kortikálních

Kortikálních is a term used in linguistics, specifically in phonetics and phonology, to describe speech sounds produced with the blade of the tongue against the hard palate. These sounds are also known as laminal post-alveolar or palato-alveolar consonants. The key characteristic is that the main point of articulation involves the surface of the tongue just behind the tip, contacting the palate.

Examples of kortikálních sounds in English include the 'sh' sound in "ship" /ʃ/ and the 'ch' sound in "church" /tʃ/. These sounds are formed by obstructing airflow at the post-alveolar region, either by a complete closure followed by a release (for affricates like /tʃ/) or by narrowing the passage to create friction (for fricatives like /ʃ/). The exact position of the tongue and the degree of constriction can vary slightly between languages and speakers, leading to subtle phonetic differences.

Kortikálních consonants are part of a broader classification of consonants based on their place of articulation. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for phoneticians and phonologists when analyzing speech sounds, transcribing them accurately, and studying language variation and acquisition. The term itself derives from the Latin word "cortex," referring to the outer layer or rind, hinting at the surface of the tongue involved in producing these sounds.