Obstruent

💡 If a sound feels like it "squeezes" the air (like "ssss") it’s an obstruent; if it feels smooth (like "mmmm"), it’s a sonorant. Advanced Phonological Features

Air is blocked completely and then released (e.g., /p, b, t, d, k, g/). obstruent

Air is forced through a narrow passage, creating friction (e.g., /f, v, s, z, ʃ, h/). 💡 If a sound feels like it "squeezes"

In phonetics, obstruents are divided into three main "flavors" based on how the air is managed: In phonetics, obstruents are divided into three main

An obstruent is a speech sound produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract, resulting in a complete or partial blockage that creates noise or friction. Unlike sonorants (such as vowels, nasals, or liquids) which allow air to flow relatively freely, obstruents are defined by their "tight" or "hissy" acoustic properties. Categories of Obstruents