bilabiální

Bilabiální is a term used in linguistics to describe a type of consonant articulation where the air stream is directed between the two lips. This type of articulation is found in certain languages around the world, particularly in African languages. The term "bilabiální" comes from the Latin words "bi-" meaning two, and "labium" meaning lip.

In bilabiální consonants, the lips are the primary articulators, and the tongue plays a secondary role. The air stream is constricted between the two lips, creating a narrow channel through which the air passes. This constriction can be complete, as in the case of the bilabial plosive consonants, or partial, as in the case of the bilabial fricative consonants.

Bilabiální consonants are typically classified as either plosives or fricatives. Bilabial plosives are produced by completely blocking the air stream between the lips and then releasing it with a burst of air. Examples of bilabial plosives include the sounds /p/ and /b/ in English. Bilabial fricatives, on the other hand, are produced by partially blocking the air stream between the lips and allowing it to pass through with a hissing sound. An example of a bilabial fricative is the sound /f/ in English.

Bilabiální consonants are an important feature of many languages, and their study is an important area of research in linguistics. The term "bilabiální" is used to describe this type of consonant articulation, and it is an important tool for linguists in their study of the world's languages.