Fonation

Fonation is a term encountered in a minority of sources as an alternative spelling or variant for phonation, the process by which vocal sound is produced through the vibration of the vocal folds in the larynx. In standard phonetics and phonology, the preferred term is phonation; fonation is relatively uncommon and may reflect author preference, typographical variation, or cross-language transcription.

Physiologically, fonation involves the vocal folds coming together (adduction) and vibrating as air from the lungs passes through the glottis under subglottal pressure. The rate and pattern of vibration, determined by vocal-fold tension, mass, and subglottal pressure, set pitch and timbre. The glottal configuration can yield different phonation types such as modal, creaky, or breathy voice.

Modal phonation is the typical voice used in speech; creaky phonation features tight, irregular vibration; breathy phonation has partial glottal closure with audible turbulent air. Mixed or pressed phonation involves greater medial compression. Phonation type can be influenced by physiology, language (overtones), and speaking style.

Clinically, phonation is a central concept in voice assessment, pathology, and therapy. When writers use fonation, they usually intend the same meaning, though it may be flagged as nonstandard in formal linguistic work. Assessments may measure jitter, shimmer, and spectral properties to characterize phonation.

Etymology: from Greek phōn-, genitive phōnē, voice, with the suffix -ation. Note that fonation as a spelling is rare and not universally recognized; most references use phonation.