[+/- continuant]

Definition

The class of sounds that is described by [+/- continuant] include those with no complete closure of the oral cavity, thus resulting in a sustained and “continuing” sound production. Sounds that are considered [+continuant] include fricatives, approximants, vowels and glides.

Sounds that do have some complete closure in the oral cavity are [-continuant], including oral stops, affricates, and nasal stops (Zsiga, 2013, p. 258).

Examples