Velar meaning

Velar refers to sounds produced by raising the back of the tongue towards the soft palate.


Velar definitions

Word backwards ralev
Part of speech The word "velar" can function as an adjective.
Syllabic division ve-lar
Plural The plural of the word "velar" is "velars."
Total letters 5
Vogais (2) e,a
Consonants (3) v,l,r

Velar sounds are a type of consonant sound that is produced with the back of the tongue against or near the velum, which is the soft part of the roof of the mouth towards the back. The velum is also known as the soft palate. Velar sounds are found in many languages around the world and are an important part of the phonetic inventory of those languages.

Types of Velar Sounds

There are several types of velar sounds, including the velar nasal, velar approximant, and velar plosive. The most commonly known velar sound is the "k" sound in English, as in the word "kite." This sound is produced at the velar place of articulation. The velar nasal sound is produced when the velum is lowered, allowing air to pass through the nose, as in the English word "sing."

Articulation of Velar Sounds

Velar sounds are articulated when the back part of the tongue makes contact with the soft palate, or velum. This contact blocks the airflow through the oral cavity, creating a sound. Velar sounds can be voiced or voiceless, depending on whether the vocal cords are vibrating.

Velar Sounds in Different Languages

Velar sounds are found in many languages around the world, including English, Spanish, Russian, and many others. In some languages, such as Russian, velar sounds are more common and play a significant role in the phonological system of the language.

In conclusion, velar sounds are an important type of consonant sound that is produced with the back of the tongue against the soft palate. These sounds are found in many languages and play a crucial role in the phonetic inventory of those languages.


Velar Examples

  1. The velar consonant sound "k" is produced by raising the back of the tongue to the soft palate.
  2. In phonetics, the velar nasal sound "ŋ" is commonly found in words like "sing" and "ring".
  3. Some languages, like Arabic, have a velar fricative sound represented by the letter "غ".
  4. The velar plosive sound "g" is produced by raising the back of the tongue against the soft palate.
  5. Velar consonants are produced in the back of the mouth, behind the hard palate and the alveolar ridge.
  6. The velar approximant sound "w" is produced by rounding the lips while raising the back of the tongue.
  7. In English, the sound "ng" in words like "song" is produced as a velar nasal consonant.
  8. The velar lateral approximant sound "ʟ" is a rare sound found in some African and Native American languages.
  9. Some dialects of English exhibit a velarization of the "l" sound, particularly in words like "milk".
  10. Velar consonants are characterized by the articulation of the tongue against the soft part of the roof of the mouth.


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  • Updated 30/03/2024 - 17:37:25