Labial–alveolar ejective stop

Labial–alveolar ejective
t͡p᫇ʼ

A labial–alveolar ejective stop is a type of consonantal sound used in some spoken languages. It is a [t] and [p] pronounced simultaneously and as an ejective. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨t͡pʼ⟩. It is found in Abkhaz and Ubykh and some dialects of Lak.

Features

Features of a voiceless labial–alveolar plosive are:

• Its manner of articulation is occlusive, which means it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract. Since the consonant is also oral, with no nasal outlet, the airflow is blocked entirely, and the consonant is a plosive.
• Its place of articulation is labial–alveolar, which means that it is simultaneously articulated with the front part of the tongue against the alveolar ridge and the lips.
• Its phonation is voiceless, which means it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords.
• It is an oral consonant, which means that air is not allowed to escape through the nose.
• It is a median consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream down the midline of the tongue, rather than to the sides.
• The airstream mechanism is ejective (glottalic egressive), which means the air is forced out by pumping the glottis upward.

Occurrence

Language	Dialect	Word	IPA	Meaning	Notes
Abkhaz		аҿатә	[at͡ʂʼot͡p᫇ʼ]	"modern"	Endolabial, unlike a [p]. Contrasts [t͡p᫇ʰ], [d͡b̫], [t͡p᫇ʼ]. See Abkhaz phonology. Also found in Ubykh and some dialects of Lak.