Approximant (definition)

Approximants are sounds are made with a partial closure of the articulators in the vocal tract. The term is used to describe liquids like [l, ɹ] and glides like [j, w]. The articulators in the mouth are held wide enough apart to allow a steady stream of air to pass but not narrow enough to cause frication. Fricatives and approximants are related, however. Turning off the voicing of an approximant results in a fricative; the increased airflow after voicing ceases is enough to create frication.

See Also

• Glide (definition)
• Liquid (definition)
• Consonant (definition)
• Manner of Articulation (definition)
• Sounds of Scottish Gaelic

External Links

• Interactive IPA Charts

The link below takes you away from the Gaelic Wiki to Wikipedia. Since wikipedia pages can be edited by anyone, they often contain inaccurate information. So be careful!

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approximant_consonant

References

• Ladefoged, D. (2010) A Course in Phonetics. 6th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing.'