatal: The constriction is made between the tongue body and the palate.

Velar: The constriction is made between the tongue body and the velum.

Uvular: The constriction is made between the tongue body and the uvula.

Pharyngeal: The constriction is made between the tongue root and the pharynx.

Glottal: The constriction is made at the  glottis.

 

Manner of Articulation

Plosive:  A complete closure is made between the articulator and the point of articulation. Since the oral passage is blocked, the air pressure builds up in the mouth. When the closure is opened, an abrupt release occurs.

Affricate: For the first half of the duration, a complete closure is made between the articulator and the point of articulation, so that air flow is completely blocked. For the latter half, the closure is lessened, so that the air is released with friction.

Nasal: The velum is lowered so the air passes through the nasal passage.

Trill: The airstream from lung causes the articulator to vibrate. The contact of the articulator against the point of articulation is made more than one time.

Tap or Flap: The articulator makes a brief contact against the point of articulation.

Fricative: The articulator makes a narrow constriction against the point of articulation, so when the air flow goes through the oral passage it creates audible friction.

Lateral fricative: The tip of tongue makes a complete closure at the area of dental/alveolar/postalveolar region, and the air from lung goes through one side or both sides of the tongue, creating audible friction.

Approximant: An articulator approaches a point of articulation, but the constriction degree is not so narrow as for fricatives or stops. The vocal folds are vibrating.

Lateral approximant: The articulator makes a complete closure somewhere between dental and velar. While the vocal folds are vibrating, the air flow goes over one side or both sides of the tongue, but no friction is created and the air flows relatively smoothly.