okklusive

Okklusive is a term used in phonetics and phonology to denote occlusive consonants, primarily appearing in German-language literature. The word derives from the concept of occlusion, a complete or near-complete constriction of the vocal tract that momentarily blocks the airstream before its release. In German descriptions, okklusivlaute or Okklusive consonants typically refer to stops and affricates, and sometimes to related series within broader occlusion-based analyses.

In English-language usage, the same category is usually called occlusives or plosives. The term okklusive thus functions as a cross-lertilization of linguistic nomenclature, appearing mainly in bilingual glosses or when translating German phonetic material. The core idea is that occlusives involve a closure at a place of articulation, followed by a rapid release that produces a characteristic burst of sound.

Subtypes and features commonly associated with okklusive consonants include stops (plosives) and affricates, with voicing able to be either present or absent. Many languages exhibit contrasts among voiceless and voiced occlusives, and some traditions distinguish aspirated and unaspirated variants. In broader analyses, certain frameworks also discuss nasal occlusives or regard nasals as a related but distinct class within the occlusive domain.

Overview and context: Okklusive is best understood as a regional nomenclature for a universally recognized category in phonetics. When teaching or consulting English-language sources, instructors typically substitute occlusive or plosive for clarity, while acknowledging the German-origin term in cross-linguistic discussions.