Appendix C

Articulatory Definitions of the
Distinctive Features

For easy reference I include this set of definitions for the distinctive features I have proposed.

Contoid. Contoidal articulation is that produced by close approximation of articulator to point of articulation in the oral cavity, from the lips to the tongue back and uvula. Fricatives, occlusives, nasals, and laterals, flaps, taps, and trills articulated in this area of the vocal track are contoidal. Any other sound is non-contoidal.

Nasal. Nasal articulation is that produced when the velum is lowered sufficiently to provide a velic opening and passage of air through the nasal cavity.

Surd. This feature represents the non-phonatory state of the glottis in the speech chain. It substantiates the claim that systematic absence of sound in vocal linguistic communication can be as important as its presence.

Occlusion. Occlusive articulation indicates total systematic blockage of the airstream, be it egressive or ingressive. Occlusion may be contoidal, pharyngeal, or glottal.

Friction. Fricative articulation indicates an approximation of articulation which is sufficiently close to produce audible friction regardless of the phonatory state of the glottis. This is an important proviso because it distinguishes true fricatives from approximants, segments whose articulation is sufficiently close to provide audible friction only when there is no laryngeal resonance.

Slit. Slit articulation is that of fricatives which channel the air stream through a horizontal fissure. Sounds such as f, v, ϴ, , x, and are [+slit].

Lateral. Lateral articulation indicates that either or both sides of the tongue are raised in the production of a segment.

Delayed Transition 1º. Indicates that a complex segment such as [ts] or [tš] or a long segment [l:] or [a:] should be analysed as units rather than sequences of two segments.

Delayed Transition 2º. Combines with or compliments D.T. 1^o. It distinguishes long complex segments č: from complex segements č by marking the former for both primary and secondary delayed transition. They compliment one another in distinguishing hypothetical segments such as bm and bmb (see 3.1.3.0-3.1.3.2).

Widened Glottis. This feature indicates that, regardless of the phonatory state of the glottis, the vocal bands are wider than normal. It accounts for tensely articulated occlusives and fricatives and for laxly articulated non-contoids as well as for murmured or aspirated occlusives.

Glottal Constriction. This feature indicates a glottis that, notwithstanding whatever other characteristics it may have, is constricted in such a way as to provide a contrast between it and a segment with less glottal constriction. It is used to indicate laryngeal creak and to distinguish strong or tense but unaspirated voiceless stops from tense aspirated voiceless stops, when necessary. It also indicates glottalized but non-glottalic sounds.

Suction. This feature indicates the systematic and significant use of ingressive air, be it velaric or glottalic.

Labial. This feature indicates significant use of the musculature to constrict, close, or round lips or to constrict pharynx in both contoidal and non-contoidal articulation.

Raised. This feature indicates articulation that involves raising the tongue higher than the upper teeth. Dental articulations, t, d, s, ϴ, , are [-raised] as are pharyngeal and glotal segments.

High. This feature indicates articulation at a point higher than the alveolar ridge; prepalatal, palatal, and velar. Since uvular articulation involves the lowering of the velum to approximate the uvula to the tongue dorsum, it is [-high].

Palatal. Indicates articulation in the region of the hard palate. This articulation may be contoidal or non-contoidal.

Dorsal. This feature indicates articulation in the area of the tongue dorsum.

Velaric. This feature indicates air stream movement which is initiated by movement of the velum.

Glottalic. This feature indicates air stream movement which is initiated by laryngeal movement.