Labial–alveolar ejective stop

The 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 was used dialectally in Ubykh.

Labial–alveolar ejective
t͡pʼ

Features

Features of the 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 air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
• It is a central consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream along the center 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[1]		[example needed]			In free variation with [tʷʼ]; contrasts /t͡pʰ, d͡b, t͡pʼ/. See Abkhaz phonology.
Lak[1]	Some dialects	[example needed]			Contrasts /t͡p, d͡b, t͡pʼ/.

References

1. Catford, J. C. (1977). Siegel, Bernard J. (ed.). "Mountain of Tongues: The Languages of the Caucasus". Annual Review of Anthropology. 6: 290. doi:10.1146/annurev.an.06.100177.001435. ISBN 9780824319069.