LABIALS Meaning and
Definition
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Labials are a class of speech sounds that are produced by the movement of the lips. In phonetics and linguistics, labials refer to the consonants or sounds that involve the use of the lips as the primary articulator. Labials include both plosives and fricatives, which are produced by completely or partially closing the lips and then releasing the airflow.
Plosive labials, also known as bilabials, are sounds produced by bringing the lips together and then suddenly releasing the air, resulting in a burst of sound. Examples of plosive labials include the sounds /p/, /b/, and /m/.
Fricative labials, on the other hand, are sounds where the lips are brought close together, but not completely closed, causing friction as air passes through the narrow opening. The most common fricative labial is /f/, while /v/ is considered its voiced counterpart.
Labials can also be nasal sounds, where the airflow is directed through the nasal cavity rather than the oral cavity. The nasal labial sound /m/ is a common example, as found in words like "mother."
Labials play a crucial role in language as they contribute to the distinctiveness and intelligibility of speech sounds. They are present in various languages worldwide and are an essential component of communication.
Common Misspellings for LABIALS
Etymology of LABIALS
The word "labials" comes from the Latin word "labium", meaning "lip". The "-al" suffix, commonly used in English, denotes that it is an adjective form. Therefore, "labials" refers to sounds made by the action of the lips, specifically in terms of phonetics and language.
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