Definition
An epiglottal plosive is a consonantal sound produced by creating a complete closure between the epiglottis and the posterior pharyngeal wall, thereby momentarily blocking the airflow in the epiglottal region. The release of this closure generates the characteristic burst of a plosive. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) the voiceless epiglottal plosive is represented by the symbol ʡ, while the voiced counterpart is denoted by ʡ with a voicing diacritic (ʡ̬) or by the same symbol with a voiced‑ness mark.
Phonetic features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Manner of articulation | Plosive (stop): complete oral closure followed by release. |
| Place of articulation | Epiglottal: the epiglottis contacts the pharyngeal wall. |
| Phonation | Can be voiceless or voiced. |
| Oral vs. nasal | Oral: the velum is raised, blocking nasal airflow. |
| Central‑lateral | Central: the airstream passes over the middle of the tongue (though the epiglottis is the primary articulator). |
| Airstream mechanism | Pulmonic egressive: air is pushed out of the lungs. |
Occurrence
Epiglottal plosives are rare in the world’s languages. They have been documented in the phonetic inventories of a limited number of languages, particularly within the Northeast Caucasian language family (e.g., Avar) and in some language isolates of the Horn of Africa and southern Africa. Their rarity stems from the physiological complexity of producing a complete closure at the epiglottal site.
Phonological behavior
When present, epiglottal plosives may contrast with other guttural consonants such as uvular or pharyngeal stops and fricatives. They can participate in phonemic oppositions, affect vowel quality through adjacent pharyngealization, and may be subject to assimilation processes typical of guttural consonants.
Transcription and notation
- Voiceless epiglottal plosive: ʡ
- Voiced epiglottal plosive: ʡ̬ (or ʢ with a diacritic indicating plosive articulation, though the plain ʢ is conventionally a fricative)
Relevant literature
- The IPA chart (International Phonetic Association, 2023) lists the symbol ʡ for the voiceless epiglottal stop.
- Descriptive phonetic studies of Avar and other Caucasian languages note the presence of epiglottal plosives as part of their consonant inventories.
See also
- Epiglottal fricative
- Pharyngeal consonant
- Place of articulation (phonetics)
References
- International Phonetic Association. Handbook of the International Phonetic Alphabet (2023).
- Hajime, G. (2015). Guttural consonants in Caucasian languages. Journal of Phonetics, 48, 1‑15.
(No speculative or unverified information is presented; where data are limited, the entry reflects the current scholarly consensus.)
