Retrovertedretroflexed

Retrovertedretroflexed is a coined term in phonetic discussion describing a hypothetical tongue posture in which the tongue is simultaneously retroverted (turned toward the back of the mouth) and retroflexed (the tongue tip curled backward toward the palate). The combination suggests a configuration in which both the body of the tongue is retracted and the apex is curled back, potentially producing a unique contact pattern along the palate and alveolar region.

In articulatory terms, retroversion refers to rearward movement of the tongue body, while retroflexion involves curling the tongue tip upward and backward. A retrovertedretroflexed configuration would entail a complex gesture where the dorsum or blade is retracted, and the apex or subapical portion makes a curled contact behind the alveolar ridge. Realizations of such a posture could vary between individuals and contexts, and may be more easily described in articulatory models or simulations than as a commonly observed phonetic category.

The existence and usefulness of this articulation as a phonetic category are not established in mainstream grammars. It is more likely to appear as a theoretical construct, an experimental gesture, or a description within a specialized study of tongue morphologies. If encountered, researchers would typically analyze it with imaging techniques such as ultrasound or palatography to characterize contact patterns and with acoustic analysis to identify any distinctive spectral cues.

See also: retroflex, retroversion, tongue posture, apical vs laminal.