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The symbolization of central approximants in the IPA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2011

Martin J. Ball  and
Joan Rahilly
Martin J. Ball
Affiliation:
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA mjball@louisiana.edu
Joan Rahilly
Affiliation:
Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland j.rahilly@qub.ac.uk
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Abstract

Approximants that can be considered weaker versions of voiced fricatives (termed here ‘frictionless continuants’) are poorly served by the IPA in terms of symbolization as compared to semi-vowel approximants. In this paper we survey the central approximants and the symbols and diacritics used to transcribe them; we focus on evidence for the use of non-rhotic frictionless continuants in both natural language (by which we mean non-clinical varieties) and disordered speech; and we suggest some possible unitary symbols for those that currently require the use of a hard-to-read lowering diacritic beneath the symbol for the corresponding voiced fricative.

Information

Type
The International Phonetic Alphabet
Information
Journal of the International Phonetic Association , Volume 41 , Issue 2 , August 2011 , pp. 231 - 237
Copyright
Copyright © International Phonetic Association 2011

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