Nasal consonant
A nasal (also nasal sound, German Nasenlaut) is a consonant named after its mode of articulation. In oral sounds, the posterior, soft part of the palate (the velum) lies against the back wall of the pharynx, closing off the nasal cavity. With nasals, an oral closure is created and the velum lowers, allowing most of the air to escape through the nose. The nasal cavity and the portion of the oral cavity extending from the back to the point of closure serve as the resonating chamber. Nasals are usually voiced. Icelandic has one voiceless nasal, Burmese has several of them.
- bilabial nasals (labial nasals)
- voiced bilabial nasal [m]
- voiceless bilabial nasal [m̥]
- labiodental nasals
- voiced labiodental nasal [ɱ]
- voiceless labiodental nasal [ɱ̊]
- alveolar nasals (dental nasals)
- voiced alveolar nasal [n]
- voiceless alveolar nasal [n̥]
- retroflex nasals
- voiced retroflex nasal [ɳ]
- voiceless retroflex nasal [ɳ̊]
- palatal nasals
- voiced palatal nasal [ɲ]
- voiceless palatal nasal [ɲ̊]
- velar nasals (hind palatal nasals)
- voiced velar nasal [ŋ]
- voiceless velar nasal [ŋ̊].
- uvular nasals
- voiced uvular nasal [ɴ]
- voiceless uvular nasal [ɴ̥]
German knows the (voiced) nasals [m], [n] and [ŋ].
See also
- Nasal vowel
- Nasality
Questions and Answers
Q: What is a nasal consonant?
A: A nasal consonant is a type of consonant produced with a lowered velum in the mouth, allowing air to come out through the nose, while the air is not allowed to pass through the mouth because something (like the tongue or the lips) is stopping it.
Q: What is the difference between a nasal consonant and a non-nasal consonant?
A: The difference between a nasal consonant and a non-nasal consonant is that a nasal consonant is produced by allowing air to come out through the nose, while the air is not allowed to pass through the mouth because something is stopping it.
Q: What are some examples of nasal consonants in English?
A: Some examples of nasal consonants in English are [n] and [m], in words such as nose and mouth.
Q: How are nasal consonants produced?
A: Nasal consonants are produced with a lowered velum in the mouth, allowing air to come out through the nose, while the air is not allowed to pass through the mouth because something (like the tongue or the lips) is stopping it.
Q: What is the role of the velum in producing a nasal consonant?
A: The role of the velum in producing a nasal consonant is to lower in the mouth so that air can come out through the nose, while the air is not allowed to pass through the mouth because something (like the tongue or the lips) is stopping it.
Q: Can nasal consonants be produced without a lowered velum?
A: No, nasal consonants cannot be produced without a lowered velum in the mouth.
Q: What are the benefits of using a nasal consonant in speech?
A: The benefits of using a nasal consonant in speech include adding variety to speech sounds, creating a unique sound in a language, and making speech sound more natural and flowing.
