Glottalic Airstream

Definition

A glottalic airstream mechanism refers to sounds that are made with the glottis (or vocal folds) as the initiator of airflow into the upper vocal tract. Sounds that are articulated with this airstream are referred to as ejectives.

Examples

  • Hul’q’umi’num’
    • Suttles (2003) describes all of the glottalized plosives, enclosed in red, as being ejectives in Hul’q’umi’num’. That is, they are articulated with a glottalic airstream mechanism.
Suttles (2003, pp. 3-4).