Voiced labial–retroflex nasal

The voiced labial–retroflex nasal is a type of consonantal sound used in the Yele language. It is a [ɳ] and [m] pronounced simultaneously. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨ɳ͡m⟩. Para-IPA ⟨ṇ͡m⟩ is also seen.

Voiced labial–retroflex nasal
ɳ͡m
ṇ͡m

Features

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Features of the voiceless labial–retroflex plosive are:

  • Its phonation is voiceless, which means it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords.
  • It is a nasal consonant, which means air is allowed to escape through the nose, either exclusively (nasal stops) or in addition to through the mouth.
  • It is a central consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream along the center of the tongue, rather than to the sides.
  • Its airstream mechanism is pulmonic, which means it is articulated by pushing air solely with the intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles, as in most sounds.

Occurrence

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Language Word IPA Meaning Notes
Yele[1][2][3] nmó [ɳ͡mo] "we" Contrasts voiced labial–alveolar nasal and voiced labial–velar nasal.

References

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  1. ^ Levinson, Stephen C. (23 May 2022). A Grammar of Yélî Dnye: The Papuan Language of Rossel Island. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783110733853. ISBN 978-3-11-073385-3. S2CID 249083265. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/160609178.pdf
  3. ^ Ladefoged, Peter; Maddieson, Ian (1996). The Sounds of the World's Languages. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-19815-6.