[+/- lateral]

Definition

The class of sounds that are captured by [+lateral] include sounds that are articulated with a closure in the vocal tract along the centre but an opening in the vocal tract along the side (Zsiga, 2013, p. 259). Sounds that are [+lateral] include “l-sounds,” such as lateral fricatives and approximants. All other sounds are [-lateral].

Examples

  • Hul’q’umi’num’
    • The following phonemes enclosed in blue are possible members of the [+lateral] natural class in Hul’q’umi’num’.
Adapted from Suttles (2003).
  • Skwxwú7mesh
    • The following phonemes enclosed in blue are possible members of the [+lateral] natural class in Skwxwú7mesh.
Adapted from Dyck (2004).
  • Secwepemctsín
    • The following phonemes enclosed in blue are possible members of the [+lateral] natural class in Secwepemctsín.
Adapted from Gibson (1973).