Voiceless labial–uvular plosive
Consonantal sound
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A voiceless labial–uvular plosive is a type of consonantal sound used in some spoken languages. It is a [q] and [p] pronounced simultaneously. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨q͡p⟩.[1][2][3]
Features
The features of a voiceless labial–uvular plosive are:
- Its manner of articulation is occlusive, which means it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract. Since the consonant is also oral, with no nasal outlet, the airflow is blocked entirely, and the consonant is a plosive.
- Its place of articulation is labial–uvular, which means that it is simultaneously articulated with the tongue against the uvula and the lips.
- Its phonation is voiceless, which means it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords. In some languages the vocal cords are actively separated, so it is always voiceless; in others the cords are lax, so that it may take on the voicing of adjacent sounds.
- It is an oral consonant, which means that air is not allowed to escape through the nose.
- It is a median consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream down the midline of the tongue, rather than to the sides.
- Its airstream mechanism is pulmonic, which means it is articulated by pushing air only with the intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles, as in most sounds.
Occurrence
| Family | Language | Word | IPA | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-New Guinea | Iha[4][page needed] | kpohi | [q͡pohi] | 'good' | |
| Central Sudanese | Lese[1][5] | [uq͡pa] | 'tree' | Allophone of /q͡ɓ/. In the source itself, the meaning of /q͡ɓ/ is unclear, but /q͡ɓ/ seems to be a voiceless labial–uvular stop with significant lowering and a strong release. Contrasts /k͡p, q͡ɓ, ɡ͡b, ɠ͡ɓ/.[2] | |
