Re: THEORY: clicks

On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 10:46:29 -0300, FFlores <fflores@...> wrote:

>I'm having trouble feeling sure about the names I've
>given to some sounds in my latest lang, Xkanxey
>(<x> =3D /s./, retroflex "s"). I have two sounds that
>seem to be clicks, which I transliterate <c> and <f!>.
>
><c> is produced by placing the tip of the tongue against
>the (post)alveolar zone, then rarifying the air behind it
>so that it "pulls" the tongue backwards, and then releasing
>it. I'm quite sure this is a click. Am I right?
Probably. Clicks are velar ingressive sounds, with a closure at the back =
of
the mouth (usually velar; could also be uvular). You should be able to
breathe or hum at the same time as making a click.

><f!> is produced in a similar way, but with the upper
>teeth placed in the inner side of the lower lip. When
>the lip and the teeth split apart, there's something
>I'd call a click, but also a kind of sibilant sound,
>like a buzz. I called this a labiodental click. Is it
>correct? Does such a sound even exist in any natlang?
I don't know of any, but it seems reasonable to call it a labiodental
click.


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