Approximant sounds

By Aida Luz Velasquez Mamani

Approximant consonant sounds are made by bringing two articulators close together without them touching as sound leaves the body. The result is a smooth, vowel-like sound. There are four approximant sounds and are described below.

ALVEOLAR APPROXIMANT /r/

BILABIAL APPROXIMANT /W/

PALATAL APPROXIMANT /j/

APPROXIMANT LATERAL ALVEOLAR /l/

+ example: red, run and rugby

+ EXAMPLE: YES, YOU, YELL

+Example: why, week and walk

+ Example: Love, lay and hall

Also called alveolar frictionless continuant The back of the tongue is bunched high so the sides of the tongue touch the back side teeth.

Also called simply the alveolar lateral. The tip of the tongue is pressed against the middle of the tooth ridge and air is allowed to pass freely along the sides of the tongue

Also called palatal frictionless continuant. It is articulated with the middle of the tongue approximating closely to the palate

Also called bilabial frictionless continuant. The sound is formed by the two lips approximating closely but not so close that friction is generated. The air stream then passes through this approximate closure and out of the mouth.

Approximant sounds