Voiced labial–retroflex plosive

Voiced labial–retroflex plosive
ɖ͡b

A voiced labial–retroflex plosive is a type of consonantal sound used in the Yele language. It is a [ɖ] and [b] pronounced simultaneously. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨ɖ͡b⟩. Para-IPA ⟨ḍ͡b⟩ is also seen.

Features

Features of a voiced labial–retroflex plosive are:

• Its manner of articulation is occlusive, which means it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract. Since the consonant is also oral, with no nasal outlet, it is a plosive.
• Its place of articulation is labial–retroflex, which means that it is simultaneously articulated with the front part or underside of the tongue against the palate, and the lips.

• Its phonation is voiced, which means the vocal cords vibrate during the articulation.
• It is an oral consonant, which means that air is not allowed to escape through the nose.
• It is a median consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream down the midline of the tongue, rather than to the sides.
• Its airstream mechanism is pulmonic, which means it is articulated by pushing air only with the intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles, as in most speech sounds.

Occurrence

Language	Dialect	Word	IPA	Meaning	Notes
Yele		dpênêdpênê	[ʈ͡pəɳəɖ͡bəɳə]	'coughing'	Voiced between vowels. Contrasts voiced labial–alveolar plosive.
		ngmêdpî	[ŋ͡məɖ͡bɯ]