bilabialiset

Bilabialiset, or the bilabial set, is a linguistic term used to describe the subset of speech sounds produced with both lips. In phonetics and phonology, place of articulation is a primary dimension for classifying consonants, and the bilabial place involves the active action of the lips coming together or approximating to shape the airflow.

The bilabial set typically includes stops, nasals, fricatives, and approximants realized at the bilabial place. Core members in many languages are the voiceless and voiced bilabial stops [p] and [b], and the bilabial nasal [m]. Depending on the language, additional bilabial segments such as fricatives [ɸ], [β], or other bilabial approximants may be present as phonemes or realizations of allophones. The exact size and composition of the bilabial set vary across languages and can be influenced by phonotactics, loanword adaptation, and historical sound change. In some analyses, the approximate [w] is treated as a labial-velar segment rather than purely bilabial, which can affect its inclusion in a strict bilabial inventory.

In practice, the bilabial set is used to compare inventories across languages, to describe articulatory features, and to study typological patterns in consonant systems. The term bilabialiset is relatively rare in English-language phonetics literature; more common alternatives are bilabial consonants or the bilabial segmental set.

Note: The concept emphasizes articulation with both lips rather than the involvement of teeth or the palate, distinguishing bilabials from other places of articulation such as labiodentals, dentals, and velars.