Voiced retroflex lateral fricative
Consonantal sound represented by ⟨𝼅⟩ or ⟨ɭ˔⟩ in IPA
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A voiced retroflex lateral fricative is a type of consonantal sound. The 'implicit' IPA letter for this sound, ⟨𝼅⟩[1] is overtly supported by the extIPA.[2] In traditional IPA, it can be transcribed ⟨ɭ̝⟩ or (dated) ⟨ɭ˔⟩. It is not clear if it is found in any language in non-disordered speech, but it has been reported by one linguist for Chungli Ao.
Features
Features of a voiced retroflex lateral fricative:
- Its manner of articulation is fricative, which means it is produced by constricting air flow through a narrow channel at the place of articulation, causing turbulence.
- Its place of articulation is retroflex, which prototypically means it is articulated subapical (with the tip of the tongue curled up), but more generally, it means that it is postalveolar without being palatalized. That is, besides the prototypical subapical articulation, the tongue can be apical (pointed) or, in some fricatives, laminal (flat).
- Its phonation is voiced, which means the vocal cords vibrate during the articulation.
- It is an oral consonant, which means that air is not allowed to escape through the nose.
- It is a lateral consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream over the sides of the tongue, rather than down the middle.
- 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.