constriction (n.)

A general term used in ARTICULATORY PHONETICS to refer to a narrowing within the VOCAL TRACT. The different kinds and degrees of constriction are the basis of the articulatory classification of sound QUALITIES. The term constricted is sometimes used in a restricted sense, referring to GLOTTALIZED sounds or the GLOTTIS with narrow aperture (opposed to SPREAD). ‘Constriction’ has developed a central role in PHONOLOGICAL theory, especially in some models of FEATURE GEOMETRY. A constriction model aims to unify the description of VOCOIDS (VOWELS and GLIDES) and CONSONANTS in terms of their characteristic constriction, defined by the parameters of constriction degree (a CONTINUANT node for consonants and an APERTURE node for vocoids) and constriction location (a PLACE node, represented by ‘C-place’ for consonants and ‘V-place’ for vocoids, and defined in terms of the active articulator involved). Constrictions are represented by a separate node in the feature HIERARCHY, and degree and location are separate nodes linked under the constriction node. The definition of DORSAL, for example (involving a constriction formed by the back of the TONGUE) is equally applicable to consonants and vocoids, thus avoiding the ‘two-mouth’ descriptions of traditional approaches. The three main types of correspondence proposed are: between LABIAL consonants and ROUNDED or labialized vocoids; between CORONAL consonants and FRONT vocoids; and between dorsal consonants and BACK vocoids.