Labial

Definition

Labial

The term labial refers to any sound that is made with the lower lips as the active articulator (Zsiga, 2013). There are two possible constriction points made with the lower lips: bilabial and labiodential. These are both further defined below.

  • Bilabial: bilabial place of articulation refers to sound which are made through the lower lip (active) and upper lip (passive) coming together to make a constriction.
  • Labiodental: labiodental sounds are made with constriction at the lower lip (active) and the upper teeth (passive).

Example

  • Hul’q’umi’num’: The phonemes enclosed in red are examples with a labial place of articulation in Hul’q’umi’num’, including bilabial and labiodental sounds.
Suttles (2004)
  • Skwxwú7mesh: The phonemes enclosed in red are examples of sounds with a bilabial place of articulation found in Skwxwú7mesh
Dyck (2004)
  • Secwepemctsin: the sounds enclosed in red are consonants with a labial place of articulation in Secwepemctsin. All sounds are bilabial.
Gibson (1973)