Definition

Noun: A guttural consonant is a speech sound produced by constricting airflow in the back of the mouth or in the throat. These sounds are typically articulated with the back of the tongue against or near the soft palate (velum), the uvula, or the pharynx.

Usage

The term is used in phonetics and linguistics to classify and describe specific types of consonant sounds based on their place of articulation. It is an academic descriptor.

Examples

• The sounds represented by the German "ch" in "Bach" or the Arabic letter "ع" (ayn) are classic examples of guttural consonants.
• In some languages, a series of guttural consonants can give the language a distinctive sound quality.
• The phonetician explained the difference between velar, uvular, and pharyngeal guttural consonants.

Advanced Usage

• Guttural as an adjective is more commonly used than the noun phrase "guttural consonant" in general language to describe a deep, harsh, or throaty sound quality.
  • He let out a guttural roar of anger.

Variants and Related Words

• Guttural (adjective): Pertaining to or produced in the throat; having a harsh, grating quality.
  • a guttural voice
• Velar consonant: A consonant articulated with the back of the tongue against the soft palate (e.g., /k/, /g/, /ŋ/ as in "sing"). This is a specific type of guttural consonant.
• Uvular consonant: A consonant articulated with the back of the tongue against or near the uvula (e.g., the French "r").
• Pharyngeal consonant: A consonant articulated in the pharynx (e.g., the Arabic "ح" (ḥāʾ) and "ع" (ayn)).

Synonyms

• Throaty consonant
• Dorsal consonant (in some linguistic contexts, referring to sounds made with the back of the tongue)

Related Phrases

• Guttural speech: Speech characterized by an abundance of guttural sounds.
• Place of articulation: The point in the vocal tract where a consonant sound is produced. "Guttural" describes a general region for this.

Noun

1. a consonant articulated in the back of the mouth or throat