Suction Stop (Noun)
Meaning
A stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu).
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The Xhosa language features a suction stop as one of its phonemes, creating a distinct sound unlike anything found in European languages.
- The suction stop is made by suddenly drawing air into the mouth with the tongue behind the top teeth, then releasing it with a slight pop.
- Linguists studying Bantu languages have long been fascinated by the suction stop and its unique acoustic properties.
- The suction stop in some African languages can be modified by altering the shape of the mouth and lips to change the timbre of the sound.
- Unlike a click, a suction stop involves air being drawn into the mouth rather than out of it, requiring precise control over the vocal apparatus.