What is an approximant consonant?
Q: What is an approximant consonant?
A: An approximant consonant is a consonant that sounds in some ways like a vowel.
Q: Can you give some examples of lateral approximants?
A: Yes, lateral approximants include the sound for "l" in the English word "like" and the sound for "r" in the English word "right".
Q: What are semivowels?
A: Semivowels include sounds that are produced by bringing two parts of the mouth close to each other, such as the sound for "y" in "yes" and the sound for "w" in "wet".
Q: How are approximant consonants pronounced?
A: Approximant consonants are pronounced by bringing two parts of the mouth, for example the tongue and the roof of the mouth, close to each other.
Q: How do approximant consonants differ from fricative consonants?
A: Approximant consonants are not close enough to cause the air to be blocked, like in a fricative consonant.
Q: How do approximant consonants differ from vowels?
A: The parts used to produce approximant consonants are not far apart enough to become a vowel.
Q: Are there any other examples of approximant consonants?
A: Yes, other examples of approximant consonants include the sound for "j" in "job" and the sound for "ʍ" in "whale".
