fortlis

Fortlis is a term encountered in linguistic literature to denote a class of consonants believed to be produced with greater articulatory force; the form is not standardized and is not used uniformly across grammars. It often appears as an informal or alternative label for fortis consonants, a traditional category used to describe a contrast with lenis consonants. In languages that preserve a fortis–lenis opposition, fortis consonants are typically described as more tense, having stronger aspiration or voiceless phonation, and sometimes longer duration, though the exact realization varies by language and theoretical framework.

The use of fortlis is most common in historical or descriptive phonology. Some authors treat fortis and fortlis as synonymous, while others distinguish fortlis as a subset or as a stylistic variant of fortis, depending on the analysis. Because the term is not part of a universal standard, it should be interpreted with reference to the definitions given in a particular work.

Cross-linguistic notes: Fortis or fortis-like consonants appear in many languages around the world; the labeling fortlis is less universal and appears primarily in older grammars or in discussions that adopt particular terminologies. In contemporary phonology, terms such as fortis, lenis, aspirated, voiceless, or tense are more common, with fortlis appearing mainly for descriptive clarity in some sources.

See also: Fortis, Lenis, Consonant phonation, Aspiration, Voiceless consonants.