Definition

1. Verb:
   • To pronounce a sound with air escaping through the nose: To articulate a speech sound, typically a vowel or a consonant like /m/, /n/, or /ŋ/, by lowering the soft palate (velum), allowing air to pass through the nasal cavity.
   • To speak with a nasal quality: To talk in a manner where the voice sounds as if it is resonating primarily in the nose.

Usage

• The verb "nasalise" describes a specific action in speech production. It is often used in linguistic, phonetic, or medical contexts. It can be used transitively (with a direct object, e.g., "to nasalise a vowel") or intransitively (without a direct object, e.g., "to nasalise").
• Spelling Note: The primary spelling in American English is "nasalize." The spelling "nasalise" is common in British English and other varieties.

Examples

• Transitive use (with an object):
  • Some languages, like French, nasalise certain vowels.
  • When you have a cold, you tend to nasalise your speech.
• Intransitive use (without an object):
  • The singer was advised not to nasalise during the performance.
  • In that regional accent, speakers nasalise more than in standard speech.

Advanced Usage

• In Phonetics: Nasalisation is a key feature in distinguishing phonemes in many languages. For example, in Portuguese, nasalised vowels are phonemic.
• In Singing Pedagogy: Vocal coaches often instruct singers to avoid nasalising tones to achieve a more open, resonant sound, unless a specific stylistic effect is desired.

Variants and Related Words

• Nasalisation (noun, British English: ; American English: ): The act or result of nasalising; the quality of being nasal.
  • The nasalisation of the vowel changed the word's meaning.
• Nasal (adjective): Of or relating to the nose; characterized by a nasal sound.
  • He has a distinctive nasal voice.
• Denasalise (verb): To remove nasal quality from a sound.
  • After her cold cleared up, her speech denasalised.

Synonyms

• Speak through one's nose: (Informal phrase) To talk with a nasal tone.
• Twang: (Informal, often for a specific sharp nasal quality) To speak with a nasal twang.

Related Phrases

• Nasal consonant: A consonant sound like /m/, /n/, or /ŋ/ produced with a complete oral closure and nasal airflow.
• Nasal vowel: A vowel sound produced with simultaneous oral and nasal airflow.

Verb

1. pronounce with a lowered velum
   • She nasalizes all her vowels
2. speak nasally or through the nose
   • In this part of the country, people tend to nasalize