Labial-palatal approximant

IPA – number	171
IPA – text	ɥ
IPA – image
Entity	ɥ
X-SAMPA	H
Kirshenbaum	j<rnd>
Sound sample (help·info)

The labialized palatal approximant, also called the labial-palatal or labio-palatal approximant, is a type of consonantal sound, used in some spoken languages. It has two constrictions in the vocal tract: with the tongue on the palate, and rounded at the lips. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ɥ, and the equivalent X-SAMPA symbol is H. It is a labialized [j] ([jʷ]), and the semivocalic counterpart of the close front rounded vowel [y].

Features

Features of the labial-palatal approximant:

• Its manner of articulation is approximant, which means it is produced by bringing one articulator close to another but without the vocal tract being narrowed to such an extent that a turbulent airstream is produced.
• Although its place of articulation is called labial-palatal, it is actually labialized palatal, which means it is made by raising the body of the tongue toward the palate while rounding the lips.
• Its phonation type is voiced, which means the vocal cords are vibrating during the articulation.
• It is an oral consonant, which means air is allowed to escape through the mouth.
• It is a central consonant, which means it is produced by allowing the airstream to flow over the middle of the tongue, rather than the sides.
• The airstream mechanism is pulmonic egressive, which means it is articulated by pushing air out of the lungs and through the vocal tract, rather than from the glottis or the mouth.

Occurrence

Language		Word	IPA	Meaning	Notes
Abkhaz		ауаҩы	[awaˈɥə]	'human'	See Abkhaz phonology
Chinese	Mandarin	月/yuè	[ɥœ˥˩]	'moon'	See Standard Mandarin
French		bonne nuit	[bɔnnɥi] (help·info)	'good night'	See French phonology

See also

• List of phonetics topics
• Labio-palatalization

References

• Ladefoged, Peter; Ian Maddieson (1996). The Sounds of the World's Languages. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-19814-8.