Voiced velar lateral approximant

Voiced velar lateral approximant
ʟ
Audio sample
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Encoding
X-SAMPA	L\
Image

Voiced velar lateral tap
ʟ̆
Audio sample
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Voiced uvular lateral approximant
ʟ̠
Audio sample
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The voiced velar lateral approximant is a sound used in some spoken languages. It is not in English but is similar to the ll in full.

The voiced velar lateral flap is a sound used in some spoken languages. It is not in English.

The voiced uvular lateral approximant is a sound used in American English. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet is ⟨ʟ̠⟩.

Characteristics

• The airstream mechanism is pulmonic. This means that this sound is produced by pushing air solely with the lungs and diaphragm, as in most sounds.
• The phonation is voiced. This means that the vocal cords vibrate while the sound is being pronounced.
• It is a lateral consonant. This means that this sound is produced by directing the airstream over the sides of the tongue, but not down the middle.
• It is an oral consonant. This means that air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.

Velar

• The place of articulation (where the sound is produced) is velar. This means that this sound is produced with the back of the tongue at the soft palate.

Tap

• The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is tap. This means that this sound is produced with a single contraction of the muscles. The thing that produces the sound (usually the tongue) touches something else for a very short amount of time.

Approximant

• The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is approximant. This means that this sound is produced by narrowing the vocal tract at the place this sound is produced. However, it is not narrowed enough to produce a turbulent airstream.

Uvular approximant

• The place of articulation (where the sound is produced) is uvular. This means that this sound is produced with the back of the tongue (the dorsum) at the uvula.
• The manner of articulation (how the sound is produced) is approximant. This means that this sound is produced by narrowing the vocal tract at the place this sound is produced. However, it is not narrowed enough to produce a turbulent airstream.

Examples

Uvular

Language		Word	IPA	Meaning	Notes
English	Some American speakers	wool	[wʊʟ̠]	'wool'	May be velar or simply alveolar instead. See English phonology.